Electrical equipment
BS 7671 (IET Wiring Regulations) defines ‘electrical equipment’ as:
| Any item for such purposes as generation, conversion, transmission, distribution or utilisation of electrical energy, such as machines, transformers, apparatus, measuring instruments, protective devices, wiring systems, accessories, appliances and luminaires. |
Electrical equipment within a building would therefore cover all of the items above – whether they are installed and ‘fixed’ as part of a fixed installation (and hence covered under BS 7671) or provided ‘loose’ by a building user and simply plugged in - typically referred to as a freestanding appliance.
One often misunderstood point is that wiring systems, such as cabling systems, busbar trunking and the like, are classified as ‘equipment’ under BS 7671. This is because, unarguably, they serve the purpose of transmission and distribution of electrical energy.
It is also essential that in the classification of equipment, whether or not it forms part of the fixed installation, is also made clear. This will vary from one building to another. This detail is essential when considering work such as ongoing maintenance or periodic testing and inspection.
--ECA
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Articles about electricity.
- BS 7671 (IET Wiring Regulations)
- Consumer electronics.
- Consumer units.
- ECA articles.
- Electric lock.
- Electric motor.
- Electrical appliance.
- Electrical component.
- Electrical consumption.
- Electrical energy.
- Electrical installation.
- Electrical power.
- Electrical safety.
- Electrician.
- Electricity supply.
- Electrical system.
- Glossary of electrical terms.
Featured articles and news
Quality Planning for Micro and Small to Medium Sized Enterprises
A CIOB Academy Technical Information sheet.
A briefing on fall protection systems for designers
A legal requirement and an ethical must.
CIOB Ireland launches manifesto for 2024 General Election
A vision for a sustainable, high-quality built environment that benefits all members of society.
Local leaders gain new powers to support local high streets
High Street Rental Auctions to be introduced from December.
Infrastructure sector posts second gain for October
With a boost for housebuilder and commercial developer contract awards.
Sustainable construction design teams survey
Shaping the Future of Sustainable Design: Your Voice Matters.
COP29; impacts of construction and updates
Amid criticism, open letters and calls for reform.
The properties of conservation rooflights
Things to consider when choosing the right product.
Adapting to meet changing needs.
London Build: A festival of construction
Co-located with the London Build Fire & Security Expo.
Tasked with locating groups of 10,000 homes with opportunity.
Delivering radical reform in the UK energy market
What are the benefits, barriers and underlying principles.
Information Management Initiative IMI
Building sector-transforming capabilities in emerging technologies.
Recent study of UK households reveals chilling home truths
Poor insulation, EPC knowledge and lack of understanding as to what retrofit might offer.
Embodied Carbon in the Built Environment
Overview, regulations, detail calculations and much more.
Why the construction sector must embrace workplace mental health support
Let’s talk; more importantly now, than ever.
Ensuring the trustworthiness of AI systems
A key growth area, including impacts for construction.