Electrical Standards Compliance - Ceiling Fan Installation

[PegZ]

I have installed a number of combination light/ceiling fans in my home over the years. Some are the manual "pull switch" type - 1 pull switch for the light and a 3-speed pull switch for the fan. Others come with a remote for fan light control.
This week I learned that the light switch that the ceiling fan connects to should be a double pole type that switches both the live and neutral wires to the light/fan, and to get up to code I will need to replace all the light switches that the light/fans connect to. Can someone please confirm if it is a requirement to change the light switch, and if possible, explain why?
I have never seen a hint or other indication on any installation papers that fan/light combo's actually needed different light switches?

 

[krieg]

6.16.1.3 Where a fan or heater is included in a luminaire, the luminaire is regarded as a fixed appliance. If the luminaire circuit is protected by an earth leakage protection device that has a rated earth leakage tripping current (rated residual current) I∆n not exceeding 30 mA, a disconnector is not required (see 6.9.3.1).

6.16.1.4 The disconnecting device shall be positioned a) within 1,5 m from the appliance, or b) in a distribution board (if the switch-disconnector is capable of being locked in the open position).Even where a disconnecting device is on the appliance, a separate disconnecting device shall be provided in the fixed installation to allow for the total removal of the appliance.

NOTE A standard switch is not a switch-disconnector.

That is the relevant section. Are your lights on a RCD?

 

[PegZ]

6.16.1.3 Where a fan or heater is included in a luminaire, the luminaire is regarded as a fixed appliance. If the luminaire circuit is protected by an earth leakage protection device that has a rated earth leakage tripping current (rated residual current) I∆n not exceeding 30 mA, a disconnector is not required (see 6.9.3.1).

6.16.1.4 The disconnecting device shall be positioned a) within 1,5 m from the appliance, or b) in a distribution board (if the switch-disconnector is capable of being locked in the open position).Even where a disconnecting device is on the appliance, a separate disconnecting device shall be provided in the fixed installation to allow for the total removal of the appliance.

NOTE A standard switch is not a switch-disconnector.

That is the relevant section. Are your lights on a RCD?

Hi krieg, thanx for the info. The lights are all on standard breakers, there is only the one standard earth leakage breaker in the DB.

 

[PegZ]

Just move the light circuits to the earth leakage as well

Well, that's news! I was under the impression that the whole house is wired via the earth leakage !? Maybe I'll install another just for the lights. The one that's in there is like 36 years old anyway...