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STAY SWITCHED ON TO ELECTRICAL SAFETY AND SUSTAINABILITY Calling all those involved with electrical installations – a new amendment to the IET Wiring Regulations has published. Developed by the Joint IET/BSI Technical Committee JPEL/64, BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 marks an essential update to the IET Wiring Regulations that forms the national standard to which all new electrical installations and alterations to existing electrical installations in the UK must comply.
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he role of the electrical professional is changing, but the future could be brighter than ever for those who adapt. From advanced safety requirements to a growing demand for a flexible grid, our use of electricity and the skills we require from the people working within this industry is rapidly evolving. To reflect these changes, the guidance on the best practices for working with electrical installations has been amended. This 2nd Amendment to the IET Wiring Regulations marks a major shift in what is expected from the industry with regards to safety and sustainable practices, paving the way for a societal shift in the way we produce and consume electricity.
Understanding the role of the IET Wiring Regulations First adopted as a standard by BSI in 1992, BS 7671 is primarily a safety standard that provides a framework for the electrical industry in the UK and many other countries that have adopted its requirements. To improve electrical safety, it is important to identify the hazards, assess the effectiveness of the methods of protection, produce safe systems of work, perform regular inspections and testing, and ensure conformity to legislation.
As a result, BS 7671 covers industry best practices on the safe and effective design, erection, and verification of electrical installations, along with additions and alterations to existing installations. This standard is the most widely accepted way to demonstrate compliance with the applicable legislation. So, if you are an electrical professional, you need to ensure that you are familiar with the new changes being introduced in BS 7671:2018+A2:2022.
The 2nd Amendment marks a major shift in what is expected from the industry
Whether you are already a user of BS 7671, or looking to adopt this standard, BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 includes several new updates that are considered essential for anyone engaged in electrical installation activities. The main changes fall into two categories: changes to safety and the introduction of new sustainability practices.
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All electrical systems have the potential to cause harm and so it is vital for those involved in their design and installation to be up to date with current industry knowledge on designing safe installations. This includes protection against fire, which has been necessary ever since electricity was first introduced into buildings. These new changes represent a major step to increase safety and reduce fire risks: • P rotection against transient overvoltages – BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 deals with the protection of electrical installations against transient overvoltages of atmospheric origin transmitted by the supply distribution system, and against switching overvoltages generated by the equipment within the installation. A risk assessment now must be performed to determine if protection against transient overvoltages is required.
Sparking change
40 | May 2022
Enhancing electrical safety
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26/04/2022 16:43
