This article seeks to bring to the reader’s attention to the many requirements within the 17th Edition relating to provision of information considered necessary for the safe and effective use of electrical installations. It summarises the fundamental requirements for provision of information and documentation laid down in Chapter 13, highlights particular situations where the requirements for identification and notices given in Section 514 apply and states the identification and labelling requirements specific to isolation and switching.
In the next edition of Wiring Matters, we will concentrate on the specific requirements for safety services, special installations and locations and the information items which relate to inspection, testing and reporting.
A number of new requirements have been introduced in the 17th Edition which will be discussed at the appropriate place within these articles.
Introduction
Ever since the First Edition of the Wiring Regulations was published, there have been
requirements for the identification of potential hazards relating to an electrical installation. As installations increase in complexity the number of instances requiring clear identification and labelling has also increased and, as BS 7671 expands to encompass a greater number of special installations and locations, the need to leave behind concise instructions for users of the installation and others who may work on or near the installation in the future becomes greater.
The vast majority of requirements relating to the provision of identification and warning notices appear in Section 514 and are therefore assumed to be relatively familiar to users of BS 7671. As such, the majority of requirements therein will not be discussed in any real detail in this article.
Fundamental requirements
Chapter 13 lays down the fundamental requirements for electrical installations. Within this chapter there are a number of requirements pertinent to this article.
Regulation 132.2 requires the person(s) responsible for the design of an installation to obtain, by various means, information relating to the characteristics of the supply arrangement. These details along with all other relevant documentation specific to the installation are required to be made available on completion of work by Regulation 132.13. Regulation 134.1.3 gives the
fundamental requirements for the identification of conductors and, where necessary terminals, while Regulation 134.1.7 calls for the provision of warning signs and notices as a measure to minimise the risk of danger or injury to persons working on or otherwise using the installation.
To view the full article from the IET's Wiring Matters Summer 2009, click on the attachment below...