ChatGPT and AS/NZS 3000: what's safe to hand to AI, and what stays with you

Why the Wiring Rules matter more than usual

AI tools may have learnt from older editions, older amendments or forum posts. That matters more than usual right now.

• NZ: the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 require low and extra-low voltage installations to comply with AS/NZS 3000 (regulation 59), and some installation types must also meet other standards (regulation 60). See the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 (opens in a new tab).
• NZ edition change: WorkSafe NZ says that from 13 November 2026, electrical workers must use AS/NZS 3000:2018 including amendments 1, 2 and 3, and that Certificates of Compliance must refer to the cited version used, including the year and amendments. See WorkSafe NZ's low voltage electrical installations page (opens in a new tab).
• NZ licensing: EWRB says all electrical workers must hold a practising licence to carry out prescribed electrical work. See EWRB's practising licence page (opens in a new tab).
• Victoria: Energy Safe Victoria lists AS/NZS 3000 as referenced in Victoria's electricity safety regulations and expects compliance with the current version of a referenced standard. See Standards in Victoria's energy safety laws (opens in a new tab).
• Queensland and other states and territories: check your state regulator for the current rules and the version of the Wiring Rules they cite.

What AI is safe for (green list)

Use AI for words and organising, built on your own findings.

• Writing customer emails, quotes and explanations in plain English (e.g. why their old board needs an upgrade), from your findings. See explain options.
• Turning your test notes or voice notes into tidy job notes. You check every reading.
• Pointing you to where to look in AS/NZS 3000, as long as you then open the book.
• Explaining a concept in plain words to an apprentice, as a starting point you check.
• Making checklists and reminders from your own procedures.
• Drafting SWMS or JSA starters for you to complete. See H&S paperwork.

What stays with you (red list)

These are yours as the licensed worker. Don't hand them to AI.

• Any compliance decision: "does this comply?"
• Values: cable sizing, voltage drop, maximum demand, earth fault loop impedance, RCD requirements, clearances and zones.
• Design, isolation, safe work methods, and anything live.
• Test results, certificates (CoC and ESC in NZ, state certificates in Australia) and sign-off.
• Anything that quotes the standard back to you as if it were the text. AI can make up wording and clause references that look real.

⚠️ Why: AI predicts likely-sounding words. It doesn't read your copy of the standard, may have learnt from old editions or forum posts, and won't tell you it's guessing unless you make it.

The "show me the clause" prompt

This prompt makes AI give you a to-check list instead of an answer.

Copy this prompt and fill in the [square brackets]:

I'm a licensed [NZ/Australian] electrician. I will check everything you say in my own copy of AS/NZS 3000:[edition and amendments I use] and the rules in [NZ / my state]. Question: [your question, with the installation type and situation].
Rules for your answer:
1. Tell me which part and clause of AS/NZS 3000 to look at for each point, written as a reference only, e.g. "see [clause number]". Do not quote or paraphrase the standard's wording.
2. If you are not sure of a clause number, say "not sure, look in the section on [topic]" instead of guessing.
3. Tell me if the answer depends on the edition, an amendment, a state or NZ rule, or another standard.
4. List any values as "check in the standard" rather than giving a number.
5. End with a list of every reference you gave, so I can tick them off in the book.

Tip: Treat its list as a to-check list, not an answer. If a clause doesn't say what AI claimed, or doesn't exist, bin the whole answer and look it up yourself. Safety-critical topics like RCDs are exactly where you check twice.

Check-it routine

Every time AI gives you a reference:

1. Open your current copy of AS/NZS 3000 (and amendments).
2. Find each [clause number] AI gave you.
3. Read the clause yourself. Does it say what AI claimed? Tick or cross.
4. Any cross means you start again from the book, not from AI.
5. Check any NZ regulation or state rule separately with the regulator.

Tip: More on this habit: check AI answers and safe AI habits.

Getting a copy of the standard

AS/NZS 3000 is a copyright document. For access options, check with Standards New Zealand or Standards Australia, or your employer, association or training provider.

Don't paste large chunks of it into AI tools. It's copyright material, and pasting it in is no guarantee AI reads it correctly. See is ChatGPT safe for business data.

Tip: See which AI jobs suit a sparky's business: take the free quiz and choose Electrician.

Can I use ChatGPT to check if my work complies with AS/NZS 3000?

No. Use it to find where to look, then check the clause in your own copy. Compliance and sign-off are yours as the licensed worker.

Why does ChatGPT get Wiring Rules answers wrong?

It predicts likely-sounding text. It may have learnt from older editions or forum posts, and it can invent clause references that look real.

Can AI quote the standard for me?

Don't rely on it. AS/NZS 3000 is copyright, and AI "quotes" can be made up. Read the clause in the book.

Which edition should I check against?

The one your regulator requires. In NZ, WorkSafe NZ says electrical workers must use AS/NZS 3000:2018 including amendments 1, 2 and 3 from 13 November 2026. In Australia, check your state or territory regulator.

Is it OK to use AI for customer emails and quotes?

Yes. That's where it's most useful. Give it your findings, and check the draft before it goes out. See AI prompts for electricians.

Can a homeowner use ChatGPT to do their own electrical work?

No. Electrical work must be done by people licensed for it. For any homeowner rules, check with WorkSafe NZ or your state regulator, and get a licensed electrician.