The first electrical installation regulations were published in the UK in 1882, and since then have continuously evolved as electrical systems have expanded and developed, with updates regularly issued to ensure they reflect the technology and safety standards applicable. Today there are electrical regulations to cover households in domestic homes, but also people and organisations with different responsibilities, such as landlords, employers, local authorities and building owners.
In all cases the regulations cover electrical installations in both new and existing properties, and are not guidelines but are mandatory requirements which are legally enforceable. Electrical regulations in place today are designed to cover all types and all voltages of equipment, from high voltage generation and transmission to low voltage distribution. This includes industrial equipment, DC systems and small, fixed or portable equipment. It is also important to note that once installations have been made, there is a requirement to frequently test and inspect the wiring and connections in order to maintain the high standards of the initial installation.
There are three main electrical regulations in place in the UK today:
- 2005 Part P of Building Regulations
These regulations cover electrical installations in domestic homes, which must be designed and installed to protect people from fire and electric shocks. The regulations apply to the main buildings as well as garden and outbuilding installations.
- Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
When the Health & Safety At Work Regulations 1974 were issued, they became the staple legal framework for safety in the workplace and placed a legal duty on the employer to provide a safe working environment, which is still in place today. The 1989 electrical regulations followed on from that to place a specific duty on employers and the self-employed to ensure all aspects of electrical systems are safe and pose no risk to workers or the public. There needs to be regular testing and inspection to ensure installations are still in good working order, these tests include installations from the mains power supply to the smallest electrical item and apparatus. It is essential that contractors carrying out this work are trained and experienced and the organisation must keep documentation of installations and maintenance checks.
These are the national standards in the UK for the safety of electrical installations, and are detailed guidelines which must be followed for installing and modifying electrical systems. The regulations are updated regularly and are currently on the 18th edition. The regulations cover circuit design and protection, installations and how to provide proper earthing and bonding. Compliance with the regulations is a legal requirement and is used to pass inspections to ensure the long term safety of building occupants. Therefore contractors must ensure they are up-to-date with the knowledge and requirements of the latest version.
The importance of complying with electrical regulations
Non-compliance with the applicable regulations can have serious consequences, such as fines and imprisonment, plus there are commercial considerations such as a loss of power and the downtime of machinery and equipment. Commercial buildings may even fail to open and trade if they don’t pass initial electrical safety inspections. But of course the primary concern is that electrical installations which don’t comply with these regulations can cause electrical shocks and fatal injuries and increase the risk of fire. Therefore employers face fines and imprisonment, while landlords can face insurance claims and claims for civil damage. Building owners also face public liability claims. So the various regulations are in place to ensure the safety and wellbeing of property users, but also legally protect those with responsibility for different buildings.
Electrical testing equipment used for regulatory compliance
At Test Instrument Solutions we supply a wide variety of testing equipment to help contractors comply with the various safety regulations through initial installation and commissioning and ongoing testing and inspection. These include multi-function testers, voltage testers and PAT Testers, so check out our range and order online with us today.
Please note that this section is for information purposes only. Anyone using equipment referred to in this section must be suitably qualified and/or experienced within the respective field. If in doubt before use, please consult a qualified electrician or engineer & thoroughly read all instruction booklets.