Bureau Veritas welcomes 3rd amendment to 18th Edition, but says it ‘sparks’ a renewed focus for electricians.
Last week, the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) announced a consultation to amend the BS7671: 2018 (18th Edition) Wiring Regulations for the third time.
The consultation, which launched on 8 May 2024, was triggered by a technical bulletin issued by BEAMA1 which aims to address the requirements for the correct connections of unidirectional and bidirectional residual current devices (RCDs) and miniature circuit breakers (MCBs).
Welcoming this next amendment as a positive and essential step forward for the industry, electrical expert and Technical Manager at Bureau Veritas, Martin Sampson, stresses the need for electricians to remain on top of the frequently changing regulations to ensure utmost safety for end-users.
This new focus on connection of unidirectional and bidirectional RCD & MCBs comes at a relevant time for the industry, as we’re seeing a marked rise in the demand, installation and use of renewable energy solutions. Introduction of renewable technology such as solar PV, Electric Vehicle charging or battery storage systems means that we must now consider the safety implications and likelihood of parallel supplies within a single installation.
An RCD is a safety device designed to reduce the risk of electrocution and fire, caused by earth faults; it essentially identifies a fault in an electrical system and switches it off. A unidirectional RCD will therefore only identify a fault when electricity is flowing in the one direction it was designed for. Newer technologies such solar, EV and battery storage may require bidirectional devices. The designer and installer must refer to manufacturer’s advice on where to connect these within the distribution board.
The regulations are being updated to keep pace with the advances in technology and the relevant manufacturers guidance.
However, also important to note is the significance of yet another amendment to the wiring regulations. As the demand and scope for renewable energy sources continues to grow and develop, so too will the regulation that sits alongside it. This proposed emergency amendment to the IET 18th Edition Wiring Regulations marks the third review of the document in six years – a notable increase in frequency compared to previous versions. The BEAMA report accelerating this evolution of the regulations.
I don’t expect there to be a slow-down in regulatory change either, as technology will continue to evolve on the race to Net Zero, and we learn new things about the technological advancements aiding us to achieve this. This is simply just the start. For example, EV charging guidance is changing quickly with the Code of Practice for Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment Installation, moving onto edition 5 in 2023 after only 11 years in publication.
As outlined in the BEAMA report, electrical installation designers will need to decide on which method to use for new installations, ensure going-forward that they utilise the correct connections for unidirectional and bidirectional RCDs and MCBs.
Time will only tell exactly what this third amendment of the 18th edition will bring, and industry leaders now have the opportunity to comment against the proposed changes, until 5th June, with the final amendment due to be published in summer 2024.
