18th Edition BS7671:2018+ Amendment 2:2022

Amendment 2 And The Design And Installation Of Residential Consumer Units

Introduction

Amendment 2 of the Eighteenth edition of the IET Wiring Regulations (BS7671:2018+A2:2022), came into effect on 28th March 2022 and may be implemented immediately.

Amendment 1 (BS7671:2018+A2:2022) remains current until its withdrawal on 27th September 2022.

Amendment 2 Release

The release of Amendment 2 has introduced some fundamental changes which impact on the design and installation of a Residential Consumer Unit.

The document which you can download below sets out to identify and review the key areas affected by the new amendments, as follows:

Lewden P4 Combined AFDD/RCBO

The scope of AFDD’s now changes FROM “recommended in AC final circuits”, TO, “shall be provided for single phase AC final circuits supplying sockets not exceeding 32A,” specifically in buildings where risk to life is greater, either due to the building construction or by its occupational use.

Find out more here View the Lewden P4 Combined AFDD/RCBO range Download Lewden Guide to AFDDs Here

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Surge Protection Devices (SPDs)

Protection against transient over voltages shall be provided where the consequence caused by the over voltage could result in:

Serious injury to, or loss of human life
Failure of a safety service, as defi ned in Part 2
Significant financial or data loss

For all other cases, protection against transient over voltages shall be provided unless the owner of the installation declares it is not required

Find out more here View Our Range of Surge Protection Devices Here View our Surge Protection Device Tutorial Videos Here Complete our Free Lewden CPD Course on SPDs Here

Residual Current Devices (RCDs)

The use of RCBOs to protect final distribution circuits has been further strengthened with the inclusion of a new clause 531.3.2 (ii). This specifically identifies the use of RCBOs in residential premises as a consideration for limiting the risk of unwanted tripping

Find out more here View Our Range of RCBOs & RCDs Here Complete our Free Lewden CPD Course on Types of RCDs Here

On-site testing of RCDs

Amendments to clauses 643.7 & 643.8 have simplified the requirements for testing RCDs within an installation irrespective of RCD type (excluding time delayed RCDs), testing is now only required to be conducted using an alternating test current (AC) at rated residual operating current.

Find out more here View Our Range of RCDs Here Complete our Free Lewden CPD Course on Types of RCDs Here

View our Lewden Guide on the AMENDMENT 2 AND THE DESIGN AND INSTALLATION OF RESIDENTIAL CONSUMER UNITS (BS7671:2018 + AMENDMENT 2 : 2022)