18th Edition Amendments and What They Mean for Electricians

At the end of July, the latest amendment to the 18th Edition wiring regulations was released with immediate effect. The previous amendment (2:2022) was introduced in July 2022, so two years on, what has changed and what does it mean for Electricians going forward?

What is the 18th Edition?

The BS 7671:2018 Requirements for Electrical Installations, more commonly called the 18th Edition, is essentially a rule book for Electricians in the UK to follow to ensure they are compliant with all current safety regulations and standards. It ensures that all work pertaining to designing, installing, and maintaining electrical systems is completed correctly and safely.

Wiring regs were first introduced back in the late 1800s as a way to counter concerns around electrical fires and other hazards. Since then, various official editions have been produced before the 18th Edition wiring regulations changes came into effect in 2018.

What are the latest amendments?

New Regulations

The updated 18th edition amendments include new regulations for flow of electricity including:

Bidirectional power flow: if there is potential for electricity to flow in different directions in a circuit a bidirectional protective device must be used.

Unidirectional power flow: unidirectional flow refers to electricity flowing in one direction, a unidirectional protective device must be used in this instance.

In both cases, devices should be marked to indicate the flow direction. If no marking is shown, it is to be assumed that the flow is bidirectional.

Terminology

The 18th edition changes include updated terms and wording so the amendment reflects this and has new definitions added. 

What Does This Mean for Electricians?

As an electrician, it is important to stay up to date to changes and amendments to regulations so you are always compliant and safe in the work you do.

Learn the Concepts and Terminology

Electricians should familiarise themselves with the new language being introduced and understand it. If you’ve not heard of bidirectional and unidirectional flow, you may want to learn more about them. Knowing the difference between the new terms introduced will help you in the long run.

Get Used to New Tools and Equipment

You may be required to use different tools and equipment than you’re used to for certain jobs. Make sure you know what the best practice is with these tools and get used to them if you’re not already.

By staying informed and adhering to these new regulations, electricians can continue to deliver safe and reliable electrical installations. Download a free copy of Amendment 3:2024 from the BSI or IET websites. 

If you want to brush up on your electrical skills and regulations, we offer a range of courses for experienced electricians. Click the link below to browse our electrician courses.

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