With the 18th   Edition of the IET Wiring Regulations (BS 7671) now officially released, it’s a crucial time for electrical contractors and electricians to get up to speed with the changes. Essentially electricians now have a six-month period to ensure their house is in order because, from 1st January 2019, they must ensure they’ve achieved full compliance for any installation work designed from 31st   December onwards.

The 18th   Edition has updated standards in line with the latest advances in technology, including updates to technical data. These updates will have a direct impact on making installations safer. In addition, the 18th   Edition contains a new appendix on energy efficiency, reflecting the country’s need to reduce the overall consumption of energy. For electricians to be ready for January, it is important to get to grips with the changes now.

Five key changes to be aware of:

Changes in regulations around fire safety, protection against voltage overloads, and wiring systems are all listed in the 18th   Edition. This will impact how electricians perform their work from day-to-day, affecting the length of time spent at each install and the expenditure on equipment:

Recommendation for installation of Arc Fault Detection Devices

A new Regulation has been introduced recommending the installation of Arc Fault Detection Devices (AFDDs) to mitigate the risk of fire due to the effects of arc fault currents. This means that some circuits may now require the fitting of an AFDD to protect specifically against arc faults.

Requirements for metal cable supports

Currently, regulation states that only wiring systems located in fire escape routes must be supported against premature collapse in the event of fire. This will now apply throughout the entire installation, and wiring systems in all locations will need to have metallic clip supports. Not all clips will need to be metal, however – there just needs to be an adequate number in place – expected to be around 25%.

Requirements for RCD protection

With the exception of FELV and RLV sockets, all AC sockets that are rated up to 32A will require RCD protection, as opposed to just 20A. This is a life-saving regulation designed to prevent any electrical shocks to the installer working with live AC socket outlets. It means that electrical contractors will need to pay increased attention to the type of RCD being used, to prevent RCDs being ‘blinded’ by the current waveform.

Metallic pipes entering a building with an insulating section at their point of entry no longer need to be connected to the protective equipotential bonding

This regulation will require electrical installers to identify whether or not an incoming metallic pipe has an insulating section, to allow them to determine if they must add the protective bonding to the pipe.

Content relating to energy efficiency, devices for isolation and switching, and onshore units of electrical shore connections for inland navigation vessels has been introduced

Energy efficiency appears in new Appendix 17 in the 18th   Edition. This provides recommendations on the design and erection of electrical installations for optimising the overall efficient use of electricity.

To prepare for full compliance with the 18th   Edition, electricians can seek a range of AFDDs, varying RCD types (AC, A, B and F), and automation, control, software, and metering and monitoring products for Appendix 17’s energy efficiency application.

Other equipment that electricians ought to be sourcing includes metallic cable clips to provide support under fire conditions, and Surge Protection Devices (SPDs) for Section 443 applications.

However, the 18th   Edition doesn’t just mean that electricians need to invest in new equipment. They’ll also need to plan and prepare for a revised installation process, potentially putting aside more time to conduct an electrical install. It could also mean that electricians will need to take a more active role in the architectural design process of a building to ensure it will comply with regulations.

It’s important that electrical professionals have a thorough understanding of the impact these changes could have on their daily operations. Improvements to safety are a necessary and positive step towards creating safer dwellings, but electricians must ensure they have the equipment and resources ready to adapt. By preparing now, the transition will run more smoothly.