Key changes to 18th Edition Wiring Regulations by Stewart Rawson Electrical
The draft edition of BS 7671 IET Wiring Regulations 18th edition has been released for public comment. So what are the proposed key changes? Here at Stewart Rawson Electrical Wrexham we’ve been digesting all the new regulations so we’ve summarised below what we believe to be the top five changes…
1. Surge Protection
Section 443 has been redrafted and states protection against transient overvoltage must be provided where the consequence affects human life, public services, cultural heritage, commercial or industrial activity.
2. Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency has been included. The new section – Part 8, provides requirements, measures and recommendations for the design and erection of all types of electrical installation for optimising efficiency. The requirements apply to both new installations and the modification of existing installations. Part 8 also covers the point system that installers can give to efficiency measures, providing them will an overall efficiency class of between EIEC 0 (very low) and EIEC 4 (optimized efficiency installation).
3. Electric Vehicle Charging
Changes have been made section 722 stipulating that each charging point must be protected by its own RCD of at least type A, unless the circuit uses the protective measure of electrical seperation. Significant changes have also been made to the allowances of the use of a PME earthing facility and the requirements for socket-outlets and connectors.
4. Precautions Against Fire
Regulation 421.7 has been introduced, concerning the installation of arc fault detection devices in order to mitigate the risk of a fire in final circuits of a fixed installation due to arc fault currents. 422.2.1 has also been redrafted to take into account the requirements of the European Construction Regulations.
5. Floor heating systems
Section 753 has been completely revised and now applies to embedded electric heating systems for surface heating and covers both indoor and outdoor systems.
See the full changes by clicking here.