Electrical Contracting 2016

Amendment Number 3 to BS7671:2008

Iain Jamieson of WES Electrical provides us with a look ahead at the proposals of Amendment 3 to BS 7671:2008 Requirements for Electrical Installations � and the resulting changes on the design, erection and verification of electrical installations.

Introduction

The National Wiring Regulations Committee, JPEL 64, will confirm changes to BS 7671:2008 by 1 November 2014. The Draft for Public Comment (DPC), which sets out the proposed changes, was made available for comment 14 December 2013 and 7 March 2014.

I outline the draft proposals below. It�s important to note although I refer to the changes in the affirmative, they remain proposals (despite the comment period being closed) and not all of the proposals may be included in the final version of Amendment Number 3 - inclusion of proposals is at the discretion of JPEL 64.

Part 2 Definitions

Definitions will be expanded and modified. For example, the definition for �skilled and instructed persons� will be changed. It was also decided that the definition for a �competent person� should be removed, to avoid confusion, as it was considered that some overlap existed between the definition of �skilled person� and �competent person�.

It was proposed to modify the definition of �skilled person� to align this definition with that of the IEV (International Electrotechnical Vocabulary). The Committee also proposed to modify the definition of �instructed person� for the same purpose.

These changes will be reflected throughout the wiring regulations. For example, Regulation 134.1.1 has been changed from:

"Good workmanship by competent persons or persons under their supervision and proper materials shall be used in the erection of the electrical installation. Electrical equipment shall be installed in accordance with the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the equipment."

to:

"Good workmanship by skilled (electrically) or instructed (electrically) persons and proper materials shall be used in the erection of the electrical installation. The installation of electrical equipment shall take account of manufacturers� instructions."

Some new symbols have been included in the definitions.

Chapter 52 Selection and Erection of Wiring Cables

Cables concealed in a wall or partition

The Regulations for the selection and erection of wiring systems (impact) will be redrafted, with the removal of all references to �under the supervision of skilled and instructed persons�.

It will be a requirement that cables that are concealed in a wall or partition (at a depth of less than 50 mm) are protected by a 30 mA RCD for all installations if other methods of protection, including the use of cables with either an earthed metallic covering or mechanical protection, are not employed. This will apply to a cable, irrespective of the depth of that cable, in a partition where the construction of the partition includes metallic parts other than fixings.

The exception for cables that form part of a SELV or PELV circuit will be retained.

Section 557 Auxiliary Circuits

A new section, Section 557, covering auxiliary circuits for low voltage electrical installations will be included. Auxiliary circuits are defined as circuits for the transmission of signals intended for the detection, supervision or control of the functional status of a main circuit, such as circuits for control, signalling and measurement. Auxiliary circuits for fire and intruder alarms, traffic lights, etc (where specific standards exist) are excluded. This is a completely new section. The current requirements for auxiliary circuits in BS 7671 are given in Regulation 537.5.3 (extract below):

"537.5.3 A circuit shall be designed, arranged and protected to limit dangers resulting from a fault between the control circuit and other conductive parts liable to cause malfunction (eg inadvertent operation) of the controlled equipment."

Section 557 will cover issues such as:

A.c. or d.c. auxiliary circuits;

power supplies for auxiliary circuits, depending on the main circuit;
auxiliary circuits supplied by an independent source;
protection against overcurrent; types and sizes of cables for auxiliary circuits;
special requirements for auxiliary circuits that are used for measurement; and
functional safety and EMC;
the connection of the devices and protection against overcurrent where the auxiliary circuit is supplied from the main circuit via a transformer or rectifier;
circuits used for measurement, such as connection requirements for voltage and current transformers etc.

Section 717 Mobile and Transportable Units

In 2008 Section 717 was introduced, which provided requirements that were applicable to mobile or transportable units. These units may be self-propelled, towed or transportable containers or cabins, for example, technical and facilities vehicles for the entertainment industry, medical services, advertising, firefighting, workshops, offices, and transportable catering units.

There are many risks associated with such units, arising from:

a loss of connection to earth because of temporary cable connections;
the connection to different national and local electricity distribution networks;
the impracticality of establishing an equipotential zone external to the unit;
open-circuit faults of the PEN conductor of PME supplies, raising the potential of all metalwork (including that of the unit) to dangerous levels;
shock from high functional currents flowing in protective conductors; and
vibration while the vehicle or trailer is in motion, or while a transportable unit is being moved � causing faults within the unit installation.

Some of the current Requirements that aim to reduce these risks included:

Regulation 717.411.1: automatic disconnection shall be by RCD.
Regulation 717.411.3.1.2: accessible conductive parts of the unit to be connected through the main equipotential bonding to the main earth terminal within the unit.
Regulation 717.514 (identification): type of supply, voltage rating of the unit, number of phases, on board earthing, and maximum power required by the unit.

Changes introduced by Amendment 3

Regulation 717.413 will be introduced, and is based on the latest CENELEC HD. The Regulation will require an insulation monitoring device to be installed so that automatic disconnection of the supply is provided in the case of a first fault or an RCD, and an earth electrode to be installed so that automatic disconnection is provided in the case of failure of the transformer to provide electrical separation.

Regulation 717.551.6 will be added, and will prohibit the interconnection of units with different power supply systems. It also prohibits the interconnection of different earthing systems unless special precautions have been taken, as set out by Regulation 542.1.3.3. This reinforces the general rules in Parts 1 to 6 of BS 7671.

Regulation 717.551.7.2 will be added, which will give additional requirements for installations where the generating set may operate in parallel with other sources. This also reinforces the general rules in Parts 1 to 6 of BS 7671.

Changes will be made to the figures that show examples of connections associated with the mobile or transportable units.

Sections 559, 714 and 715: luminaires and lighting installations

In 2008 additional requirements for general lighting were included for:

protection against fire;
connection of luminaires to the fixed wiring;
fixing of the luminaires;
through-wiring in a luminaire;
control gear, for example, ballasts;
compensation capacitors; and
the need to give consideration to stroboscopic effects.
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Amendment 3 will introduce a number of notable changes to align the BS 7671 requirements with the both latest IEC and CENELEC standards. Examples of these intended changes include:

moving the requirements for outdoor lighting and extra-low voltage lighting installations from Section 559 to two new sections, Section 714 and Section 715;
requirements for the type of devices that are to be used for the connection of luminaires to the supply and the protection of cables against heat and UV radiation effects within luminaires; and
introduction of the requirements for protection against electric shock for display stand for luminaires.

Section 715 Extra-low Voltage Lighting

The particular requirements apply to installations that are supplied from sources with a maximum rated voltage of 50 V a.c. rms or 120 V d.c. BS 7671 already includes requirements for:

protection against electric shock (SELV);
protection against the risk of fire due to short circuit;
types of wiring systems, including special requirements where bare conductors are used;
the types of transformers and converters; and
suspended systems.

Amendment 3 will make a number of notable changes to align the latest IEC requirements with CENELEC requirements, including:

the types of wiring systems permitted;
voltage drop in consumer�s installations; and
requirements for isolation, switching and control.

Section 714 Outdoor Lighting Installations

In 2008 some major changes to the requirements for outdoor lighting installations were introduced, covering requirements for:

car parks;
gardens;
parks;
places open to the public;
illumination of monuments; and
floodlighting.

These will be retained in Amendment 3, along with the recommendations for additional protection by a 30 mA RCD for telephone kiosks, bus shelters, advertising panels and town plans.

Amendment 3 will make only minor changes to outdoor lighting installations. One important change will be that individual circuits will be required to be isolated.

Chapter 41 Protection Against Electric Shock

References to �ordinary persons� in Regulation 411.3.3 have now been removed.

This Regulation will require, in accordance with Regulation 415.1, RCD protection for socket outlets up to 20 A (and for mobile equipment up to 32 A for use outdoors) for all installations.

There is, however, an exception for RCD protection (for socket outlets up to 20 A) for a specific labelled socket outlet or where a documented risk assessment determines that RCD protection is not necessary.

This means that socket outlets up to 20 A in all types of installations, including commercial, domestic and industrial, will need to be protected by a 30 mA RCD unless a risk assessment can determine that it�s not necessary.

�Cmin� factor

Maximum earth fault loop impedances given in Tables 41.2, 41.3, 41.4 and 41.6 will be revised to take into account the Cmin factor given in CLC/TR50480:2011.
Cmin is the minimum voltage factor to take account of variations in voltage, depending on time and place, changing of transformer taps and other considerations. The notes to the Tables will be changed to reflect maximum permitted operating temperature. In addition, Regulations 411.5.4 and 41.6.4 will include a Cmin factor.

Chapter 42 Protection Against Thermal Effects

Regulation 421.1.200 has been introduced and will require switchgear assemblies, including consumer units, to have their enclosure manufactured from non-combustible, or not readily combustible, material, or to be enclosed in a cabinet or enclosure that is constructed of non-combustible, or not readily combustible, material.

This new Regulation is being introduced to help to protect against fire that can result from the overheating of connections within consumer units. Overheating can arise from loose connections and connections that have not been made correctly, for example, the connection of a cable over the insulation.

Appendix 6 Model Forms for Certification and Reporting

Appendix 6 contains the electrical installation certificate, the minor works certificate and the electrical installation condition report (used for reporting on the condition of an existing electrical installation) as required by Part 6 of BS 7671.

Condition report

The condition report has a series of inspection schedules. The inspection schedules provide a detailed breakdown of the inspection that is required on each aspect of an installation so that the work is carried out in an organised and efficient manner. For example, the schedule for domestic and similar premises will include over 60 check points. Each item that is listed on the schedule as requiring checking will be accompanied with the relevant regulation number of BS 7671 for ease of reference. In addition, the form provides a facility to indicate the outcome of the inspection of each item with either a tick (acceptable condition), a code C1 or C2 (unacceptable condition), NV (not verified), Lim (limitation) or NA (not applicable).

Amendment 3 will make a small number of changes to the electrical installation condition report and associated notes, including a requirement to carry out an inspection within an accessible roof space where electrical equipment is present in that roof space.

Amendment 3 will make a significant change to the certification of new work: the schedule of inspections (for new work only) has been replaced by examples of items that require inspection during initial verifications (which must be appended to the electrical installation certificate).

More information

Important: this article does not include all of the changes that are expected in Amendment Number 3 to BS 7671, the 17th Edition of the IET Wiring Regulations. For more information refer to the DPC on the IET website.

To identify at a glance those changes that might affect you, please see our checklist of changes (see Download section in right-hand column, above).

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NICEIC UPDATES 2015

Regulations in 2015/2016

After I attended a briefing and update session today by the NICEIC I can report on some of the main points of interest to property owners:-

Between January and July 2015 electrical installations work undertaken can comply with either the old or the new regulations. From July 2015 the new regulations will apply except in one regard in respect of replacement or new Consumer Units. Any electrical contractor engaged should by January be conversant with the new regulations.
Not unexpectedly the changes to regulations are there mainly to improve safety to persons and property. A few of the changes are to better align our regulations alongside common European regulations.
For home owners, from January 2016 at the latest, the main change will be a slightly different construction for Consumer Units (aka Fuse Box). Consumer Units will need to be of a fire resistance construction, in other words steel. They may not be quite so pretty and the method for the cables entering the Consumer Unit may not be so flexible or pretty either. We shall have to wait and see what the manufacturing industry comes up with over time as they accommodate this new requirements. I would forecast that prices for these new steel Consumer Units will be more expensive to manufacture and will take a little longer to install. It also means that from mid 2014 there could be a flood of 3rd Amendment Regulation non compliant Consumer Units available at knock down prices.
For commercial businesses, schools, colleges and government buildings there will be stricter requirements for additional protection against electric shock on socket outlet circuits by increasing the use of safety devices called RCDs. It will be a useful change in increasing safety but it does mean perhaps increased costs and in some cases a different approach to design circuits for computer equipment in offices and education establishments.
The will be more focus of design, inspection and testing of control circuits such as those used for central heating systems. This could present some challenges for Gas/Oil heating system engineers who may in the future have to call in an electrician whereas previously they could have completed the wiring to control valves, controllers and thermostats themselves. This too will have cost implications on home owners.
The regulations for formal Inspection are changing a little as well. Enough require all new stationary and reference material for electrical contractors. Also new methods and adjustments to learn how to use for recording results.
Interestingly there is a new regulation that when Periodic Inspections and Tests (EICR)are being undertaken in Homes and Business Premises then inspection to some degree or another in accessible loft spaces is now required unless recorded as a reasonable non compliance. Previously the inspection of wiring in loft spaces was a reasonably accepted omission. This is certainly a safety improvement as I personally have found a fair number of safety issues with wiring in lofts.
Another change is the need to ensure cables that run above or across safe exit routes but be secured with supports that will resist heat/fire. This is to avoid fire fighters and escapees being tangled up in drooping wire when try to get out of fire damaged building. Apparently the Fire Fighters requested this changes because there had been several deaths because of this problem. To installing electricians this is a fairly easy requirement to meet by using metal type buckle clips or purpose designed cable retainers for use inside trunking.
In the new Regulations there will now be approximately 1500 individual regulations, and increase of several hundred compared to the current issue.

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PART P EXPLAINED

Regulations explained

(Part P Is not available in Scotland)

What is Part P of the Building Regulations?

Since 2005, all electrical work in dwellings in England and Wales, whether carried out professionally or as DIY, must meet the requirements of Part P of the Building Regulations.

Part P is in place to keep you and your family as safe as possible from electrical hazards, and applies to new domestic properties, as well as any alterations or additions to electrical installations in existing properties, including full or partial rewires.

Who is responsible for making sure that electrical work in your home meets the requirements of Part P?

By law, the homeowner or landlord must be able to prove that all electrical installation work on their property meets the requirements of Part P, or they will be committing a criminal offence.

Local Authorities have the power to make homeowners or landlords remove or alter any work that does not meet the requirements of the Building Regulations.

England

What electrical work is notifiable in England?

Electrical work which requires notification differs between England and Wales. Additional changes were introduced to Part P in England in April 2013. This means that electrical work in a dwelling, or associated with its surroundings, is notifiable to a local building control body where it includes:

circuit alteration or addition in a special location*
installation of one or more new circuits
installation of a replacement consumer unit (fuse box)
rewire of all circuits
partial rewire
new full electrical installation (new build)

* Certain zones within a room containing a bath or shower, or a room containing a swimming pool or sauna heater.

An alteration or addition to an existing circuit in a room containing a bath or shower is notifiable only where carried out in the space surrounding a bath or shower shown below:

What do I need to do if I wish to have electrical installation work carried out in my home?

All electrical work in the home in England must comply with Part P of the Building Regulations. In addition, those items described as notifiable above are required by Law to have a Building Regulations Compliance Certificate.

It is strongly recommended that you employ an electrical installer who is registered with one of the Government-approved Scheme Operators listed on this website. This is the only way in which you can be sure of employing someone who has had their domestic electrical competence verified and is authorised under the Regulations to arrange for you to be issued with the Building Regulations Compliance Certificate.

There are other ways of complying with the Building Regulations, but these do not verify the competence of the electrical installer and they involve making a further payment for electrical work to be inspected. The most common route for home owners to do this is by informing the Building Control Department of your local authority before the work commences. See www.planningportal.gov.uk for full details of how to comply with building and planning regulations.

What should I do if the work is non-notifiable in England?

If you determine that the work is not subject to notification under Building Regulations, we strongly recommend that you use a competent, registered electrical installer for safety reasons.

Wales

What electrical work is notifiable in Wales?

The following are examples of electrical installation work in a dwelling, or associated with its surroundings, that is notifiable to a Local Authority Building Control in Wales:

In general:

a complete new installation or rewire; or
the replacement of a consumer unit (fusebox); or
the installation of:

a new circuit, whether at low voltage (typically 230 V) or extra-low voltage);
a solar photovoltaic power supply;
electric ceiling or floor heating;
�an electrical generator;
�power / control wiring for a central heating system

In a special location*, the installation of:

wiring/equipment for telephone or extra-low voltage communications, information technology, control or similar purposes
a prefabricated equipment set and any associated leads with integral plug and socket connections (for example lighting)

In a kitchen** or special location:

extension of an existing circuit within a kitchen or special location

Outside of the dwelling, the installation of:

a supply to a detached garage, shed or other outbuilding
a supply to an electric gate or pond pump
garden lighting
a socket-outlet

* A special location is a room containing a bath or shower, swimming pool or a sauna heater
** For Building Regulations purposes, a kitchen is a room or part of a room which contains a sink and food preparation facilities

What do I need to do before electrical installation work can be carried out in my home?

All electrical work in the home in Wales must comply with Part P of the Building Regulations. In addition, those items described as notifiable above are required by Law to have a Building Regulations Compliance Certificate.

What should I do if the work is non-notifiable in Wales?

If you determine that the work is not subject to notification under Building Regulations, we strongly recommend that you use a competent, registered electrical installer for safety reasons.

Glasgow

Electricians new regulations (Scotland)

WES ELECTRICAL 01418405236

WESThe Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) has announced the IET Wiring Regulations BS 7671:2008 incorporating Amendment No. 3:2015 will be available in January 2015 in both print and digital formats. The amended IET Wiring Regulations, which sets out the national standard for which all new and amended electrical installations are to comply, will feature a number of important new changes and will be available from the IET from 5 January 2015. This latest amendment, the third following Amendment No.1 which was published back in 2011 and Amendment No.2 in 2013, will be published as a new consolidated book.

The amended regulations will include changes to the electrical condition report section, new requirements for mobile and transportable electrical units and changes for the installation of luminaries and light fittings � bringing them in line with the latest international and European standards. The amended IET Wiring Regulations will also include the new Regulation 421.1.200. This regulation requires that within domestic (household) premises, consumer units and similar switchgear assemblies shall comply with BS EN 61439-3 and shall have their enclosure manufactured from non-combustible material, or enclosed in a cabinet or enclosure constructed of non-combustible material and complying with Regulation 132.12.

This has been developed to safeguard against the risk of fire that can be produced from the overheating of connections in consumer units. Geoff Cronshaw, chief electrical engineer at the IET said: �The amended IET Wiring Regulations BS 7671:2008 incorporating Amendment No. 3:2015 will set the electrical standards for those professionals working in the electrical, construction and built environment industries. It is paramount that, as an organisation, the IET continues to ensure that electrical standards are up-to-date and relevant to the ever evolving requirements of the UK�s electrical industry. �What�s more, it is essential that all electrical industry professionals familiarise themselves with the amended IET Wiring Regulations when they are published in January 2015, to ensure that the work they do is compliant and, most importantly, is carried out in a safe and appropriate manner.�

The IET will be making the amended Wiring Regulations available from 5 January 2015, both in print and via a digital subscription; more information and pre-orders are available now at www.theiet.org/amend3-books-pr.

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Metal Consumer units Giffnock

1. Why are these changes being made?

Further to several household fires involving plastic consumer units, investigations by the Glasgow fire brigade, has concluded that a key cause of the fires was substandard cable connections made by the Electrician within the consumer unit.

These resulted in overheating, which subsequently ignited the plastic enclosure.

The draft of Amendment 3 proposes changes to the fire protection regulations in BS 7671 Wiring Regulations. If approved, these changes will be incorporated in the 17th Edition of the Wiring Regulations, due to be published in January 2015. IET Chief Engineer Geoff Cronshaw interviews London Fire Brigade investigator Charlie Pugsley to find out more about the reasons behind these changes

2. What constitutes a substandard cable connection?

Many factors may contribute to a substandard connection. Some of these are inadequate tightening of conductors in the internal devices� terminals or clamping the insulation of the cable rather than the conductor with the terminal screw.

In the third amendment, it is expected that the schedule of inspections for new installation work and condition report for existing installations, will require confirmation that all conductor connections within a consumer unit or distribution board are correctly located in terminals, and are tight and secure. Contactum would recommend that the manufacturer�s published tightening torques are adhered to.

3. What are the proposed changes?

It is anticipated that when the third amendment of BS7671:2008 is published in January 2015 it is expected to state under new regulation 421.1.200:

Within domestic (household) premises, consumer units and similar switchgear assemblies shall comply with BS EN 61439 3 and shall: (i). Have their enclosures manufactured from non-combustible material, or (ii). Be enclosed in a cabinet or enclosure constructed of non-combustible material and complying with Regulation 132.12.

NOTE 1: Ferrous metal e.g. steel is deemed to be an example of a non-combustible material.

NOTE 2:* the implementation date for this regulation is the 1st January 2016. This does not preclude compliance with this regulation prior to this date.

4. What is the intent of the new regulation?

The intent of regulation 421.1.200 is considered to be, as far as is reasonably practicable, to contain any fire within the enclosure and to minimise flames from escaping; caused mainly as a result of poorly installed connections.

5. What is meant by ��non-combustible�?

There is no published definition for �non-combustible� that aligns with the intent of regulation 421.1.200. Ferrous metal, e.g. steel is deemed to be one example of a non-combustible material that meets the intent of the regulation.

6. What is meant by �within domestic (household) premises�?

It is understood that Regulation 421.1.200 applies to consumer units and similar switchgear assemblies to BS EN 61439-3 inside all domestic (household) premises including their integral/attached garages and outbuildings or those in close proximity.

7. What impact will this regulation have?

This would mean that eventually all new consumer units installed in UK homes, i.e. within domestic (household) premises, as defined in point 6 above; must have their enclosures manufactured from a non-combustible material, or be enclosed in a cabinet or enclosure constructed from a non-combustible material. Metal (Steel) enclosures are deemed to offer the best non-combustible characteristics.

8. Has Contactum been involved with these proposed changes?

Contactum have been closely involved in the development of these changes by providing expert industry liaison with interested bodies which including BEAMA (British Electrotechnical and Allied Manufacturers Association). Contactum are committed to delivering the highest quality products which afford maximum consumer safety.

9. When will Amendment 3 come into effect?

The third amendment to BS 7671:2008 will be issued in January 2015 and is intended to come into effect on 1st July 2015. Installations designed after 30th June 2015 are to comply with BS 7671:2008 incorporating Amendment 3, 2015.

However, Regulation 421.1.200 does not come into effect until the 1st January 2016. This does not preclude compliance with this regulation prior to this date.

10. Does this mean all installed consumer units with plastic enclosures are a fire risk?

No, provided the consumer unit and its incorporated components conform to the relevant product standard(s), do not have latent defects, and have been installed correctly to the manufacturer�s instructions.

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