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The Second Amendment to the IET Wiring Regulations came into effect on Monday March 28th 2022. Reference: Amendment 2 to BS7671:2018 18th edition of the IET Wiring Regulations.
The IET Wiring Regulations is the national standard to which all domestic and industrial wiring must conform. It is essential to all those concerned with the design, installation and maintenance of electric wiring in buildings.
Amendment 2 of the 18th Edition of (BS7671:2018+A2:2022) comes into effect immediately. Amendment 1 (BS7671:2018+A1:2020) remains current until its withdrawal on 27th September 2022.
In partnership with Lewden, we present our new range of products that have been designed to meet the new wiring regulations.
Significant Changes
Arc Fault detection devices (AFDD) Regulation 421.1.7 Within certain types of premises, protection against arcing faults is now a mandatory requirement for final circuits rated up to 32A supplying socket outlets. For all other premises, the use of AFDDs on final circuits rated up to 32A supplying socket outlets is recommended. View our range of AFDDs
Surge Protection Devices (SPD): Section 443 Significant changes to 443.5 have resulted in the calculated risk assessment method for determining the requirement for SPD protection being deleted. Surge protection against indirect lighting strikes is now mandatory where consequences could result in injury or loss of life, loss of safety services, or financial or data loss. In all other cases, protection against indirect lighting strikes shall always be provided, unless the owner of the installation declares that it is not required due to any loss being accepted and tolerable. View our range of SPDs
Arc Fault Detection Devices
What are arcs?
The IET defines arcs as: "visible plasma discharges caused by electrical current passing through a normally nonconductive medium, such as air. This is caused when the electrical current ionizes gases in the air, temperatures created by arcing can exceed 6000 °C. These temperatures are sufficient to start a fire."
What is an arcing fault?
An arcing fault is defined as a "dangerous unintentional arc" within an electrical circuit which has the intensity and duration to cause localised heating at the point of the arc.
Depending on the nature of the fault, an arcing fault may take a long period of time to establish as carbonisation of the surrounding insulation material creates the conditions for the arc to develop.
What causes arc faults?
Poor installation, accidental damage to cabling equipment, and deterioration of the cable over time due to external factors are examples of how unintentional arcing faults occur. These faults can develop within the fixed cabling installation or on portable equipment connected to the fixed wiring installation.
Why AFDDs?
Electrical fires continue to be a significant issue within UK Installations. In 2017/18, there were over 17,000 domestic fires within the UK, with approximately 12% starting within the electrical distribution system and up to 23% caused by faulty appliances and leads.
Arc Fault Detection Devices (AFDDs), in addition to MCBs and RCDs, offer more protection; reducing the risk and consequences of these types of electrical fires. AFDDs can also mitigate the risk caused by faults within the whole electrical installation, both within the fixed wiring and the cabling of equipment connected to it.
In the current edition of the IET Wiring Regulations, BS 7671:2018, it is a recommendation to install AFDDs but the customer can choose to omit them. However, this decision should be based considering any relevant risk and safety factors against the cost of installation.
