Electrical installations are controlled by very tight regulations due to their hazardous nature and the risks that are involved in working on them and using them. The British Standard BS 7671 is the primary regulatory document in the UK. This is formally known as the “Requirements for electrical installations – IET Wiring Regulations – 18th Edition.” Most electricians refer to the document as the ‘wiring regs’, while it is also informally known as the ‘18th Edition’, because that denotes it is the most recent edition.
This controlling document was first issued in 1882 as an attempt to regulate the electrical installations sector, and the 18th Edition of the wiring regs was issued in July 2018. It superseded the previous 17th Edition wiring regs, which were published in 2008, and amended in 2011, 2013 and 2015. Changes to the regulations are usually based on technological advancements and new safety requirements which have been identified in the intervening years. And the regulations are therefore modified to ensure they suitably cover, reflect and moderate current practice across the sector in the UK.
What are the changes in the 18th edition compared to the 17th edition?
When the 18th Edition was released in 2018, it contained an additional 64 pages compared to the previous 17th Edition. It also increased the scope of the document, with it now including a section on electrical shore connections for inland navigation vessels. And while there were some minor changes to chapter numbering and definitions used within the document, the most important changes can be summarised as:
- Arc fault Detection Devices – These are a relatively new circuit breaker safety device in the UK, but have been standard for many years in the US and Canada. Their increased use in the UK merited inclusion in the new regulations, so that knowledge and use can be standardised.
- RCD protection – Standard practice was changed to reflect that recommended RCD protection from electric shock in sockets has been increased from 20A to 32A.
- Maximum disconnection times – Final circuits can now be powered up to 63A with one or more socket outlets. Those circuits supplying fixed connected current-using equipment are now allowed to reach 32A.
- Energy efficiency – The electrical installation industry now reflects wider society in generally encouraging the use of less electricity. Appendix 17 recommends that the design and installation of circuits should be more energy efficient.
- Over-voltage protection – This is a new section in addition to surge protection, and states that over-voltage protection should be used where a risk assessment has determined there is a potential for loss of life or an interruption to public services.
- Protection and safety – In Part 4 of the regs, there is a removal of the need to apply bonding in metallic pipes and points of entry, this is on the provision that there is appropriate protection from another form of insulation, for example plastic.
While these are the main summarised differences between the 17th and 18th Editions of the wiring regs, electrical installers have a duty to study the regulations in detail and undergo formal training in order to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the new regs, and to confirm they are proficient in working to this latest and most current version. This requirement is the same for every new edition of the regulations.
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.