The 18th Edition wiring regulations are the controlling document for electrical installations in the UK, and adhering to them is essential for the safe management of electrical installations. There are many key requirements within the regulations and one of them is surge protection and the use of surge protection devices. In this guide we will explain what surge protection is, what surge protection devices are and how the 18th Edition regulations control their use.
What is surge protection?
Surge protection is a type of safety mechanism that is used to control the electrical hazard caused by a sudden and temporary increase in voltage or current. This type of power spike can be caused by many things and is quite common. Such a sudden surge in electrical voltage or current can damage electrical equipment and injure users. Surge protection devices, therefore, protect against such power surges by diverting excess voltage or current to earth, or to a safe location in a circuit.
A surge protection device is usually a type of plug or socket and is most commonly found in heavy duty industrial systems such as power distribution panels, communications systems and process control systems. This is where power surges carry the most risk. There are three types of surge protection devices, known as Type 1, Type 2 and Type 3. Type 1 devices are usually installed at the point of entry into a building, Type 2 devices are installed at the distribution board and Type 3 devices are designed to protect individual pieces of equipment and therefore are installed directly on the equipment.
How surge protection devices are controlled by the 18th edition wiring regulations
Importantly, the 18th Edition regulations enforce the need for surge protection devices in an installation where the consequences of a power spike could be significant. These mandatory requirements include:
- Where there could be serious injury or loss of life
- Where there could be an interruption to public services
- Where a power surge could damage cultural heritage
- Where there could be an interruption to commercial or industrial activity
- Where there could be an impact on a significant number of co-located individuals
The regulations also stipulate that where an installation isn’t covered by these mandatory requirements listed above, a risk assessment must be carried out to determine the need for surge protection devices.
More generally, the 18th Edition regulations stipulate specific requirements for the use of surge protection devices, these include:
- A qualified electrical contractor must install surge protection devices
- Proper inspection and testing of surge protection devices is required to ensure safe and efficient operation
- Surge protection devices should be regularly inspected and maintained
- The design of surge protection devices must ensure the prevention of any electrical hazards or risks to the user
Safe installation of surge protection devices
Surge protection devices need to be safe, efficient and reliable, so choosing the right type of device is essential. This decision should be based on factors such as the type of system, the location and the type of power load. The stipulation in the 18th Edition regulations to use qualified electrical contractors safeguards this process and ensures the right device is chosen and is correctly installed and maintained. The 18th Edition regulations also offer guidelines for the regular maintenance and inspection of surge protection devices, which is essential for ensuring their ongoing safe and efficient operation.
Please note that this section is for information purposes only. Anyone using equipment referred to in this section must be suitably qualified and/or experienced within the respective field. If in doubt before use, please consult a qualified electrician or engineer & thoroughly read all instruction booklets.