The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and BSI, have today signed off the content for Amendment 2 to BS 7671:2018 (18th Edition of the IET Wiring Regulations), which introduces a new requirement for Arc Fault Detection Devices (AFDDs), updated requirements for the fire safety design for buildings and a new chapter on Prosumer’s Low Voltage Electrical Installations.

Amendment 2 comes into effect immediately when published on 28th March 2022 and the previous version, BS 7671:2018+A1:2020, will be withdrawn six months later.

This essential update to the IET Wiring Regulations will form the national standard to which all new electrical installations and additions, and alterations to existing electrical installations in the UK are to comply. The IET and BSI are now urging all electrical professionals to ensure they become familiar with the changes.

Significant changes include:

• a new requirement for Arc Fault Detection Devices (AFDDs) in some AC final circuits for installations in some types of higher risk residential buildings;
• the requirement for the fire safety design of buildings to be documented where specific conditions of external influence exist, such as protected escape routes and locations with risk of fire;
• method for determining the requirement to provide overvoltage protection;
• changes to identification, labels and notices, such as for consumer units, affecting how safety information is provided to the user of the electrical installation;
• a chapter on Prosumer’s Low Voltage Electrical Installations, in a new part, Part 8.

Members of the committee responsible for the technical content of BS 7671, JPEL/64, are not permitted to release any further information before the publication date.

Dan Palmer, Associate Director of Committees at BSI said: “BS 7671 is one of the UK’s most important standards, providing authoritative requirements to promote electrical safety. The changes introduced in this new amendment will help electrical professionals keep up to date with new and innovative technologies, as well as ensuring they have current knowledge about designing safe installations.”

Mark Coles, Head of Technical Regulations at the IET, said: “The IET is the authority for electrical installations in the UK and ensures that the National Wiring Regulations Committee carefully considers all necessary updates to the Regulations to ensure they best meet the needs of the industry.

“The Amendment continues the thread of embracing new technologies and Prosumer’s Low Voltage Electrical Installations is an exciting step into the future of renewable sources of energy and their integration into our lives.

“Focussing on high-risk environments with requirements for Arc Fault Detection Devices and the fire safety design of buildings is a major step in order to increase safety.

“Amendment 2 is an essential update to provide for the safety of electrical installations in the UK and it is now imperative that the industry is ready to work to this amendment before BS 7671:2018+A1:2020 is withdrawn.”

Further changes are included throughout all parts of BS 7671, including the incorporation of Amendment 1:2020 to BS 7671:2018 as part of the main document.

Post-Brexit, this Amendment sees the further adoption of CENELEC Harmonized Documents as the UK continues the inclusion of standards for new and developing technologies.

BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 is available for pre-order at theiet.org/amendment2-wm  

Learn more about the IET’s guidance and training packages at theiet.org/18th-resources-wm