As you would expect, electricians follow a set of instructions to ensure that all aspects of their installations and repairs are safe and easy to use. These instructions are enshrined in the IEE Wiring Regulations- often known and referred to as the ‘17th Edition’.

Understanding and interpreting these regulations is so important that all

electricians must have completed an update course by the end of 2010. Those of us registered with a nationally recognised Trade Body, such as the NICEIC, ELECSA, ECA or NAPIT will have to prove that we have complied at our annual assessment.

The 17th Edition Regulations came into effect on 1st July 2008, so there are still plenty of installations that do not fully comply. Often, system inadequacies will show up when you ask an electrician to carry out work for you or when the installation is undergoing its routine inspection.

As far as the client is concerned the biggest change in regulations concerns the use of the Residual Current Device (RCD) to protect every circuit and length of cable in the property. This is a significant change from the 16th Edition requirements, where only certain sockets needed such close protection.

The benefits? A much lower chance of electrocution and much better protection against electrical fires.

Protect against these fire hazards.