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4. Electrical Wiring Regulations Explained

Electrical Wiring Regulations Explained

Our guide explains BS 7671 and the current electrical wiring regulations and
standards in the UK.
Topics Covered in this Guide:
 What are the Wiring Regulations?
 British Standard BS 7671
 Common Terminology
 Wires and Cables
 Wire Colours
 FAQs

What are the Wiring Regulations?

The wiring regulations (commonly referred to simply as ‘wiring regs’ or ‘the
regs’) are a national standard used in the UK for electrical wiring. This
standard lays out the requirement for installation of fixed cabling within a
building to ensure the adherence of safety and proper practice. It also covers
the testing of wiring.

Wiring regulations are designed to ensure a consistent, safe approach to

wiring and electrical works throughout the UK. The very first edition was
released in 1882. Since then, the wiring regulations standard has evolved
over the years. Subsequent editions have been published as technology and
thinking on safe procedures have developed over time.

UK wiring standards are typically harmonised with wider European

regulations, as well as the IEC 60446 standard. However, there are some key
differences between regulations in the UK and elsewhere, so it is important to
be aware of the specific standards and their electrical applications.
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British Standard BS 7671

BS 7671 is the 18th edition and the current standard used in the UK. It came
into effect from 1st January 2019 and is the national standard used for
electrical installation and wiring safety across domestic, commercial, and
industrial properties.

BS 7671 covers circuits supplied at nominal voltages up to and including

1000V AC or 1500V DC. It also applies to Extra Low Voltage (ELV) ranges
and Low Voltage (LV) ranges, across a variety of frequencies.
The 18th edition superseded the previous 17th edition (in effect from 2008 to
2018) and introduced several key additions. These included performance
levels relating to energy efficiency, as well as the use of arc fault detection
devices and surge protection devices. The 18th edition standard was
amended in February 2020 with a change relating to electric vehicle charging
installations.

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What is Edition 18 Training?

The regulations are complex and can sometimes be difficult to understand

and interpret. Specialist training courses can offer certification to show that an
individual has been tested and has shown to have a sound understanding of
the regulations.

These training courses focus on developing knowledge and understanding of

the regulations as well as their practical application in electrical installation
and wiring works. The certification or qualification gained will prove beneficial
for the individual in completing work within the electrical industry.

Common Terminology
Various common terminology is used throughout the wiring regulations. It is
important to have a full understanding of the terms, what they mean, and how
they relate to wiring and electrical work you may be carrying out.

Some of the most common terms and phrases are explained below:

Building Regulations
The building regulations outline criteria and requirements for electrical safety.
Compliance with building regulations is essential for anyone carrying out
electrical installation work on domestic properties in the UK.

Building regulations do not restrict who can carry out proposed works and
neither do they define standards for the safety of electrical devices and
appliances. With regards to appliances, they simply require that fixed
connections are safe. The quality and safety of the actual appliance itself is
not covered by the regulations and is the responsibility of the homeowner or
resident.

Competent Person Schemes

This principally refers to Part P of the regulations. To have the ability to certify
your own work, you must be part of a domestic installers’ competent person
scheme. This could include several organisations and bodies, such as NAPIT,
Elecsa, and NICEIC, to name just a few.

However, to join a competent person scheme, you must show the

organisation that you have the required experience and understanding. This is
because they need to be satisfied that you can complete works safely and in
compliance with the necessary standards.

Permit to Work

In the context of electrical wiring regulations, a permit to work is simply a

formal confirmation that electrical wiring has been isolated and made fully
safe. This is vital to receive before any work is started, especially with regards
to high voltage and high-risk works.

Beginning work without a permit to work is not only against the regulations,
but it is also unsafe and could potentially be extremely dangerous. Electrical
safety is paramount, which is why the permit to work is so important when
dealing with wiring and circuitry.

Wires and Cables

The following provides a brief overview of the three core electrical cables and
wiring types:
Live Cable and Wiring

Also known as line or phase, this is the wire which carries the power in a
standard low-voltage domestic electrical installation. It is colour-coded
brown in the UK.

Neutral Cable and Wiring

In a standard, low-voltage domestic installation, this is the power-carrying

wire which is typically bonded to earth voltage by the supplier. In the UK,
this wire is colour-coded blue.

Earth Cable and Wiring

Also known as ground (primarily in the US), this is the safety wire which
provides the connection to earth. It is colour-coded with a green and
yellow stripe.
Wire Colours
Mains cable colours have been standardised across Europe and the UK since
2006. This enables them to comply with international standard IEC 60446 as
well as BS 7671.

The current UK wiring colours are:

o Brown (live)
o Blue (neutral)
o Green and yellow (earth)

As with all types of electrical work, wiring colours must be consistent in order
to avoid confusion and ensure safety. Specific wiring colour regulations, as
determined by BS 7671, are required to ensure the easy identification of
different wires in fixed wiring electricity supplies. Compliance with the
regulations is key and the set wire colours should be adhered to at all times.
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FAQs
What DIY Electrical Work is Allowed?

Domestic electrical work can be broken down into two categories – notifiable
and non-notifiable works. Notifiable works are generally larger-scale or more
complex jobs, where both the risk and level of knowledge needed are higher.

As a result, notifiable works should only be completed by professionals and

fully-qualified, registered electricians. Many people prefer to use those
registered with the competent person scheme as they can self-certify
regulation compliance. If the installer is not registered on the scheme, then the
works will need to be certified by either a registered third-party certifier or a
building control body (typically the local authority), and they will need to be
notified before work commences.

Notifiable works include:

o Installation of a new circuit

o Replacement of a consumer unit or fuse box
o Changes to an existing circuit in a special location

Special locations and installations include:

o Rooms containing showers or bathtubs

o Rooms containing swimming pools or sauna heaters
o Electric floor heating systems
o Kitchens and outdoors – garden lighting or power installations, for
example (only applicable in Wales)

However, the majority of works are non-notifiable. This typically includes work
such as maintenance, replacement, repairs, additions and alterations to
existing installations outside of designated special locations and the notifiable
exceptions explained above.

Minor electrical works meeting the above criteria can be carried out by
homeowners, but it is still essential to comply with regulations and follow best
practice for safety reasons. Additionally, wiring or circuits that are unsafe or
have not been certified may invalidate home insurance, so you should not be
tempted to take the risk.
Is BS 7671 a Legal Requirement?

Under the Health & Safety at Work Act section 17, you could be prosecuted
for non-compliance with the BS 7671 regulations. It is widely accepted that
compliance with the regulations and associated requirements will also ensure
you comply with the 1989 Electricity at Work Regulations.

Do All Electricians Need 18th Edition?

It is not a requirement for all electricians to be certified under the 18th edition
wiring regulations. Many find accreditation beneficial as it means they can
self-certify compliance, but electricians can operate without being part of a
competent person scheme.

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