There have been requirements for safe electrical wiring as far back as 1876 and, in 1882, the Society of Telegraph Engineers and Electricians, later to become the Institution of Electrical Engineers (IEE – now part of the IET), published the ‘Rules and Regulations for the Prevention of Fire Risks arising from Electric Lighting’.
There have been requirements for safe electrical wiring as far back as 1876 and, in 1882, the Society of Telegraph Engineers and Electricians, later to become the Institution of Electrical Engineers (IEE – now part of the IET), published the ‘Rules and Regulations for the Prevention of Fire Risks arising from Electric Lighting’. This first incarnation of the IEE Wiring Regulations was just a simple four-page document. It was from these small beginnings that the idea of an inspection body with teeth to protect the general public from the dangers associated with electricity use was born.
Up to1923, there was guidance in the form of the IEE Wiring Regulations (such as they were), but no guarantee that these were being followed, and no unanimity as to whether compulsion would be valuable. It was eventually decided that the most effective way of improving domestic wiring safety standards, and getting rid of unsound contractors, would be to form a voluntary body. The National Register of Electrical Installation Contractors (NREIC) was the result, and its objectives were to enable the public to identify competent contractors, to improve the efficiency and status of contractors, and to establish a register of such contractors, although requirements were not strict.
By 1929, the NREIC had a mere 202 contractors on its register, though this number did grow significantly and, by 1937, the new Electricity Supply Regulations gave suppliers the power to inspect electrical installations – now much more numerous - before connection to the public supply to ensure that they were safe, though the only statutory requirement was an insulation test.
During the early 1950s, the electricity supply industry had begun taking increased interest in installation issues, even – at one stage – proposing replacing the IEE Wiring Regulations with a ‘Code of Minimum Wiring Practice’. This was opposed by contractors, the ECA, the British Electrical & Allied Manufacturers’ Association (BEAMA), BSI and the IEE, and the proposal was eventually dropped. The happy result was a proposal for a more effective inspection body – the NICEIC, which was eventually formed in 1956.
Agreement had been reached some time before on the necessity for setting up the NICEIC, but difficulties of principle caused actual formation to take six long years. The delay, however, had a major advantage in that the 13th Edition of the Wiring Regulations, introduced around 1955/56, was suitably worded for enforcement, together with non-mandatory recommendations for good practise.
A decade later, in October 1966, E.J. Sutton (NICEIC Director from 1966 – 71) talked about the forthcoming 14th Edition of the Wiring Regulations to A.S.E.E. members. To enable electrical contractors to learn about the new Regulations as early as possible, the NICEIC published a ‘Contractors’ Handbook’ about them. There was now huge discussion among contractors, the technical press, and the various bodies such as the NICEIC, about the forthcoming 14th Edition – and much controversy too. E. J. Sutton was busy on the topic, writing many articles on the effects of the 14th Edition. Modifications were announced in early 1969, and were analysed by the NICEIC.
In February 1977, amid mounting concern over the forthcoming 15th Edition, NICEIC Chief Engineer Tom Howell helped put contractors’ fears at ease by saying that the forthcoming 15th Edition would ‘not lead to radical changes’. This did not stop contractors’ worries. With the proposed launch of the 15th Edition in spring 1981 – more huge controversy ensued, with many articles, news and views being aired in the trade press. A major issue was that of mainland European influence, as the 15th Edition was based in layout on the IEC Wiring Regulations.
The NICEIC, ECA and the then ECA of Scotland held a series of joint 15th Edition introductory meetings across the country. However, it was felt that there were still issues to be resolved, and the Council recommended in January 1981 that electrical installations should NOT be specified to the 15th Edition until the beginning of 1982.
The NICEIC, along with other bodies, held a series of seminars on the topic throughout September and October of 1981. A late 1981 edition of Electrical Times fretted that the 15th Edition was ‘beyond the ken of ordinary contractors’, so clearly, more education and clarifications were required. Yet, despite approval for the 15th Edition in 1982, the relevant Secretaries of State saw no difficulty in concurrent operation of the 14th and 15th Editions for a transitional period, until the end of 1984. Confusion reigned and, while ‘Megohm’ in Electrical Times claimed that the 15th Edition was a ‘green light for cowboys’, the NICEIC acceded to a request from the Secretaries of State for England and Scotland to delay implementation until January 1985.
In the event, it was the question of how to accommodate the stringent IEC voltage requirements that delayed the 15th Edition for three years.
1983 Colin Kinloch’s (Technical Officer, later Assistant Director - Technical, then Director) long career at the NICEIC came to an end, as he retired, but not before airing his views before he went. Among other things, he commented that he still didn’t know just how many contractors were then working to the 15th Edition, but said ‘it forced people to think’.
Soon after, regarding the then forthcoming the 16th Edition, the NICEIC made an announcement concerning the electrical test instruments that Approved Contractors were required to have. However, the Council also announced at its AGM that is would amend its Memorandum of Association to include reference to standards of electrical installation safety and practice additional to the IEE Wiring Regulations. This would allow the National Inspection Board to invoke specific European and International standards as required.
In December 1992, it was announced that implementation of the 16th Edition of the IEE Wiring Regulations would come into effect from 1st January 1993. The NICEIC provided its usual service, including meetings and publications, to Approved Contractors to ensure that they were a fully conversant with the implications of the new Edition as possible, prior to its implementation.
Now that the 17th Edition of the IEE Wiring Regulations are planned to come into force in 2008, and the Draft for Public Comment (DPC) has been and gone, the UK electrical industry will have to wait to see what changes are finally published, but the rationale is mainly to do with harmonisation of the document with European standards.