Amendment 2 to BS 7671:2018 (IET Wiring Regulations) Published

31 March 2022

BSI, in its role as the UK National Standards Body, has published Amendment 2 to BS 7671:2018 (18^th Edition of the IET Wiring Regulations). It introduces a new requirement for Arc Fault Detection Devices (AFDDs), updated requirements for the documentation of the fire safety design for buildings and a new chapter on Prosumer’s Low Voltage Electrical Installations.

Amendment 2 is effective immediately (as of 28 March 2022) and the previous version, BS 7671:2018+A1:2020, will be withdrawn six months later.

This essential update to the IET Wiring Regulations will form the national standard to which all new and amended electrical installations in the UK are to comply. Significant changes include:

A new requirement for Arc Fault Detection Devices (AFDDs) in AC final circuits for installations in higher risk buildings.
The requirement for the fire safety design of buildings to be documented where specific conditions of external influence exist, such as, protected escape routes and locations with risk of fire.
Protection against transient overvoltages where the consequence could result in serious injury, loss of human life, failure of device or significant financial or data loss.
Changes to identification, labels and notices, such as for consumer units, affecting how safety information is provided to the user of the electrical installation.
A new chapter on Prosumer’s Low Voltage Electrical Installations.

Further changes are included throughout all parts of BS 7671, including the incorporation of Amendment 1:2020 to BS 7671:2018 as part of the main document.

Post Brexit, this Amendment sees the further adoption of CENELEC Harmonized Documents as the UK continues the inclusion of standards for new and developing technologies.

Download the standard here.