17th Edition Amendments:

The first Amendments to BS7671:2008 are now in force, & the old
‘Red Book’ has been replaced by a ‘Green’ version

This page covers those areas that are changing in BS7671:2008 - and who it will affect...

The easiest way to see the changes is to access the PowerPoint presentation below & read through your Green Regulations as you watch the slide show...

Amendments PowerPoint Slideshow Don't Have Microsoft Powerpoint Download A Free Powerpoint Veiwer Here Or simply download the presentation in a PDF: Click Here

Or alternatively, the straightforward overview of those areas that have encountered changes are listed below:

Protection against electric shock - Chapter 41
The 17th Edition introduced a requirement for additional protection by means of a 30 mA RCD for socket-outlets up to 20A that are for use by ordinary persons (with certain exceptions). Amendment number one proposes permission for an exception for minor works.

Who will it affect? This proposal is a significant change from the 17th Edition and affects all persons carrying out alteration work on installations under the control of ordinary persons such as domestic installations.

Measures against electromagnetic disturbances - new section 444
Welding machines, lifts, transformers and switching of inductive loads such as electric motors, fluorescent lighting etc are all sources of electromagnetic disturbances within an installation. Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) may disturb or damage IT systems/equipment as well as electronic components or circuits.
Any change in an electric current will cause a change in the strength of its associated electromagnetic field which in turn can induce voltages and currents in other conductors in the field.
Amendment one of BS 7671:2008 contains requirements in a new section 444 which also provides recommendations to enable the avoidance and reduction of electromagnetic disturbances.

Who will it affect?
All persons involved in the design, erection, and verification of affected electrical installations need to be familiar with this section.

Selection and erection of wiring systems - Chapter 52
The 17th Edition introduced a new series of regulations concerning cables concealed in a wall or partition, including the requirement for RCD protection. Amendment number one proposes permission for exception for minor works concerning cables concealed in a wall or partition where the designer is satisfied that there would be minimal increased risk of damage to the circuit cable due to penetration by screws and nails etc.

Who will it affect?
This proposal is a significant change from the 17th Edition and affects all persons carrying out alteration work on concealing installations such as domestic installations.

Devices for protection against overvoltage (surge protection) - new section 534 Both lightning strikes and electrical switching can inject what are called transient overvoltages into installations. Transient voltages are usually only a few micro seconds in duration. However their peak value can reach 6 kV. Amendment one of BS 7671:2008 has requirements in a new section, 534, for the installation of SPDs to limit transient overvoltages and divert damaging surge current away from sensitive equipment such as computers, electronic process controls etc which are now widespread in electrical installations.

Who will it affect?
All persons involved in the design, erection, and verification of these types of electrical installations needs to be familiar with section 534

There are particular risks associated with medical locations. Therefore stringent measures are necessary to ensure the safety of patients likely to be subjected to the application of medical electrical equipment.

Who will it affect?

All persons involved in the design, erection, and verification of electrical installations in medical locations need to be familiar with the draft requirements contained in this new section of the first amendment.

Operating or maintenance gangways - new section 729 Regulation 15 of the Electricity at work Regulations has requirements for working space, access and lighting and requires that, for the purposes of enabling injury to be prevented, adequate working space, adequate means of access and adequate lighting shall be provided at all electrical equipment on which or near which work is being done in circumstances which may give rise to danger. Amendment one of BS 7671:2008 now has requirements in a new section 729 including width of gangways, access areas adequate for work, operational access, emergency access, and emergency evacuation etc.

Who will it affect?
All persons involved in the design, erection, and verification of restricted areas such switch rooms with switchgear and control gear assemblies need to be familiar with the new requirements.

Model forms for certification and reporting - Appendix 6
Periodic inspection and testing is necessary because all electrical installations deteriorate due to a number of factors such as damage, wear, tear, corrosion, excessive electrical loading, ageing and environmental influences. Legislation requires that electrical installations are maintained in a safe condition and therefore must be periodically inspected and tested.

Detailed versions of these new forms are listed within the slideshow attached via the PowerPoint link at the top of this page...
Amendment number one introduces an electrical installation condition report that replaces the periodic inspection report.

Who will it affect?
All persons involved in the periodic inspection of electrical installations need to be familiar with this.

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