Class 3A & 3B | Design Up to 132kV
Accredited Service Provider Level 3
Wilken is a Level 3 Accredited Service Provider delivering medium and high voltage electrical design services across Sydney and NSW. With Class 3A and 3B accreditation (#5948), our in-house engineers design overhead and underground distribution network assets for systems up to 132kV.
As one of the few providers in NSW holding ASP Level 1, 2, and 3 accreditations, Wilken offers a genuine turnkey solution, from Level 3 design and DNSP certification through to Level 1 construction and energisation, all delivered by our own workforce with no subcontractors.
Our Level 3 ASP Services
Wilken’s Level 3 ASP team designs distribution network infrastructure for commercial, industrial, and government projects across Sydney and NSW. Our design capability spans the full range of contestable distribution and sub-transmission assets up to 132kV, including:
Overhead Network Design
Design of overhead distribution and sub-transmission infrastructure including timber, concrete, and steel power pole lines up to 132kV. This covers new installations, asset relocations for development or road works, and network augmentation. Our designs address conductor selection, clearance compliance, pole loading calculations, and coordination with telecommunications and other co-located assets.
Underground Network Design
Design of underground cable reticulation systems including high voltage and low voltage networks, ducted and direct-buried configurations, and transition points between overhead and underground infrastructure. Our underground designs address cable sizing, route selection, thermal de-rating, trenching specifications, and coordination with civil infrastructure.
Substation Design
Design of zone, chamber, and padmount kiosk substations for distribution and sub-transmission applications. This includes transformer selection and sizing, protection coordination, earthing grid design, high voltage switchgear configuration, and integration with the broader distribution network.
Switchgear and Ring Main Unit Design
Design and specification of high voltage switchboards, ring main units (RMUs), and source measure units (SMUs) for medium voltage distribution switching and protection. Our designs cover equipment selection, protection relay coordination, and compliance with DNSP construction standards.
Street and Public Lighting Design
Streetscape lighting design for roads, pathways, parks, car parks, and public spaces. This includes new lighting installations, upgrades and modernisations, relocations for development or infrastructure works, and compliance with council and DNSP lighting standards. We also design traffic signal installations and sports field lighting.
High Voltage Cable Systems
Design of high and low voltage cable systems including cable jointing, pot end seals, T-jointing, paper-lead jointing, and cable testing requirements. Our designs address cable termination specifications, substation fit-off details, and compliance with DNSP cable standards for both new installations and modifications to existing infrastructure.
The Level 3 ASP Design Process
Understanding how a Level 3 ASP design project progresses helps project managers and developers plan timelines and budgets effectively. While each project is unique, the process generally follows these stages:
1. Connection Application and Method of Supply
Every project starts with a connection application to the relevant DNSP (Ausgrid, Endeavour Energy, or Essential Energy). The DNSP assesses network capacity, available connection points, fault levels, and any required augmentation work, then issues a Method of Supply (MoS) document. This document sets the technical boundaries for the project and should be reviewed carefully with your Level 3 ASP designer to confirm it aligns with site constraints, staging requirements, and future load growth.
2. Detailed Design and Documentation
With the MoS in hand, the Level 3 ASP designer prepares the detailed electrical design package. This includes single-line diagrams, cable route plans, substation layouts, protection coordination studies, earthing calculations, and construction specifications, all in accordance with the relevant DNSP’s construction standards and specifications, NSW Service and Installation Rules, and applicable Australian Standards.
3. DNSP Design Certification
The completed design package is submitted to the DNSP for certification review. The DNSP checks the design against their technical standards, network requirements, and the original Method of Supply. This is a collaborative process, experienced Level 3 ASP designers maintain ongoing dialogue with the DNSP during certification to resolve technical queries efficiently and avoid costly redesign cycles.
4. Construction by ASP Level 1
Once the design is certified, construction can commence. The certified design is handed to an ASP Level 1 contractor for construction. This is where Wilken’s integrated model creates a significant advantage, because our Level 1 construction team works alongside our Level 3 designers, there is no handoff delay, no misinterpretation of design intent, and no finger-pointing between separate organisations if issues arise on site.
5. Testing, Commissioning, and Energisation
After construction, the new assets are tested and commissioned before being energised and connected to the live network. Wilken’s Level 3 designers remain engaged throughout construction and commissioning to respond to any technical queries, validate site adjustments, and support as-built documentation.
The Wilken Advantage: Design and Construction Under One Roof
Most Level 3 ASP providers are design-only firms. They prepare the drawings, submit them for DNSP certification, and hand the certified package to a separate ASP Level 1 contractor for construction. This creates a gap, between the designer’s intent and the constructor’s interpretation, that often leads to delays, cost overruns, and construction queries that bounce between organisations.
Wilken eliminates this gap entirely.
As an ASP Level 1, 2, and 3 accredited provider with a 90-person in-house workforce (including 35+ qualified Level 1 electricians), Wilken delivers the complete project lifecycle under one roof:
- Level 3 design — in-house engineers prepare and certify the design package
- Level 1 construction — our own workforce builds exactly what was designed, with direct access to the design team
- Level 2 connection — final service connections handled by our accredited Level 2 team
- No subcontractors — every person on your project is a Wilken employee, fully accountable
This integrated approach means faster project delivery, fewer construction queries, reduced risk of redesign, and a single point of accountability from application through to energisation.
Who Needs a Level 3 ASP?
A Level 3 ASP is required whenever a project involves the design of new or modified electrical distribution network assets in NSW. This typically applies to:
- Commercial and industrial developers requiring new high voltage supply connections, substation installations, or network augmentation for large-scale buildings, warehouses, or manufacturing facilities
- Infrastructure and civil contractors managing road widening, tunnel construction, or major public works that require relocation or modification of existing overhead or underground electrical assets
- Government agencies and councils commissioning streetscape upgrades, public lighting installations, or precinct-level electrical infrastructure for new developments
- Renewable energy developers requiring grid connection design for solar farms, battery storage facilities, or embedded generation systems connecting to the distribution network
- ASP Level 1 contractors seeking a reliable Level 3 design partner to produce certified design packages for their construction projects
- Project managers and principal contractors looking for a single provider that can handle both design and construction to simplify procurement and reduce interface risk
If your project requires a connection to or modification of the NSW electricity distribution network, you almost certainly need a Level 3 ASP. Engaging one early, ideally before lodging your development application, allows for concept-level design input that can avoid costly redesign later in the project.
Our Level 3 ASP Credentials
| Credential | Detail |
|---|---|
| ASP Accreditation Number | #5948 |
| Accreditation Classes | Class 3A and 3B |
| Design Voltage Range | Up to 132kV |
| DNSP Accreditations | [CONFIRM with client] |
| Additional ASP Levels | ASP Level 1 (Grade A) and ASP Level 2 (Grade A, #1727) |
| Quality Management | ISO 9001:2015 certified |
| Environmental Management | ISO 14001:2015 certified |
| Safety Management | ISO 45001:2018 certified |
| Industry Membership | NECA member — National Winner 2018, State Finalist 2024 |
| Experience | 40+ years, 2,000+ completed projects across commercial, industrial, and infrastructure sectors |
| Workforce | 90 in-house employees including 35+ Level 1 qualified electricians. No subcontractors. |
Our Level 3 ASP personnel hold National Professional Engineer Registration (NPER) in Electrical Engineering through Engineers Australia, with demonstrated industry experience in electricity reticulation system design and working knowledge of DNSP construction standards and specifications. View our full certifications and accreditations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Level 3 ASP do?
A Level 3 Accredited Service Provider designs and documents electrical distribution network assets for connection to NSW’s electricity networks. This includes detailed engineering design of overhead power lines, underground cable systems, substations, switchgear, earthing systems, and public lighting, all in accordance with the relevant DNSP’s construction standards and applicable Australian Standards.
What is the difference between a Level 3 ASP and a Level 1 ASP?
A Level 3 ASP handles the design and documentation of network assets. A Level 1 ASP handles the physical construction of those assets. In most projects, you need a Level 3 designer to produce a certified design, and a Level 1 contractor to build it. Wilken holds both accreditations, allowing us to manage design and construction as a single, integrated service.
What is a Level 3 electrician?
The term “Level 3 electrician” is commonly used to refer to a Level 3 ASP. However, unlike Level 1 and Level 2 ASPs who perform physical electrical work, Level 3 accreditation specifically relates to electrical engineering design, not construction. Level 3 ASP personnel are typically qualified electrical engineers registered with Engineers Australia, holding National Professional Engineer Registration (NPER) in Electrical Engineering.
What is the difference between Class 3A and Class 3B?
Class 3A covers the design of overhead distribution network assets, power poles, conductors, overhead service lines, and associated infrastructure. Class 3B covers the design of underground distribution network assets, underground cable systems, substations, switchgear, and associated civil infrastructure. Wilken holds both Class 3A and Class 3B accreditations, covering the full scope of Level 3 ASP design work.
