18th Edition Wiring Regulations to be published July 2nd 2018

Due to be issued on 2^nd July 2018, BS 7671:2018 Requirements for Electrical Installations is intended to come into effect on 1^st January 2019.

Please note, installations designed after 31^st December 2018 must comply with BS 7671:2018.

These regulations apply to the design, erection and verification of electrical installations, as well as additions or alterations to existing installations.

The areas that have been amended are summarised below. Further details can be found in the PDF document at the end of this article.

Part 1 Scope, object and fundamental principles. Regulation 133.1.3 (Selection of equipment) now requires a statement on the Electrical Installation Certificate.

Part 2 Definitions has been modified and expanded.

Chapter 41 Protection against electric shock. Section 411 contains a number of significant changes, including two new regulations.

Chapter 42 Protection against thermal effects includes a new regulation as well as a redraft of Regulation 422.2.1.

Chapter 44 Protection against voltage disturbances and electromagnetic disturbances has been redrafted.

Chapter 46 Devices for isolation and switching is a new chapter which has been introduced in this latest revision.

Chapter 52 Selection and erection of wiring systems contains a new regulation and modifications to existing regulations.

Chapter 53 Protection, isolation, switching, control and monitoring has been completely revised.

Chapter 54 Earthing arrangements and protective conductors includes four new regulations.

Chapter 55 Other equipment contains a new regulation.

Part 6 Inspection and testing has been completely restructured and modified.

Section 704 Construction and demolition site installations contains a number of small changes.

Section 708 Electrical installations in caravan/camping parks and similar locations contains a number of changes.

Section 710 Medical locations includes a new regulation and a number of small changes.

Section 715 Extra-low voltage lighting installations contains only minor changes.

Section 721 Electrical installations in caravans and motor caravans includes a number of changes.

Section 722 Electric vehicle charging installations contains significant changes.

Section 753 Floor and ceiling heating systems has been completely revised.

Changes have been made to the following appendices:

• Appendix 1
• Appendix 3
• Appendix 6
• Appendix 7
• Appendix 8
• Appendix 14

Finally, a new Appendix has been added – Appendix 17 Energy efficiency.

Further details can be found in the PDF document at the end of this article.