Key proposed changes in Amendment 4 to BS 7671:2018

[edit] IET and BSI urges electrical industry to have its say on IET Wiring Regulations

The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and BSI are calling on the electrical industry to have its say on an amendment to the current BS 7671:2018 Amendment 2 (2022) + Amendment 3 (2024), which will go to DPC (Draft for Public Consultation) on 7 August 2024. BS 7671 is the Requirements for Electrical Installations: IET Wiring Regulations.

Draft for Public Consultation open from 7 August 2024 to 3 November 2024.

Latest amendment expected to be published in 2026

The amendment, known as Amendment 4, has been long-scheduled and will incorporate changes to harmonised standards at European level which the UK has to adopt within a certain time period.

The DPC for Amendment 4 is hot on the heels of Amendment 3 which has just been published and is available as a free-to-download PDF ‘bolt-on’ to Amendment 2 from the IET and BSI websites.

Amendment 4 is expected to be published in 2026, until that time electrical installers need to have a copy of Amendment 2 (2022) - the ‘brown book’ and Amendment 3 (2024) free PDF bolt-on to be up to date. Join the IET for a live webinar at midday on Wednesday 7 August 2024 as we announce the proposed changes and how they may affect you.

Comments on the DPC for Amendment 4 can be submitted through BSI’s Standards Development portal between 7 August 2024 to 3 November 2024.

IET’s Mark Coles, Head of Technical Regulations, said: “The days of the ‘evergreen electrician’ are gone. Changes in technology, installation practices and developments in standardisation are happening so quickly. It’s therefore so important that installers and designers stay well-informed of what’s happening in the industry. The IET is the authority for electrical installations in the UK and ensures that the wiring regulations committee, JPEL/64, carefully considers all necessary updates to the Regulations to ensure they best meet the needs of industry.

“It is intended that this Amendment will include requirements for Stationary Secondary Batteries, low voltage generating sets, power over ethernet, energy efficiency and functional earthing and functional-equipotential-bonding for Information and Communication Technology Equipment and Systems (ICT). Each area of change is a response to fast evolving technologies.”

BSI’s Dan Palmer, Associate Director, Committees, said: “BSI is proud to have been partners with the IET for over 30 years. As electrification increases in the UK, we can all benefit from supporting high standards of safety. Keeping this critical standard on electrical installations updated is vital to ensure continued safety. We urge people with an interest to look at the suggested changes made in the draft and provide your comments."

The Chair of JPEL/64, Graham Kenyon, said: “The members and officers of JPEL/64 invite anyone involved in the industry to contribute to the standard by providing comments on the Draft. We will initially focus on addressing comments related to the intent of technical changes put forward. Comments made on other parts of the standard will be considered in future work of JPEL/64, both for BS 7671 and international work. I extend personal thanks to all the organisations and individuals that have contributed to this Draft so far, both at National and International level.”

The IET and BSI jointly manage JPEL/64, the committee responsible for BS 7671.

This section was issued via Press Release as "IET and BSI urges electrical industry to have its say on IET Wiring Regulations" dated 31 July, 2024.

[edit] ECA technical manager explains some of the key proposed changes in Amendment 4

The fourth and latest proposed set of changes to the Wiring Regulations is currently open for comments from the public. ECA’s Technical Manager Darren Crannis explains some of the key proposed changes in Amendment 4 to BS 7671:2018, and how ECA Members can respond to the Draft for Public Consultation (DPC) between now and 3 November 2024.

The rationale for Amendment 4 is similar to that behind the original 18th Edition and its 3 existing Amendments: given the way our industry operates, the roles electricians serve, and the increasing speed of technological change, the Regulations must reflect these changes to ensure installations stay safe, efficient, useful, and can meet evolving standards.

ECA is calling on its Members and the wider industry to submit their comments on the proposed Amendment 4 to the current edition of the Wiring Regulations BS 7671:2018 Amendment 2 (2022) + Amendment 3 (2024).

The hotly anticipated amendment will incorporate changes to harmonised standards at European level which the UK has to adopt within a certain time period. Until the amendment is published in 2026, you must have a copy of Amendment 2 (2022) - the ‘brown book’ and Amendment 3 (2024) free PDF bolt-on) to be up to date.

We welcome this proposed amendment, which crucially considers fast evolving technologies supporting a safe transition to net zero.

The amendment will further equip our sector with new requirements to safely design and install stationary secondary batteries, low voltage generation sets, power over Ethernet (PoE) and functional earthing and bonding for communication technology equipment (ICT).

The ECA Technical team are ready to support ECA Members, and the wider electrotechnical community, with the proposed changes and we encourage you to make comments via the BSI portal or via the ECA website.

The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and BSI jointly manage JPEL/64, the committee responsible for BS 7671, of which ECA is a key member.

ECA’s industry-leading Technical Team offers unrivalled support across a wide range of electrotechnical activities. Members can access exclusive application guides, editable certificates, guidance notes, technical bulletins, and access to the ECA Technical Helpline.

This article appears on the ECA news and blogsite as "How is ECA helping Members with AMD4?" dated 10 September 2024.

--ECA

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