Let's put up the first 3 clauses of 6.12.3.2 so that everyone is on the same page:
6.12.3.2 The following conductive parts do not need to be earthed:
a) short unexposed lengths of metallic wireway used to protect wiring as it
passes through a building element;
c)* exposed conductive parts of fixed electrical equipment that are
1) out of arm's reach from the floor (or walking) level,
2) out of arm's reach from a structure that is bonded to earth, and
3) not exposed to the weather or to the condensation, dripping, splashing or accumulation of water, and
4) not touching a conductive surface;
c) conductive parts that cannot be touched by the standard test finger;
(* posted as found. I assume this is a typo and should actually be b))
However, most are exposed to weather...
To my mind this entire discussion underlines the fundamental problem the industry faces with the standards -
The science, engineering and safety principles must inform the standards - no argument there. However, having been made prescriptive and with (potentially severe) penalties for non-compliance with the standard, any weakness in the wording of the standard resulting in the contractor failing to comply with the letter of the standard based on a safety argument becomes a significant risk to the contractor.
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