RS Components (RS), the trading brand of Electrocomponents plc (LSE:ECM), a global multi-channel distributor, today announced it has stock availability of the 18th Edition of the IET Wiring Regulations – Requirements for Electrical Installations – co-published by the IET (Institution of Engineering and Technology) and BSI (British Standards Institution).
The IET Wiring Regulations, also known as BS 7671, are the UK standard for electrical installation and cover verification, inspection, testing, cable sizing, earthing and installation. JPEL/64, the national Wiring Regulations committee works closely with two major standard setting bodies: the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) and CENELEC (European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization) to maintain and update the IET Wiring Regulations.
Significant changes in the 18th Edition Regulations include a new recommendation for arc fault detection devices (AFDDs) and a revised section on requirements for protection against overvoltage. The first of these is the introduction of a new regulation that recommends the installation of AFDDs to mitigate the risk of fire in AC final circuits of a fixed installation due to the effects of arc fault currents. The second is a completely revised section that focuses primarily on the requirements for the selection and implementation of surge protection devices (SPDs) to protect against transient overvoltage. The most significant technical change in this area refers to the selection requirements for the voltage protection level.
Other key changes in the regulations include: new requirements around residual current devices (RCDs); an extension of the scope of Section 753 to also apply to the area of embedded heating systems; significant changes to a section on electric vehicle (EV) charging installations; an entirely new section concerning onshore installations dedicated to the supply of inland navigation vessels; and the addition of a new appendix that focuses on energy efficiency design.
This latest edition of the Regulations, which comes into effect from January 2019, is a key publication for all professionals involved in the design, installation or maintenance of electrical wiring in buildings, and should be essential reading for electricians, electrical contractors and maintenance technicians, as well as being of significant interest to academic institutions.
Mark Coles, Head of Technical Regulations at the IET, commented: “The 18th Edition of the IET Wiring Regulations contains some significant changes to the way all electrical professionals are required to carry out their work to safeguard themselves and the public. With this in mind, it is essential that all electrical professionals ensure that they are up to speed with the new requirements.”
“Supporting professionals involved in electrical work is an important part of our business,” added Rashdeep Kelf, Senior Product Manager at RS. “We are making it easy for electrical engineers and technicians to quickly order their own copy of the new wiring regulations and, in conjunction with the launch, we are also introducing a wide selection of new products including VDE screwdrivers, digital multimeters, insulation testers and a range of RCD protection devices to help our customers comply with key changes in the regulations.”
The 18th Edition of the IET Wiring Regulations is now available from stock via the RS website.
