Contents

List of tables xix

Acknowledgements xxvii

1 Introduction 1
1.1 Some history 1
1.2 CENELEC 2
1.3 Deviations 4
1.4 Note by the Health and Safety Executive 5
1.5 Plan of BS 7671 5

2 Scope, object and fundamental principles 9

2.1 Scope 9
2.2 Relationship with statutory regulations 9
2.2.1 The Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity
Regulations 2002 10
2.2.2 The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 10
2.2.3 Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 10
2.2.4 The Building Regulations, Scotland 12
2.2.5 The Building Regulations, England, Ireland and
Wales 12
2.2.6 The Construction (Design and Management)
Regulations 2007 13
2.2.7 The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 14
2.2.8 The Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations
2006 14
2.2.9 The Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 15
2.2.10 The Construction Products Directive 15
2.3 Object and effects 15
2.4 Fundamental principles 16
2.4.1 Protection for safety 16
2.4.2 Design 16
2.4.3 Selection of electrical equipment 16
2.4.4 Erection, initial verification and periodic inspection and
testing 16
viii Commentary on IEE Wiring Regulations

2.5 Equipment marking (CE and approval body) 17

2.6 Premises subject to licensing 18

3 Assessment of general characteristics 19

3.1 General 19
3.2 Purpose, supplies and structure 19
3.3 Maximum demand 19
3.3.1 The Building Regulations 19
3.3.2 BS 7671 20
3.3.3 Estimation of maximum demand 20
3.3.4 Other methods of demand estimation 27
3.4 Arrangement of live conductors and type of earthing 27
3.5 Types of earthing arrangement 27
3.6 Supplies 31
3.7 Supplies for safety services and standby systems 32
3.8 Division of the installation 33
3.9 External influences 33
3.10 Compatibility 34
3.10.1 General 34
3.10.2 Electromagnetic compatibility 34
3.11 Maintenance 34
3.12 Construction 35
3.13 Continuity of service 35

4 Protection against electric shock 37

4.1 The physiology of electric shock 37
4.1.1 Ventricular fibrillation 37
4.1.2 Effects of current on the skin 40
4.1.3 Impedance of the human body 40
4.1.4 Total impedance of the human body 41
4.1.5 Touch voltage 43
4.2 Some definitions 46
4.2.1 Exposed-conductive-parts 46
4.2.2 Extraneous-conductive-parts 47
4.2.3 Protective conductors 47
4.2.4 Protective measures and provisions 48
4.3 Provisions for basic protection 50
4.3.1 Introduction 50
4.3.2 Basic protective provision: insulation of live parts 51
4.3.3 Basic protective provision: barriers or enclosures 52
4.4 Protective measure: automatic disconnection of supply 53
4.4.1 Touch voltages in TN systems 53
4.4.2 Touch voltages in TT systems 56
4.4.3 Automatic disconnection times 57
4.4.4 Supplementary equipotential bonding 59
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4.4.5 Additional protection 61

4.4.6 Automatic disconnection, TN systems 63
4.4.7 Automatic disconnection, TT systems 64
4.4.8 Neutral-to-earth faults in RCD-protected
installations 66
4.4.9 Automatic disconnection, IT systems 67
4.4.10 Functional extra-low voltage 70
4.5 Protective measure: double or reinforced insulation 73
4.5.1 General 73
4.5.2 Class II equipment in installations using the protective
measure automatic disconnection 75
4.5.3 Class II appliances 75
4.6 Protective measure: electrical separation to one item of
equipment 76
4.7 Protective measure: extra-low voltage (SELV or PELV) 77
4.7.1 General 77
4.7.2 SELV and PELV access to live conductors (basic
protection) 77
4.7.3 SELV 79
4.8 Additional protection in accordance with Section 415 79
4.8.1 RCDs 79
4.8.2 Supplementary equipotential bonding 80
4.9 Protective measures controlled or supervised by skilled
persons 81
4.9.1 Protective measure: obstacles 81
4.9.2 Protective measure: placing out of reach 81
4.10 Protective measures under control or supervision of skilled or
instructed persons 82
4.10.1 Protection by non-conducting location 83
4.10.2 Protection by earth-free local equipotential
bonding 84
4.10.3 Protective measure: electrical separation to
more than one item of equipment 85
4.11 Conductor resistance 87
4.12 Conductor resistance and testing 87

5 Protection against thermal effects 91

5.1 Introduction 91
5.2 Fires in occupied buildings 91
5.3 Protection against fire caused by electrical equipment 92
5.3.1 Introduction 92
5.3.2 Arcing or the emission of high-temperature
particles 96
5.3.3 Flammable liquids 96
5.3.4 Terminations 96
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5.4 Precautions where a particular risk of fire exists 97

5.4.1 General 97
5.4.2 Requirements for escape routes in high-rise buildings
and locations open to the public etc. 98
5.5 Locations with risks of fire due to nature of processed or stored
materials 99
5.6 Locations with combustible constructional materials 100
5.7 Fire propagating structures 100
5.8 Locations of significance 100
5.9 Protection against burns 100
5.10 Minimization of the spread of fire 102
5.10.1 Introduction 102
5.10.2 Selection of cables and cable systems 102
5.10.3 Sealing of penetrations 102

6 Protection against overcurrent 105

6.1 General 105
6.1.1 Overload currents 105
6.1.2 Fault currents 105
6.1.3 Ageing of cables 106
6.2 Protection against overload current 108
6.2.1 General 108
6.2.2 Ring final circuits 112
6.2.3 Variable loads 115
6.2.4 Peak currents 116
6.2.5 Position of devices for overload protection 118
6.2.6 Omission of devices for protection against overload 118
6.2.7 Omission of overload protective devices in IT
systems 119
6.3 Protection against fault current 119
6.3.1 General 119
6.3.2 Fault current protective devices 119
6.3.3 Determination of prospective fault current 120
6.3.4 Rated short-circuit capacity 130
6.3.5 Omission of protection against overload (protection
against fault current only) 131
6.3.6 Characteristics of protective devices 133
6.3.7 Busbar trunking fault ratings 136
6.3.8 I 2 t energy let-through calculation 137
6.3.9 Protection against overload and short-circuit 138
6.4 Calculation of k 138
6.5 Non-adiabatic calculations 139
6.6 Protection of conductors in parallel 141
6.7 Flexible cables and cords 142
6.8 Appliance flexible cords 146
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6.9 Motor starters 146

6.10 Coordination of overload current and fault current
protection 147
6.11 Harmonics and overcurrent protection 148
6.11.1 Introduction 148
6.11.2 Overcurrent protection 149

7 Protection against overvoltages 151

7.1 Introduction 151
7.2 Protection against faults between high voltage systems and
Earth 151
7.2.1 The Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity
Regulations 151
7.2.2 HV fault voltages 153
7.2.3 Distribution Network Operators’ requirements 156
7.3 Power frequency stress voltages 160
7.4 Protection against overvoltages of atmospheric origin or due to
switching 161
7.5 Protection against electromagnetic influences 162

8 Common rules for the selection and erection of equipment 165

8.1 Compliance with standards 165
8.1.1 Harmonized standards 165
8.1.2 European Norms (ENs) 166
8.1.3 Harmonized documents 166
8.1.4 CE marking 166
8.2 Voltage 167
8.3 Compatibility 168
8.3.1 General 168
8.3.2 Electromagnetic compatibility 169
8.3.3 Electromagnetic interference in buildings 170
8.3.4 System selection for EMC 172
8.3.5 Multiple power sources and EMC 172
8.3.6 Alternative supplies, four-pole changeover switch 172
8.3.7 Existing buildings 173
8.4 IEE publication: ‘Electromagnetic interference: report of the
Public Affairs study group’ 174
8.5 Interference with telecommunications and data-processing
equipment 175
8.6 Flicker effects 175
8.7 Interference with other electricity users 176
8.8 External influences 177
8.9 Accessibility 177
8.9.1 General 177
8.9.2 Operating and maintenance gangways 177
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8.10 Identification and notices 181

8.10.1 Conduit 181
8.10.2 Identification of utility ducts, pipes and
cables 181
8.11 Identification of conductors 182
8.12 Diagrams 185
8.13 Warning, etc. notices 185
8.13.1 Voltage 185
8.13.2 Isolation 187
8.13.3 Periodic inspection and testing 187
8.13.4 Electromagnetic compatibility 188
8.14 Rubber mats 188

9 Selection and erection of wiring systems 189

9.1 Introduction 189
9.2 Electromagnetic effects 189
9.2.1 Electromechanical stresses 189
9.3 Selection and erection in relation to external influences 191
9.3.1 Introduction 191
9.3.2 Ambient temperature 191
9.3.3 Impact 191
9.4 Buried cables 197
9.4.1 Buried cables: Electricity Safety, Quality and
Continuity Regulations 198
9.4.2 Buried cables: positioning and colour coding of
underground utilities’ apparatus 199
9.5 Current-carrying capacities of conductors 203
9.5.1 General 203
9.5.2 Conductor operating temperature 204
9.5.3 Effect of load on conductor operating
temperature 204
9.6 Conductors in parallel 205
9.6.1 General 205
9.6.2 Single-core cables, flat or trefoil (reference
method F) 206
9.7 Cables in thermal insulation 207
9.7.1 General 207
9.7.2 Table 52.2 of BS 7671– Cable surrounded by thermal
insulation 208
9.8 Metallic sheaths and/or non-magnetic armour of single-core
cables 210
9.8.1 Calculation of sheath voltages 210
9.8.2 Corrosion 212
9.8.3 Hazard 213
9.9 Cross-sectional area of conductors 213
 List of contents xiii

9.10 Voltage drop 213

9.10.1 General and origin of the supply 213
9.10.2 Private LV supply 214
9.10.3 Large installations 214
9.11 Electrical connections 215
9.11.1 Accessibility of connections 215
9.11.2 Enclosures for connections 215
9.12 Selection and erection to minimize the spread of fire 216
9.12.1 Precautions within a fire-segregated compartment 216
9.12.2 Sealing of wiring system penetrations 216
9.13 Proximity to other services 216
9.13.1 Proximity to electrical services 216
9.13.2 Lightning protection 218
9.13.3 Fire alarms and emergency lighting 218
9.13.4 Proximity of communications cables 218
9.13.5 Proximity to non-electrical services 219

10 Protection, isolation, switching and control 221

10.1 Introduction 221
10.1.1 Scope 221
10.1.2 Common requirements 221
10.1.3 Conditional rating of switchgear and controlgear
assemblies 222
10.2 Devices for fault protection by automatic disconnection of
supply 223
10.2.1 Overcurrent devices 223
10.2.2 Residual current devices 223
10.2.3 RCD discrimination 225
10.2.4 RCDs in TN systems 226
10.2.5 RCDs in TT systems 227
10.3 Devices for protection against overcurrent 228
10.3.1 Semi-enclosed fuses 228
10.4 Devices for protection against undervoltage 229
10.5 Coordination of protective devices 229
10.5.1 Overcurrent devices 229
10.5.2 Fuse-to-fuse discrimination 229
10.5.3 Circuit-breaker to circuit-breaker discrimination 232
10.5.4 Fuse to circuit-breaker discrimination 234
10.5.5 Selection of device for protection against overload 235
10.6 Isolation and switching 235
10.6.1 Definitions 235
10.6.2 Isolation 236
10.6.3 Switching PEN and neutral conductors 240
10.6.4 Provision for disconnecting the neutral 243
10.6.5 Devices for isolation 246
xiv Commentary on IEE Wiring Regulations

10.7 Switching-off for mechanical maintenance 247

10.7.1 General 247
10.7.2 Devices for mechanical maintenance 247
10.8 Emergency switching 248
10.8.1 General 248
10.8.2 Safety of machinery BS EN 60204 248
10.8.3 Emergency switching off 249
10.8.4 Devices for emergency switching off 249
10.8.5 Devices for emergency switching 250
10.8.6 Push-buttons 251
10.9 Functional switching 252
10.10 Plugs and sockets 253

11 Earthing arrangements and protective conductors 255

11.1 Earthing arrangements 255
11.1.1 General 255
11.1.2 Earthing arrangements, TN systems 255
11.1.3 Earthing arrangements, TT systems 257
11.1.4 Earthing arrangements, protective neutral bonding
(PNB) 258
11.2 Earth electrodes 259
11.3 Earthing conductors 259
11.4 Protective conductors 259
11.4.1 Protective conductor cross-sectional area 260
11.4.2 Protective conductors of reduced cross-sectional
area 261
11.4.3 Protective conductors as the sheath or armour of a
cable 269
11.5 Sizing protective conductors 276
11.5.1 Earthing conductors 276
11.5.2 Main protective bonding conductors 277
11.5.3 PME main protective bonding conductors 277
11.5.4 Protective measures for PME supplies 280
11.6 Supplementary equipotential bonding 281
11.6.1 Sizing supplementary bonding conductors 281
11.6.2 Maximum length of supplementary bonding
conductors 282
11.7 Non-conducting service pipes 285
11.8 Earthing requirements for the installation of equipment having
high protective conductor currents 286
11.8.1 General 286
11.8.2 Equipment with protective conductor current exceeding
3.5 mA 286
11.8.3 Equipment with protective conductor current exceeding
10 mA 287
 List of contents xv

11.8.4 Circuits with protective conductor current exceeding

10 mA 288
11.8.5 Socket-outlet circuits 289

12 Generators and other equipment 291

12.1 Low voltage generating sets 291
12.1.1 General 291
12.1.2 Switched alternative supplies 291
12.1.3 Earthing general 292
12.1.4 Earth electrode 293
12.1.5 Low voltage three-phase mobile generators 15 kW and
above (clause 18.2.4 of BS 7430) 293
12.1.6 Portable and transportable low voltage single-phase
generators (clause 18.2.5) from 0.3 to 10 kVA 294
12.2 Small-scale embedded generators (SSEGs) 294
12.2.1 The law 294
12.2.2 Engineering Recommendation G83 (BS EN 50438) 295
12.2.3 Installation 295
12.2.4 Earthing 298
12.2.5 Labelling 298
12.2.6 Domestic combined heat and power (DCHP) 299
12.2.7 Solar photovoltaic (PV) power supply systems 300
12.3 Static inverters 300
12.3.1 Isolation 300
12.3.2 Harmonics 300
12.4 Rotating machines 301
12.5 Accessories 301
12.6 Water heaters and boilers 301
12.7 Autotransformers 302

13 Safety services 303

13.1 Scope 303
13.2 Classification 303
13.3 Battery life 304
13.4 Segregation of circuits 304
13.5 Wiring systems 305
13.6 Fire systems 305
14 Inspection and testing 309
14.1 Initial verification 309
14.1.1 General 309
14.1.2 Inspection 309
14.1.3 Testing 310
14.1.4 Protection by SELV, PELV or by electrical
separation 313
14.1.5 Polarity 314
xvi Commentary on IEE Wiring Regulations

14.1.6 Protection by automatic disconnection of supply 314

14.1.7 Earth fault loop impedance 314
14.1.8 Earth electrode resistance 322
14.1.9 RCD testing 323
14.1.10 Prospective fault current testing 324
14.1.11 Check of phase sequence 325
14.1.12 Functional testing 326
14.1.13 Verification of voltage drop 326
14.2 Periodic inspection and testing 326
14.2.1 The nature of inspection and testing 326
14.2.2 Frequency of inspection and testing 327
14.2.3 Installations under effective supervision 328
14.3 Certification and reporting 328
14.3.1 Electrical Installation Certificate 328
14.3.2 Periodic Inspection Report form 331

15 Special installations or locations 333

15.1 General 333
15.2 Locations containing a bath or shower 334
15.2.1 The particular risk 334
15.2.2 Key requirements 334
15.2.3 Discussion 336
15.3 Swimming pools and other basins 336
15.3.1 Key requirements for swimming pools and similar
basins 338
15.3.2 Discussion 338
15.4 Saunas 342
15.4.1 Key requirements 342
15.4.2 Discussion 342
15.5 Construction site installations 343
15.5.1 General 343
15.5.2 Key requirements 343
15.5.3 Notable changes 343
15.5.4 Discussion 344
15.6 Agricultural and horticultural premises 344
15.6.1 General 344
15.6.2 Key requirements 344
15.6.3 Discussion 345
15.7 Conducting locations with restricted movement 346
15.7.1 General 346
15.7.2 Key requirements 347
15.7.3 Discussion 347
15.8 Caravan/camping parks 347
15.8.1 General 347
15.8.2 Key requirements 347
15.8.3 Discussion 348
 List of contents xvii

15.9 Marinas 348

15.9.1 The particular hazards 348
15.9.2 Key requirements 349
15.9.3 Discussion 350
15.10 Exhibitions, shows and stands 353
15.10.1 Introduction 353
15.10.2 Particular risks 354
15.10.3 Key requirements 354
15.11 Other Section 7s 355
15.11.1 Solar photovoltaic (PV) power supply systems 355
15.11.2 Mobile or transportable units 355
15.11.3 Structures and amusement devices at fairgrounds,
amusement parks and circuses 355
15.11.4 Floor and ceiling heating systems 356

16 Current-carrying capacity and voltage drop for cables and

cords 357
16.1 Ambient conditions 357
16.1.1 BS 7769 Electric cables, calculation of current
ratings 359
16.2 Air ambient temperature rating factors Ca 360
16.2.1 Cables in air 360
16.2.2 Cables in the ground 362
16.3 Rating factors for grouping Cg 363
16.4 Overload protection 363
16.4.1 Rating factor for protective device Ccf 363
16.4.2 Installation condition rating factor Cci 364
16.5 Determination of the size of cable 366
16.5.1 Application of rating factors with overcurrent device
providing protection against overload and fault
currents 366
16.5.2 Application of rating factors where overload protection
is not required 367
16.5.3 Groups of cables 367
16.6 Tables of voltage drop 370
16.6.1 Correction for operating temperature 370
16.6.2 Correction for load power factor 373
16.6.3 Correction for temperature and load power
factor 374
16.7 Cables in closed trenches clipped to walls 374
16.8 Unarmoured cables in ducts 374

17 Harmonics 375
17.1 Introduction 375
17.2 Cable ratings 376
xviii Commentary on IEE Wiring Regulations

17.3 Voltage drop 378

17.3.1 For cable sizes larger than 16 mm2 378
17.3.2 For cable sizes 16 mm2 and smaller 379
17.3.3 Example with cable size over 16 mm2 379
17.4 Overcurrent protection 379

18 Calculations 381
18.1 Introduction 381
18.2 Calculation of tabulated current-carrying capability It 381
18.3 Fault current calculations 383
18.4 Motor circuits 388
18.5 Final circuits 391
18.5.1 Electricity supplies 391
18.5.2 Fault rating of switchgear 391
18.5.3 Selection of overcurrent device and cables 392
18.5.4 Voltage drop 392
18.5.5 Shock protection 393
18.5.6 RCDs and short circuit protection 395
18.6 Appendix 15 408
18.6.1 Ring final circuits 408
18.6.2 Spur lengths from rings 408
18.6.3 Accessibility of junction boxes 408
18.6.4 Radial final circuits 409

Appendix A: The first century of the Wiring Regulations 411

A.1 Introduction 411
A.2 The need for rules 411
A.3 Insurance company rules 413
A.4 The first IEE rules 414
A.5 Acceptance of the IEE rules 416
A.6 Development of the IEE rules 418
A.7 Have the rules succeeded? 419
A.8 Acknowledgements 420
A.9 References 420

Appendix B: The first IEE rules and regulations 421

Appendix C: Tables 425
Appendix D: Maximum demand and diversity 443
Bibliography 447
Resources 453
Regulation index 455
Subject index 461