Have you adopted changes from the IET Wiring Regulations?

August 30, 2022 Editor

It’s been five months since the new amendment to the IET Wiring Regulations was published. Developed in partnership with the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), the British Standards Institute (BSI) published BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 back in March of this year.

From a new requirement for Arc Fault Detection Devices (AFDDs) and the requirement for the fire safety design of buildings to be documented, to the addition of a whole new chapter on prosumer’s low voltage electrical installations (PEI), these changes, along with others in BS 7671:2018+A2:2022, ensure advanced safety and sustainability in electrical installation activities.

Following the launch of the amendment, there has been a six-month transition period. This has been in place to allow time for electrical contractors to understand and apply the new changes to their ways of working.

However, this transition period is almost over.

From September 2022, anyone working in the electrical sector must comply with the latest regulations set out in Amendment 2. As a result, the IET and BSI are now urging all electrical professionals to ensure they are familiar with the changes.

What is the impact of the amendment?

BS 7671 is first and foremost a safety standard to provide a framework for the electrical industry in the UK and for the many other countries that have adopted its requirements. Its specification focusses on the whole of product and installation safety and international compatibility.

The benefit of adopting the new changes extends beyond safety. It plays an important role for the EU and international trade of equipment and materials, as well as for the UK’s journey towards achieving net zero.

For designs to be compatible, manufacturers need to design to a common standard so that their designs can be installed in accordance with installation standards of the countries they intend to market their products to. As installation standards and product standards are intertwined with one another, it is therefore essential that the standards are aligned for practical applications.

The IET Wiring Regulations also now cover prosumer electrical installations (PEI), including energy efficiency measures, the interface with the smart grid, the management of electricity consumption, the management of renewable sources of electricity, and energy storage. This change is an exciting step into the future of managing renewable sources of energy and their integration into our lives.

In addition, BS 7671: