Skip to main content
Facilitate Magazine: Informing Workplace and Facilities Management Professionals - return to the homepage Facilitate magazine logo
  • Search
  • Visit Facilitate Magazine on Facebook
  • Visit Facilitate Magazine on LinkedIn
  • Visit @Facilitate_Mag on Twitter
Visit the website of the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management Logo of the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management

Main navigation

  • Home
  • News
    • Comment
    • People
    • Reports
    • Research
  • Features
    • Analysis
    • Features
    • Round Tables
    • Webinars
  • Outsourcing
    • Contract Finder
    • Contracts
    • FM Business Models
    • Interviews
    • Mergers & Acquisitions
    • Opinion
    • Procurement
    • Trends
  • Know-How
    • Explainers
    • Legal Updates
    • White Papers
  • Jobs
  • Topics
    • Workplace Services
      • Hospitality
      • Catering
      • Cleaning
      • Front of House
      • Grounds Maintenance
      • Helpdesk
      • Mailroom
      • Manned Guarding / Security
      • Pest Control
      • Washroom Services
      • Disaster Recovery
      • Specialist Services
    • Professional Performance
      • Behavioural Change
      • Continual Professional Development
      • Education
      • Management
      • Recruitment
      • Training
    • Workplace Performance
      • Benchmarking
      • Health & Wellbeing
      • Operational Readiness
      • Procurement
      • Security
      • Workplace User Experience
      • Workplace Culture
    • Compliance
      • Health & Safety
      • Risk & Business Continuity
      • Standards
      • Statutory Compliance
    • Building Services
      • Architecture & Construction
      • Asset Management
      • Building Controls
      • Building Fabric
      • Drinking Water
      • Fire Protection
      • HVAC
      • Landscaping
      • Mechanical & Electrical
      • Building Security
      • Water, Drainage & Plumbing
    • Technology
      • Building Information Modelling
      • CAFM
      • Data & Networks
      • Document Management
      • Information Management
      • Internet of Things (IoT)
      • Software & Systems
    • Energy management
      • Energy Management Systems
      • Electricity
      • Gas
      • Solar
      • Wind
    • Sustainability
      • Environmental Quality
      • Social Value
      • Waste Management
      • Recycling
    • Workspace Design
      • Agile Working
      • Fit-Out & Refurbishment
      • Inclusive Access
      • Lighting
      • Office Interiors
      • Signage
      • Space Planning
      • Storage
      • Vehicle Management / Parking
      • Washroom
    • Sectors
      • Corporate Office
      • Education
      • Healthcare
      • Manufacturing
      • International
      • Retail
      • Sports & Leisure
      • Regions
  • Buyers' Guide
Quick links:
  • Home
  • Know How
Legal Updates
Compliance
Topics
Standards

Amendment 3 of the IET wiring regulations

Open-access content Wednesday 1st July 2015 — updated 1.53pm, Tuesday 5th May 2020

FM professionals need to know Amendment 3 of the IET Wiring Regulations BS 7671:2008, which provides essential requirements and changes for the industry, says Geoff Cronshaw.


1 July 2015 | By Geoff Cronshaw


The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) launched the latest update (Amendment 3) to the IET Wiring Regulations BS 7671:2008 in January. 


This sets out the national standard to which all new and amended electrical installations have to comply and features a number of new changes that all FM professionals need to familiarise themselves with before 01 July 2015. 


The amendment - which follows on from Amendment 1, published in 2011 and Amendment 2, published in 2013 - has some important changes that reflect recent demands within the electrical sector. 


The IET, through the JPEL/64 committee, has revised the IET Wiring Regulations to ensure that they are relevant and meet the needs of professionals operating in the electrical or built environment sectors. 


By complying with the regulations set out in BS 7671:2008+A3:2015, FM professionals can give themselves the peace of mind that the buildings and facilities they oversee are safe for both the public and their own employees. 


BS 7671:2008+A3:2015 was published on 05 January 2015. As usual, there was a six-month lead-in period, meaning that the amended regulations were due to go live at the start of July. 


The changes

Chapter 41 - protection against shocks: A significant change introduced by Amendment 3 is in Chapter 41, which highlights the precautions necessary for protection against electric shock. 


Regulation 411.3.3 requires that, in accordance with 415.1, socket outlets up to 20A must have RCD protection. 


This will be compulsory for all types of installations, whether for commercial, domestic or industrial purposes. The exception to this requirement is where socket outlets are specifically labelled or (for other than domestic) where a documented risk assessment deems that RCD protection is not necessary. For mobile equipment used outdoors RCD protection is required for socket outlets up to 32A.


Chapter 52 - selection and erection of wiring cables: The new amendment requires that cables that are concealed in a wall or partition at a depth of less than 50mm should be protected by a 30 mA RCD (for all installations) if other methods of protection - including the use of either an earthed metallic covering or mechanical protection - are not used.


This will apply to a cable - irrespective of the depth of that cable - in a partition where the construction of the partition includes metallic parts other than fixings. However, the exception for cables that form part of a SELV or PELV circuit will be retained. All of the requirements for the selection and erection of wiring cables can be found in Chapter 52.


Sections 559, 714 and 715 - luminaires and lighting installations: Amendment 3 introduces a number of notable changes to align the BS 7671 requirements with the latest versions of both the IEC and CENELEC standards. Examples of these intended changes include:


  • Moving the requirements for outdoor lighting and extra-low voltage lighting installations from Section 559 to two new sections, Section 714 and Section 715; and 
  • Requirements for the type of devices that are to be used for the connection of luminaires to the supply and the protection of cables against heat and UV radiation effects within luminaires.

 


Section 715 - extra-low voltage lighting: Amendment 3 makes a number of notable changes to align the latest IEC requirements with the latest CENELEC requirements, including:


  • The types of wiring systems permitted; 
  • Voltage drop in consumer's installations; and 
  • Requirements for isolation, switching and control.

 

 

Section 714 outdoor lighting installations: Amendment 3 makes only minor changes to outdoor lighting installations.One important change is that individual circuits will be required to be isolated.


Changing industry standards for the better

The new requirements set out in the amended IET Wiring Regulations demonstrate the importance of the work electrical professionals and FM professionals do, and the standards they need to adhere to in protecting themselves and those in contact with electrical installations. Although Amendment 3 varies in terms of the changes it introduces in each section, it is still vitally important that all FM professionals get to grips with what is required of them and ensure that their work remains safe and up to the required standard. The lowdown on the IET Wiring Regulations is available now, both in print and through digital subscription.   


More information is available here.


Geoff Cronshaw  is chief electrical engineer at the Institution of Engineering and Technology

Also filed in:
Know How
Content
Legal Updates
Compliance
Topics
Standards

You might also like...

Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Linked in
  • Mail
  • Print

Today's top reads

 

Latest Jobs

Project Leader (Maternity Cover One Year Contract)

Cambridge
Circa £50,000 Pro Rata + Benefits & Opportunities
Reference
56378

Maintenance Supervisor

Surrey
Up to £43,000 + Excellent Package & Opportunities
Reference
56376

Regional Facilities Manager

South West England
Circa £40,000 + Benefits & Opportunities
Reference
56375
See all jobs »

 

 

Sign up to our newsletter

News, jobs and updates

Sign up

Subscribe to print

Sign up to receive our bi-monthly magazine

Subscribe
Facilitate magazine cover, June 2020
​
FOLLOW US
@Facilitate_Mag
Facilitate Magazine
Facilitate Magazine
CONTACT US
Contact us
Tel: 020 7880 6200
​

IWFM

About IWFM
Become a member
Qualifications
Events

Information

Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
Cookie Policy
Think Green

Get in touch

Contact us
Advertise with us
Subscribe to Facilitate Magazine
Write for Facilitate Magazine

General

IWFM Jobs
Help

© 2022 • www.facilitatemagazine.com and Facilitate Magazine are published by Redactive Media Group. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any part is not allowed without written permission.

Redactive Media Group Ltd, 71-75 Shelton Street, London WC2H 9JQ