Classification of external influences (informative). Classification codes and guidance for environmental conditions that affect electrical installations. Developing new, and amending existing regulations ahead of the next edition of the Wiring Regulations is a rigorous process. It not only involves standardisation with CENELEC and IEC regulations, but there is also a public consultation period or draft for public consideration (DPC). The DPC period is three months long, and means members of the UK public can offer comments for consideration ahead of a final draft and publication. Allocate an appropriate length of time dependent on each section’s volume of questions. This approach should be deployed for both revision and in the exam itself. Candidates must be aware that ‘Initial Verification’ is only practicable in the first instance of electrical installation. Any future testing of this circuit should be referred to under the periodic inspection banner. Initial Verification Chapter 35: Safety services. What safety services ‘fire alarm, emergency lighting etc’ are going to be within the installation and how are they going to be supplied.

The next four parts are the practical application of those in-scope principles and topics, including important safety requirements with a predominant focus on reducing the risk of injury and damage. The concept is simple; when starting a new installation, you should consult the Regs and ensure you’ve considered all aspects that might impact your specific scenario. It should then be used as a reference on equipment and environment, and also as an assurance guide, either once you’ve completed the installation or on review of an existing installation. After the two-hour examination, your results will be visible on the City & Guilds portal. Our team will discuss the breakdown with you, providing you with a pass or fail outcome, along with an overall percentage. Determine which ‘part’, sub-section and regulations within the 18th edition book the question alludes to. This is extremely important! Chapter 44: Protection against voltage disturbances and electromagnetic disturbances covers the safety of installations from voltage and electro-magnetic disturbances which includes voltage surges due to, earth faults, atmospheric origin, switching and electromagnetic disturbances and undervoltage or loss of voltage.

You can buy Requirements for Electrical Installations, IET Wiring Regulations, Eighteenth Edition, BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 (Electrical Regulations) here and you can buy Requirements for Electrical Installations, IET Wiring Regulations, Eighteenth Edition, BS 7671:2018 (Electrical Regulations) here

Candidates must attain at least a 60% score to successfully pass the exam. Results are graded as a straight-forward pass or fail. Although it’s a difficult concept to master, students should not become overly concerned with their final result during revision periods. If you’re confident that you’ve gained a good understanding of the principles and practicalities of the book, your score will look after itself. Examination structure & content Appendices: These contain additional, useful, and relevant information relating to the rules and regulations within Parts 1 to 8. There are 17 appendices listed, but with appendix 7 deleted and appendix 12 not used, there are currently only 15 appendices in this latest version of BS7671. Energy efficiency (informative). Additional recommendations for the design and installation of electrical installations regarding the efficient use of electricity. This appendix will probably be moved to Part 8 within future addition of BS7671. Understand the requirements for selection and erection of equipment for electrical installations (14 questions, 23%) Model forms for certification and reporting (informative). Contains model certificates and schedules for initial verification of electrical installation ‘EIC and Minor Works’. Plus model condition report and schedules for existing electrical installations ‘EICR’.

Escape routes and fire protection (informative). Cables in protected escape routes and fire sealing of cable penetrations within buildings. The first two parts are your guide to the book. They provide you with the ‘scope’ of the Regs, explaining what’s included, what the basic principles of electrical installations are, and providing you with definitions of the most commonly used terms within the book. Then, when you are designing and installing an electrical installation you’ll need to follow the rest of the book… (applying the fundamental principles of Chapter 13)

The first step to answering a real life problem or any exam question for that matter is to ask yourself. ‘What part of the book does this relate to?’ BS 7671 is the national standard to which all electrical installations should conform. The 18th Edition IET Wiring Regulations contains important new information for all electrical installers and engineers.

Remember the key facts attributed to each ‘part’ of the book. Think about the essential pieces of information you would need when physically undertaking an installation task. Understanding how to use the Wiring Regulations is recognised across the industry as an increasingly important skill. For that reason, there is a recognised qualification that tests your ability to use the 18th Edition book. Has much changed since the 17th Edition? This section outlines how to meet requirements when selecting and using equipment, cables, and other accessories at work. The information covered here will be covered by 23% of the exam’s questions. Time/current characteristic of overcurrent protective devices (informative). Maximum loop impedance Zs calculation and maximum measured loop impedance calculation ‘80% rule’. Time/current characteristics graphs for overcurrent protective devices.