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electricians guide
ELECTRICIANS
GUIDE TO THE
BUILDING
REGULATIONS
Contents
Cooperating organisations
vii
Preface
ix
Chapter 1
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
1.7
1.8
1.9
1.10
Legislation
Chapter 2
1
5
8
10
13
15
15
15
16
16
17
2.1 Design
2.2 Selection of materials
2.3 Installation
17
19
20
Chapter 3
27
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
Mains position
27
29
32
36
39
iii
Chapter 4
Circuit specifications
43
49
51
51
52
53
Chapter 5
55
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
5.6
5.7
5.8
5.9
Chapter 6
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4
55
56
58
63
65
66
67
69
69
71
71
78
80
93
Safe working
95
95
96
97
98
98
Chapter 8
8.1
8.2
8.3
8.4
Introduction
Inspection
Testing
Operation of residual current devices (RCDs) and residual current
breakers with overcurrent protection (RCBOs)
Chapter 7
7.1
7.2
7.3
7.4
7.5
Introduction
Kitchens
Locations containing a bath or shower
Swimming pools, hot tubs, etc.
Hot air saunas
Floor and ceiling heating systems
Outdoor lighting and power, sheds and garages
Solar photovoltaic systems and small-scale embedded generators
Builders supplies
43
Maintenance
101
101
102
102
102
iv
Chapter 9
9.1
9.2
9.3
9.4
9.5
9.6
9.7
9.8
9.9
Three-phase supplies
113
Electricity distribution
Dwellings
Characteristics of three-phase supplies
Fault levels
Design
Alternating voltage and current
Power
Single-phase a.c. equipment
Three-phase a.c. equipment
113
113
114
116
116
117
118
119
119
121
122
125
145
11.1
11.2
11.3
11.4
11.5
11.6
11.7
145
147
149
150
151
151
152
Introduction
Addition or alteration to an existing installation
Switch wires
Intermediate and two-way switch wires
Line conductors in a new installation
Changes to cable core colour identification
Addition or alteration to a d.c. installation
131
132
134
138
142
153
12.1
12.2
12.3
12.4
12.5
12.6
12.7
153
154
154
155
158
159
162
Introduction
Legislation
Scottish guidance documents
Procedures
Electrical installations
Guidance on electrical work not requiring a warrant
Comparison between Scottish and English guidance documents
163
13.1
13.2
13.3
13.4
13.5
163
164
166
169
172
Introduction
Approved Document P: Electrical safety Dwellings
Notification to Building Control
Non-notifiable minor work
Provision of information
173
203
207
215
Index
231
vi
Cooperating
organisations
The Institution acknowledges the invaluable contribution made by the following
organisations in the preparation of this Guide.
Association of Manufacturers of
Domestic Electrical Appliances
S.A. MacConnacher BSc CEng MIEE MInstR
BEAMA Ltd
P.D. Galbraith IEng MIIE MCMI MIEE
BEAMA Installations Ltd
Eur Ing M.H. Mullins BA CEng FIEE FIIE
P. Sayer IEng MIIE GCGI
British Cables Association
C.K. Reed IEng MIIE
City & Guilds of London Institute
H.R. Lovegrove IEng FIIE
Department for Communities and Local
Government
K. Bromley MIEE
Electrical Contractors Association
G. Digilio IEng FIEE ACIBSE MSLL
Electrical Safety Council
ERA Technology Ltd
M.W. Coates BEng
vii
viii
Preface
This book gives guidance on the Building Regulations for England, Scotland and Wales. It
includes guidance not only on the requirements for electrical installations (Part P) but also
for other parts of the Building Regulations (Parts A, B, C, E, F, L and M) that persons carrying
out electrical installations are expected to comply with.
This book has been updated in line with BS 7671:2008(2011) and the changes to Approved
Document P that took place in April 2013. Further information pertaining to the third-party
certification will be available from the IET website at www.theiet.org/building-regs
after the implementation of competency schemes by the Department for Communities
and Local Government (DCLG). Check back to this web page to download the updates
free of charge.
This book is designed as a course book for a range of EAL qualifications, including:
ff the EAL Level 3 Certificate In Installing, Testing and Ensuring Compliance of
Electrical Installations in Dwellings (QCF) and
ff the EAL Level 3 Award In Approving Electrical Installation Work in Dwellings in
Compliance with Building Regulations
which have been developed to meet the new Qualified Supervisors technical competence
requirements.
Domestic circuit schedules that comply with BS 7671:2008 Requirements for Electrical
Installations (IEE Wiring Regulations 17th Edition) are described. They are not necessarily
the most cost-effective for any particular installation, but have the advantage of being
simple and generally applicable.
Approved Documents are intended to provide guidance for some of the more common
building situations. However, there may well be alternative ways of achieving compliance
with the requirements. Thus, there is no obligation to adopt any particular solution
contained in an Approved Document if you prefer to meet the relevant requirement in
some other way.
ix
Index
A
accessibility requirements
2.1.2.3, 10.7
additions and alterations
2.1.2, 7.2
alternative supplies, warning
3.4.11
1.2.2, Ch. 10
Approved Documents
A: Structure
10.1
B: Fire safety
10.2, App. C
C: Site preparation and
resistance to contaminants
and moisture
10.3
D: Resistance to the passage of
sound
10.4
E: Ventilation
10.5
L1: Conservation of fuel and
power
10.6
M: Access to and use of buildings 10.7
P: Electrical safety
1.3, 5.1
bathrooms
5.3
notifiable work
1.5.2
ventilation
10.5
bedrooms, with shower
5.3.2
boiler efficiency
10.6.3
bonding conductors: see protective
bonding conductors
bonding connections to metal pipes 3.3.2
labelling
3.4.1
builders supplies
5.9
Building Control
certification of work by
1.4.4, 6.1.2
notification to
1.4.1, 1.4.41.4.5
Building Regulations
1.2.1
non-notifiable work
1.6
notifiable work
1.5
notification to Building Control, etc. 1.4
provision of information
1.7
Scotland
1.8, 1.2.1, Ch. 12
Wales
1.9, 1.2.1
see also Approved documents
building work, definition
1.2.1
buried cables
5.7.2
cables
colour codes
3.4.9, 4.1.2, Ch. 11
cross-sectional areas
Table 2.3.1,
Table 4.1
grouping
4.1.1
installation
2.3
openings for
10.4, App. C/7
rating
Table 2.3.1, Table 4.1
in thermal insulation
2.3.1
cable sheath earths
3.2.2
ceiling heating systems
5.6
ceilings, cables above 2.3.2, Table 2.3.1
CE marks
2.2.2
certification of work
1.4.21.4.4,
6.1.26.1.3
certification schemes
2.2.3, App. B
chases
10.1.2
circuit breakers: see residual current
devices (RCDs)
circuit protective conductors, testing 6.3.4
circuits
Ch. 4, Table 4.1
cooker
4.4
lighting
4.6
permanently connected equipment 4.3
socket-outlets and fused
connection units
4.2
water and space heating
4.5
colour codes
3.4.9, 4.1.2, Ch. 11
compartmentation
App. C/5
competent enterprises 1.4.1, 13.3, App. A
competent persons
1.4.2, 6.1.2,
App. A, App. B
compliance
1.3.3
compliance certificates
1.4.7, 6.1.2
condition reporting
8.4
conductors
identification
Ch. 11
operating temperatures
2.3.1
see also earthing conductors;
protective bonding conductors
231
Index
electrical supply
alternative supplies
3.4.11
connection
1.1.7
construction sites
5.9
location
2.1.1, 3.1, 10.3
supply systems
3.2
three-phase
9.1
electric floor heating
5.6, 5.3.1
Electricity at Work Regulations
1.1.2
Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity
Regulations (ESQCR)
1.1.7, 2.1.1, 3.1
electric panel heaters
10.6.4
Electrotechnical Assessment Scheme
7.1
Electrotechnical Assessment
Specification (EAS)
App. A
embedded generators
5.8
energy conservation
10.6
equipment standards
2.2.2
exemptions
1.3.2
extensions to existing buildings 2.1.2, 7.2
smoke alarms
10.2.2
external lighting
5.7, 10.6.2
extractor fans
5.3.1, 10.5
d.c. installations
11.7
defects in electrical installations
7.4
diagrams
3.4.7
disability access
2.1.2.3, 10.7
distribution boards
labelling
3.4.3
location and accessibility
3.1
see also consumer units
domestic hot water (DHW)
10.6.3
earth clamps
3.4.1
earth electrode resistance
6.3.8
earth fault loop impedance
6.3.9
earthing
3.3
earthing conductors
3.3.2
continuity tests
6.3.4
earthing connections, labelling
3.4.1
earthing terminal
3.3.1
electrical equipment
builders
5.9
compliance with standards
2.2.2
permanently connected
4.3
supplied from more than one
source
3.4.5
three-phase
9.9
Electrical Installation Certificates
6.1.3
electrical installations
additions and alterations
2.1.2, 7.2
cable installation
2.3
condition report
8.4
inspection
6.2, 8.3
materials and equipment
compliance
2.2
new buildings (installations)
2.1.1
pre-work surveys and tests
7.27.3
three-phase supplies
9.5
see also circuits
electrical safety
1.3, 5.1
see also safe working
fault current
6.3.10, 9.4
fire detection and alarm systems
10.2.2,
10.2.4, App. C/1
fire protection 10.2.3, App. C/5, App. C/7
fire stopping
App. C/7
flood protection
2.1.1, 3.1
floor heating systems
5.6
floors, cables under
2.3.2, 10.1.1
functional testing
6.3.11
fuse rating
Table 4.1
garages
garden lighting and power
gas installation pipework
greenhouses
5.7.3
5.7
3.1.1
5.7.3
232
Index
storage radiator circuits
Table 4.1
water and space heating circuits
4.5
height of switches and sockets
10.7
home laundry
5.3.1
hot air saunas
5.5
hot tubs
5.4
hot water systems
10.6.3
meter position
2.1.1, 3.1, 10.3
minimum cross-section areas
Table 4.1
minor work
1.6, 1.4.8
motor rating
9.9
multiple supplies, warning notice
3.4.11
kitchens
ventilation
2.3.2, 10.1.1
5.2
10.5
labelling
3.4, 9.5
laundry equipment
5.3.1
legislation
Ch. 1
lighting circuits
4.6, 11.4, Table 4.1
testing
6.3.4, 6.3.6, 6.3.7
lighting efficiency
10.6.110.6.2
local authority: see Building Control
loft conversions
10.2.2
luminaires
bathrooms and shower rooms
5.3.1
openings for
7.4, 10.4
swimming pools, etc.
5.4.3
thermal insulation over
10.6.5
mains supply: see electrical supply
maintenance inspections
Ch. 8
Management of Health and Safety
at Work Regulations 1999
1.1.3
materials selection
2.2
maximum cable length
Table 4.1
maximum fault current
6.3.10, 9.4
maximum test loop impedance Table 4.1
openings
10.4, App. C/7
outbuildings
5.7.3
outdoor lighting and power
5.7
overhead supplies
3.2.3
partitions, cables in
2.3.3
periodic inspection
8.3
permanently connected equipment
4.3,
Table 4.1
personal protective equipment
1.1.6,
App. D2.2, App. D3.4
Personal Protective Equipment at
Work Regulations
1.1.6
photovoltaic systems
3.4.11, 3.4.12
plastic supply pipes
3.3.2
plate switches in bath/shower rooms 5.3.1
polarity tests
6.3.7
ponds
5.7.6
power factor
9.79.9
power tools
App. D2.10
pre-work surveys
7.2
pre-work tests
7.3, App. D3.4
prospective fault current
6.3.10, 9.4
protective bonding conductors 3.3.2, 3.4.1
continuity tests
6.3.4
protective clothing and equipment
1.1.6,
App. D2.2, App. D3.4
protective equipotential bonding
3.3
protective multiple earthing (PME) 3.2.1,
9.2
Provision and Use of Work
Equipment Regulations 1998
1.1.5
Q no entries
R
reactive power
9.7
reference methods
2.3.1
registered competent enterprise 1.4.1, 13.3
233
Index
registered competent persons 1.4.2, 6.1.2,
App. A
registered third party
1.4.3, 6.1.2
regulations
Building
1.2.1
Construction (Design and
Management) (CDM)
1.1.4, 1.1.8
Electricity at Work
1.1.2
Electricity Safety, Quality and
Continuity (ESQCR) 1.1.7, 2.1.1, 3.1
Personal Protective Equipment
1.1.6
Work Equipment
1.1.5
residual current breakers with
overcurrent protection (RCBOs)
6.4
residual current devices (RCDs)
applications
3.5.2
notices
3.4.8
rating
Table 4.1
testing
6.4
where required
3.5.1
ring circuits
4.2, Table 4.1
testing
6.3.5
risk assessment
7.1
testing
testing notices
test loop impedance
thermal insulation
third party, registered
three-phase supplies
TN-C-S system
TN-S system
TT system
tumble driers
safe access
App. D2.4
safety instructions
App. D
safety policy
7.1
safe working
6.3.1, Ch. 7
sanitary accommodation
10.5
see also bathrooms
saunas
5.5
Scotland
Building Regulations 1.8, 1.2.1, Ch. 12
certification of work
12.4
electrical installations
12.5
exemptions
12.6, 12.4.5
legislation
12.2
warrants
12.4
self-certification schemes
13.3, App. B
sheds
5.7.3
short circuit current: see fault current
shower circuits
4.5, Table 4.1
notifiable work
1.5.2
shower rooms
5.3
ventilation
10.5
smoke alarms
10.2.2, App. C/1
socket-outlets
4.2
bathrooms and shower rooms
5.3.1
heights
10.7
kitchens
5.2.2
separating and cavity walls
10.4
swimming pools, etc.
5.4.4
6.3
3.4.6
Table 4.1
2.3.1, 10.6.5
1.4.3, 6.1.2
11.2.2, Ch. 9
3.2.1
3.2.2
3.2.3, 5.7.3, 6.3.8
5.3.1
unqualified installers
unregistered persons
utility rooms, ventilation
1.4.6
1.4.5
10.5
ventilation systems
10.5
Wales
12.6, Ch. 13
Approved Document P
13.2
Building Regulations
1.9, 1.2.1
non-notifiable minor work
13.4
notification to Building Control
13.3
provision of information
13.5
wall chases
10.1.2
walls, cables installed in
2.3.3
warm air heating systems
10.6.4
warning notices
3.4.93.4.12, 7.4
warrants
12.4
washing machines
5.3.1
water heater circuits
4.5
wiring
2.3.1
cable colours
3.4.9, 4.1.2, Ch. 11
diagrams
3.4.7
X, Y & Z no entries
Electricians Guide to the Building Regulations
The Institution of Engineering and Technology
234