Expert commentary

BS EN 50110-1:2023 — Operation of electrical

installations — Part 1: General requirements
Iain Ross, Director, Threepwood Consulting Ltd
     
1 Overview

BS EN 50110-1:2023 is the third edition of this standard. It technically revises, cancels and replaces the previous edition,
BS EN 50110-1:2013. The standard sets out the requirements for a safe system of work to reduce the risks associated with
the safe operation of and work activity on, with, or near electrical installations. The requirements apply to all operational,
working and maintenance procedures. They also apply to non-electrical work activities such as building work in the vicinity of
overhead lines or underground cables.
The scope of the document covers requirements for ‘Operation of electrical installations’ from extra low voltage (ELV) up to
high voltage (HV) including installations that generate, transform, transmit and distribute electricity whether public or private
electricity systems.
The standard is in two parts (BS EN 50110-1 and BS EN 50110-2) that have been adopted by all CENELEC countries including
the UK. BS EN 50110-1 (Part 1) constitutes minimum requirements for all CENELEC countries and BS EN 50110-2 (Part 2) is
the list of National amendments to Part 1, including supplemental requirements. Clause 34 of Part 2 includes the National
amendments for the UK.
Because it covers many European national laws, standards and internal rules (and is valid for all CENELEC countries), it
outlines the minimum standard that must be met. Indeed, the standard itself recognises that it constitutes the minimum
requirements for all CENELEC countries. As such, it is not prescriptive and does not take into account some of the traditional
practices and requirements in UK.
It must be noted that BS EN 50110-1 is a standards document, not a set of electrical safety rules. As such is it does not
provide sufficient level of detail to be implemented in its own right. However, the requirements in BS EN 50110-1 do form a
reasonable basis for developing a set of electrical safety rules or procedures and can also be used for checking and auditing
the adequacy of existing electrical safety rule requirements.
The level of change incorporated into the revised version of the standard is low. The main changes compared to the previous
edition are:

• improvement and simplification of terms and definitions;

• improvements to several clauses;
• updated normative references and bibliography;
• adjunction of Clause A4 Ergonomic considerations.

  Reasons
1.1 for change
The main technical reason for the revision of BS EN 50110-1 was to promote a gradual alignment in Europe of the safety
levels against electrical hazards.

  Summary
1.2 of changes
As part of the revision, the following significant editorial changes were made:

• Adding an Annex of definitions used within the standard, referencing relevant clauses;
• adding a revised European Foreword;
• introduction and clarification of supervision;
• improvement of terms and definitions in Clause 3, including adding definitions for distances and symbols used in the
standard;
• naming specific roles of persons involved with the operation of electrical installations;
• significant improvements relating to the determination of distances;
• improvements to Subclause 6.1.1 including a flow chart to aid decision-making and signpost relevant clauses;
• improvement of Subclause 6.2 – dead working;
• improvement of Subclause 6.3 – live working;
• improvement of Subclause 6.4 – Working within the vicinity zone of live parts;
• inclusion of Subclause 6.5 – Working outside the vicinity zone;
• significant improvement to Annex A relating to distances, including moving Table A.1 into Subclause 4.112 as Table 1 and
adjunction of Clause A.4 – ergonomic considerations;
• inclusion of Annex C – alphabetic order of terms and definitions; and
• update of the normative references and Bibliography.

2 © The British Standards Institution 2023 Visit bsigroup.com

  Main
2 commentary

The following sections explain more about the substantive changes in this revised standard.

2.1
  Terms and definitions
There have been a number of refinements in the definitions used in the document.

2.1.1   Responsibilities
There are a number of improvements in the way responsibilities of persons involved in working are defined. New definitions
are included for the below.

• Installation Manager (IM) – Formerly referred to as the person responsible for an electrical installation.
• Operation Controller (OC) – Formerly referred to as the nominated person in control of an electrical installation during
work activities.
• Work Controller (WC) – Formerly referred to as the nominated person in control of a work activity.
• Worker (W) – This role was not defined in the previous standard.

Previously these roles were defined by describing the responsibilities, whereas now they specify a named role. These named
roles are referenced throughout the revised standard.
The table below shows the terms used in the 2023 edition of the standard alongside the equivalent terms in the previous
version and the general equivalent terms used within the UK power industry.

New Term Previous Term UK Equivalent Term(s)

Designated Engineer
Installation Manager Person responsible for an electrical installation
Duty Holder
Control Engineer
Nominated person in control of an electrical
Operation Controller System Controller
installation during work activity
Senior Authorised Person
Work Controller Nominated person in control of a work activity Authorised Person
Competent Person
Worker Person carrying out work activities
Nominated Person

2.1.2   Distances
In line with the improvements made in Subclause 4.11 and Annex A, the following terms have been defined.

• Live working limit distance (DL)

• Vicinity limit distance (DV)
• Minimum approach distance for live working (DA)
• Minimum working distance (DW)
• Electrical distance (DU)
• Ergonomic distance <live working>(DE)
• Ergonomic distance <dead working>(E)
• Floating conductive distance (F)
• Distance of the equipment (L)

2.1.3   Symbols
All symbols used in the standard are now defined in Subclause 3.8.

Visit bsigroup.com © The British Standards Institution 2023 3

2.2 Supervision
Two different types of supervision have been introduced into the standard to allow a suitable level of supervision to be
implemented for differing complexity of work and/or voltage, based upon risk assessment:

• work location supervision; and

• personal supervision.

There is also guidance included relating to the competence of the person supervising the work and expectations of their
supervision.

2.3 Determination of distances

The definition of distances has been expanded in this edition and gives guidance in relation to the use of safe working
distances as well as limit distances (in air) from live electrical conductors.

2.3.1 Limit Distances

These are derived from the system voltage, and specify minimum clearances to define:

• the distance of the live working zone from a live conductor;

• the vicinity zone, which is the distance from the live working zone where, when work is undertaken, specific precautions
are taken to avoid encroaching on the live working zone; and
• the maximum distance of the vicinity zone.

The distance figures quoted in the standard are a minimum to be used in the absence of any National guidance in the UK.
These are defined as ‘Safety Distances’ and are published in the Energy Networks Association SHE Standard 07 – Model
Distribution Safety Rules, in voltage bands consistent with transmission and distribution voltage used within the UK.
NOTE: The standard advises that these distances may be used for DC systems up to and including 70 kV.

2.3.2 Working Distances

Working distances have been introduced in this revision and are used for establishing a safe distance for work that takes
place outside the vicinity zone of a live conductor. Working distances can be determined from a risk assessment and by
calculation or estimation. The working distance risk assessment must take into account the nature of the work, the voltage
of the system, the environmental conditions and the type of tools and equipment that could be used during the course of
the work; to establish a minimum distance from the live conductor that must be maintained to avoid encroachment into the
vicinity zone.

2.4 Dead working

Several changes have been made to Subclause 6.2 relating to the requirements for dead working.

2.4.1 Remote control

Where a device is used to secure against re-connection (typically referred to as a point of isolation), there is a new Subclause
6.3.2.2 allowing for this to be carried out using a device controlled remotely, provided local operation is still prevented and
the interlocking and signalling systems used to achieve this are reliable.

2.4.2 Voltage detectors

There is significantly more guidance relating to voltage detectors. Previously only Voltage Detection Systems (VDS) were
allowed to verify the absence of operating voltage. but now the updated standard also allows for the use of Voltage Detection
and Indication Systems (VDIS) that comply to EN IEC 62271-213 for this purpose.
Guidance for verifying the absence of Direct Current (DC) voltages is now included, for both high voltage and low voltage
applications.

4 © The British Standards Institution 2023 Visit bsigroup.com

Additional guidance is now given for the selection of voltage detectors and identification of a suitable discharge time for
installations with capacitors or long cables.
In line with the vicinity working zone changes (see section 2.3), consideration must now be given to any adjacent live parts to
the dead working area that may cause the work to either fall into the vicinity zone or outside of the vicinity zone. Should this
happen, special precautions shall apply as identified in the relevant clauses of the standard.

2.5 Live Working

Any live work carried out using the guidance included in this standard shall comply with the requirements of Regulation 14 of
the Electricity at Work Regulations (as amended).

2.5.1 Work outside the vicinity zone

In line with the definition of a vicinity zone and working distances in this revision, Subclause 6.5 gives guidance for working
outside the vicinity zone, particularly when the nature of the work or the tools and equipment used may increase the risk of
encroachment into the vicinity zone. Previously there was no guidance relating to this situation. Recommendations for work
of this nature are available in ENA SHE Standard 07, and are referred to as Working and Access Clearances.

2.6 Informative annexes

2.6.1 Annex A
Informative Annex A provides guidance for the application of the limit and working distances defined within the standard.
Figure 1, Figure 2 and Table A.1 are now included in the main body of the standard unaltered. Additional information is now
included relating to:

• how the limit distances are derived from EN 61472 for voltages over 72.5 kV and EN IEC 61472-2 for voltages up to 72.5
kV; and
• considerations associated with assessing the risk of encroaching into a vicinity zone during the course of work, including
ergonomic considerations for the person carrying out the work.

2.6.2 Annex C
This informative annex has been added to the standard and consists of an alphabetical list of terms and definitions in the
standard, with relevant clause numbers for reference.

3 Wider context

BS EN 50110-1:2023 covers many European national laws, standards and internal rules regarding the operation of electrical
installations, and it outlines the minimum standards that must be met. The primary legislation governing work of this nature
in the UK is:

• Health and Safety at Work Act 1974;

• Management of Health and Safety Regulations 1999; and
• Electricity at Work Regulations 1989.

Compliance with this revised standard does not deviate from existing legislation. BS EN 50110-2:2023, Clause 34 identifies
all relevant legislation and standards within the UK relating to the operation of electrical installations; these should be
referenced in conjunction with this standard.
The significant revisions defining person roles and distances enhances the requirements of this standard to further reduce
risk associated with operating and working on electrical systems.

Visit bsigroup.com © The British Standards Institution 2023 5

4 Conclusion

For persons to operate or work on an electrical installation, a safe system of work must be in place; this could consist of
either safety rules, procedures or a combination of both. This safe system of work must then be instructed to the person and
may need to be repeated or documented, depending on the complexity of the work. The safe system of work is effectively
control measures identified and determined primarily by risk assessment.
BS EN 50110-1:2023 outlines a basic safe system of work that identifies performance-based requirements that users of the
standard must comply with as a minimum. In identifying these requirements, the standard also provides a framework for
assessing the risks associated with operating an electrical installation and subsequently implementing a safe system of work
for persons operating and working on the system.

5 Suggested Next Steps

• Carry out a Gap Analysis of existing procedures.

• Consider the implications of working in the vicinity of and outside the vicinity of live electrical conductors.
• Develop an action plan with timelines, responsibilities and costs associated with implementing a safe system of work.
• Inform people in the field from management to installation workers of the risks and cost implications on implementation
of the standard.
• Update operating procedures.
• Review training requirements.
• Update relevant technical documentation and operating procedures in line with BS EN 50110-1:2023 and
BS EN 50110-2:2023.

6 Further reading

BS EN IEC 62271-213, High-voltage switchgear and controlgear — Part 213: Voltage detecting and indicating system
BS EN 61472:2013, Live working — Minimum approach distances for a.c. systems in the voltage range 72,5 kV to 800 kV — A
method of calculation
BS EN 50110-2:2023, Operation of electrical installations — Part 2: National annexes
HSR 25, Memorandum of Guidance on The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
Energy Networks Association SHE Standard 07, Model Distribution Safety Rules
The Power of Standards, https://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/standards/explore-standards/the-power-of-standards/overview-
guide-to-implementation/ [accessed 16 August 2023]

6 © The British Standards Institution 2023 Visit bsigroup.com

 Author
Iain Ross is a Director and Principal Consultant at Threepwood Consulting Ltd having joined in 2014. Iain is the
lead consultant for Health, Safety and Environmental projects, most recently revising the ENA Model Distribution
Safety Rules. Previously Iain held a number of engineering and management roles working for Bermuda Electric
Light Company (BELCO). Prior to his work in Bermuda, Iain was employed by Integrated Utility Services Ltd (IUS)
as a Project Engineer managing contestable capital and maintenance work. Iain started his career at NEDL (now
Northern Powergrid) working as a Senior Authorised Person (SAP), primarily involved with maintenance and
inspection work up to and including 132 kV rated assets. Iain is an experienced operational engineer with a broad
knowledge and understanding of electrical plant and its safe operation, specialising in electrical operational safety
rules and procedures.

Technical reviewer
Dr Tony Sung, Director, Energy Reduction Management Ltd, Chairman of BSI PEL/099 and GEL/600

Disclaimer
 This commentary is commissioned text from expert authorities in their industry. It has been commissioned, edited and reviewed for technical accuracy
before publication but remains the personal opinion of the individual experts who have provided it. It is not official British Standards guidance.
Accordingly, BSI cannot accept liability for any direct or indirect loss or damage arising from a reliance on the commentary except to the extent that
such liability may not be excluded by law.

BSI Group
389 Chiswick High Road
London, W4 4AL
United Kingdom Buy your copy BS EN 50110-1:2023
T: +44 345 086 9001 now at: shop.bsigroup.com
E: cservices@bsigroup.com
bsigroup.com

Visit bsigroup.com © The British Standards Institution 2023 7