BS 7671 Compliance Guide | 18th Edition Wiring Regulations

BS 7671 (formally titled "Requirements for Electrical Installations - IET Wiring Regulations") is the UK national standard for electrical installation safety, currently in its 18th Edition. Published by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and adopted as a British Standard by BSI, BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 (18th Edition with Amendment 2, issued 2022) sets the requirements for designing, installing, inspecting, and testing electrical installations in the UK. While not statutory law itself, BS 7671 is recognized as demonstrating compliance with the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, Part P of the Building Regulations, and the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016.

The 18th Edition introduces significant safety requirements including mandatory AFDDs (Arc Fault Detection Devices) on socket-outlet circuits ≤32A to prevent electrical fires caused by arc faults, enhanced RCD (Residual Current Device) protection on all AC final circuits for shock protection, and SPDs (Surge Protection Devices) at consumer units where transient overvoltage could cause injury or service disruption. Amendment 2 (2022) introduced requirements for prosumer electrical installations (Chapter 82) covering solar PV, battery storage, and EV charging, updated guidance on electric vehicle charging installations, expanded AFDD requirements, and clarified requirements for smart homes and building automation systems.

Compliance with BS 7671 requires using approved electrical products meeting relevant British and European standards (BS/EN), proper circuit protection and earthing arrangements, adequate cable sizing considering current carrying capacity and voltage drop, appropriate IP ratings for environmental protection, correct installation methods following manufacturer instructions, thorough testing and inspection with completion certificates, and maintaining proper installation documentation. London electrical distributors stock comprehensive ranges of BS 7671 compliant products including consumer units with AFDD/RCD protection, MCBs and RCBOs meeting BS EN 61009, cables and containment systems with appropriate fire ratings, testing equipment for inspection and testing to BS 7671, emergency lighting meeting BS 5266, and fire alarm equipment compliant with BS 5839. All distributors can provide manufacturer compliance certificates and technical data sheets supporting certification.