BS 7671: 2008 Amendment 3 is published - and very soon you’ll have to comply!

The potentially life-saving changes included in Amendment No. 3 to BS 7671:2008 (IET Wiring Regulations 17th Edition) make this a vital update – much more so than Amendment 2. Amendment 3 features some quite major changes that electrical installers and contractors will – from 1st of July - have to understand and follow in their working practices.
In some detail, the most important of the changes are as follows:

• Chapter 41 - Protection against Electric Shock.

This has various changes in definitions, as well as alterations for socket outlet RCD protection. For example, ‘Ordinary persons’ in Regulation 411.3.3 has been removed. In addition, RCD protection (Regulation 415.1 for socket outlets up to 20A, and for mobile equipment up to 32A for use outdoors) is now required for all installations – though there is an exception for socket outlets up to 20A for a specific labelled socket outlet, or where a documented risk assessment shows that RCD protection is not necessary.

Maximum earth fault loop impedances are revised to take into account the Cmin factor (the minimum voltage factor to take account of voltage variations depending on time and place, changing of transformer taps and other considerations). The maximum earth fault loop impedances given in Tables 41.2- 41.4 and 41.6 have been revised to take account of the Cmin factor given in CLC/TR50480: 2011. Furthermore, the notes to the Tables have been changed for the maximum permitted operating temperature.

• Chapter 42 - Protection against Thermal Effects

Domestic consumer units can and do cause domestic fires, and the London Fire Brigade found that fires involving consumer units had increased to typically five incidents every week. Furthermore, BEAMA has said that the main cause of fires in consumer units is loose connections, so it became clear that a change needed to be made to protect consumers from potential harm. 

To address this, Amendment 3 provides a degree of enhanced fire risk protection, requiring switchgear assemblies (including consumer units) to have their enclosures made from a suitable non-combustible material, or be installed in a cabinet or enclosure made from a suitable non-combustible material. This is covered within Chapter 42 with the addition of Regulation 421.1.201. In effect, this means using steel in most cases.

• Chapter 43 - Protection against Overcurrent 

This has received only minor editorial modifications.

• Chapter 44 - Protection against Voltage Disturbances and Electromagnetic Disturbances 

Within this, Section 442 (dealing with protection of low voltage installations against temporary over- voltages due to earth faults in the high voltage system and due to faults in the low voltage system) has been modified. Regulation 442.2.1 has been redrafted and Table 44.2 removed.

• Chapter 51 - Common Rules

 Compliance with standards requires all equipment to be suitable for the nominal voltage, and also requires certain information to be noted on the electrical installation certificate. Section 512 now refers to the EMC directive and includes requirements for the designer of the fixed installation. Note that minor modifications have been made to Sections 513 and 514.

• Chapter 52 - Selection and Erection of Wiring Systems 

Enhanced fire safety is also referenced in the new Regulation 521.201, which outlines the requirements for wiring systems which are above escape routes, to be supported by fire-resistant fastenings and fixings. All cabling must be supported such that it cannot prematurely collapse when exposed to extreme heat.

The new requirements outline the need for cabling to be supported by fire-resistant fastenings and fixings that cannot prematurely collapse under conditions of extreme heat. For this reason, plastic cable clips, non-metallic cable ties and plastic trunking to support wiring systems would likely not comply with the new requirements, which apply to all wiring systems in a building, including those of distribution circuits and final circuits, safety services, and data and communications services. 

In essence, therefore, wiring systems should be supported in such a way that they will not collapse when affected by fire, especially around escape routes. The sole use of plastic fixings and non-metallic cable ties will no longer comply with the new regulations and rightly so as exposure to fire could result in the melting of trunking and the risk of loose cabling.

Installers should, therefore, look for products – cable ties, cable mounts and other supporting components - that meet high standards of fire resistance, as these will be able to withstand high temperatures and provide durability and strength. 

Stainless steel products are ideal where high strength, reliability and fire resistance are needed. Though many installers will see such stainless steel products as being expensive, they do provide the required support, as well as peace of mind. 

Also under Chapter 52, the regulations concerning the selection and erection of wiring systems (impact) have been redrafted. Reference to ‘under the supervision of skilled and instructed persons’ has been removed. 

Additionally, cables concealed in a wall or partition (at a depth of less than 50mm) must be protected by a 30mA RCD for all installations - if other methods of protection, including the use of cables with an earthed metallic covering or mechanical protection, are not used. This applies to a cable in a partition where the construction includes metallic parts other than fixings irrespective of the depth of the cable. However, there is still an exception for cables forming part of a SELV or PELV circuit.

• Chapter 53 - Protection, Isolation, Switching, Control and Monitoring 

There are only minor changes here.

• Chapter 55 - Other Equipment 

Small changes have been made to Regulation 551.7.1 concerning low voltage generating sets.
However, there is a new Section 557 covering auxiliary circuits for low voltage electrical installations is. Auxiliary circuits are defined as circuits for the transmission of signals intended for the detection, supervision or control of the functional status of a main circuit such as circuits for control, signalling and measurement. 

Covered are AC or DC auxiliary circuits, power supplies for auxiliary circuits dependent on the main circuit, auxiliary circuits supplied by an independent source, protection against overcurrent, and wiring systems. Special requirements for auxiliary circuits used for measurement are provided. 

Note that where specific standards already exist, auxiliary circuits are excluded. 

Section 559 Luminaires and Lighting Installations - Requirements for outdoor lighting and extra low voltage lighting installations have been moved to new Sections 714 and 715 respectively. A number of changes have been made to the requirements of Sections 559, 714 (Outdoor Lighting installations) and 715 (Extra Low Voltage Lighting Installations). 

• Part 6 – Inspection and Testing 

There are minor changes to Chapters 61 - 63.

• Part 7 – Special Installations

Section 701 - Locations Containing a Bath or a Shower - Regulation 701.411.3.3 now requires all low voltage circuits (including circuits passing through the location) to be RCD protected.

Section 704 - Construction and Demolition Site Installations - The earlier exclusion of mining applications in Regulation 704.1.1 is now deleted.

Section 711 - Exhibitions, Shows and Stands – Reference to a skilled/competent person has been removed in Regulation 711.55.6.

Section 712 - Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Power Supply Systems – This includes minor changes, including to the general schematic.

Section 714 - Outdoor Lighting and Section 715 Extra Low Voltage Lighting Installations - A number of changes have been made to the requirements in Sections 714 and 715 – e.g. additional requirements for isolation, switching and control.

Section 717 - Mobile or Transportable Units - Regulation 717.551.6 has been added. This does not allow units having different power supply systems and differing earthing systems to be interconnected. Also, changes have been made to the figures showing examples of connections associated with the mobile or transportable unit.

• Appendices - Finally, there are changes to Appendices 1, 3, 4, 6 and 14. 

In Appendix 1 - British Standards - minor changes. 

In Appendix 3 - concerning the time/current characteristics of overcurrent protective devices and RCDs - this includes changes in terms of the maximum earth fault loop impedance to take account of the Cmin factor. There are also changes to the Tables in terms of the maximum operating time and current characteristics. In addition, there is a new Table for fuses to BS 88- 2 - fuse system E has been added.

In Appendix 4 – The current-carrying capacity and voltage drop for cables includes changes including modifications to Tables 4A3, 4C3, and 4F4A. Reference is made to PD CLC/TR 50480 for calculating circuit impedances, fault currents and other variables. The national annex to PD CLC/TR 50480 is also referred to – this gives calculation methods for cable resistance and reactance – among others.

In Appendix 6 - Model forms for certification and reporting – the schedule of inspections for new work only has been replaced by examples of items requiring inspection during initial verifications (which must be appended to the electrical installation certificate). Moreover, some small changes have been made to the electrical installation condition report and associated notes including a requirement to carry out an inspection within an accessible roof space where electrical equipment is present. 

In Appendix 14 - Measurement of earth fault loop impedance - The equation for earth fault loop impedance has been changed to take account of the Cmin factor.

Crucial dates

The important dates through 2015 and into 2016 are as follows:

• 1st January 2015: BS7671:2008+A3 (Amendment 3) was published. Installations designed after this date may comply and be certified to these new standards or be designed and certified to BS7671:2008+A2 (for a maximum transitional period of six months)
• 1st July 2015: Installations designed after this date must comply fully with Amendment 3
• 1st January 2016: Regulation 421.1.201 comes into full effect (note that this does not preclude conformity beforehand).

To see more about the Wiring Regulations in general, go to: http://electrical.theiet.org/wiring-regulations/updates/index.cfm

Learn more from the IET

All expert IET guidance is being updated at the same time, offering the following - all fully updated to Amendment 3:

• On-Site Guide
• All eight IET Guidance Notes
• Electrician’s Guide to the Building Regulations
• Electrical Installation Design Guide
• Commentary on the IET Wiring Regulations.

Spread the cost of getting up to date with the new books: subscriptions to  digital versions start from just £60 (+VAT) per year for the Bronze package. Find out more about all the packages available > 
 
The digital versions are also accepted by scheme providers during their inspections.
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To learn more on specific topics related to Amendment 3 of BS 7671: 2008, please read the other articles in this VoltiTECH. Also go to: www.voltimum.co.uk/articles/all-you-need-know-about-amendment-3