The public consultation period is a three-month window in which the Electrotechnical Industry has the opportunity to provide feedback on the draft Standard which will replace the existing National Wiring Rules1 in 2019.This article aims to highlight some of the key proposed changes in the new standard and describe how you can get involved in the public consultation phase.
Under the Electricity Regulation Act (1999), the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) now regulate the safety of electrical installations in the country and Safe Electric are the Safety Supervisory body tasked with inspection and monitoring of the certification process. In terms of standards development, NSAI are now responsible for providing a comprehensive set of standards for the electrical industry. In respect of the new National Rules for Electrical Installations, NSAI ETC Technical Committee (TC) 2 is specifically Irelands national mirror committee responsible for maintenance and development of these rules. Etci National Rules For Electrical Ations Series Of HarmonisationIt is important also to highlight that the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardisation (CENELEC) have continued to revise the 60364 series of Harmonisation Documents for which there is ongoing adoption by European member states. These documents form the basis for the development of national wiring rules, and Ireland, through the national mirror committee (i.e. ETC TC2) has had a vote and a say in developing these documents. A summary of the proposed key changes in I.S. I.S.10101 General What were known as Parts (i.e. Parts 1-7) in ET101:2008 are being relabelled as Chapters in I.S.10101:20xx. This change will serve to enhance readability of the document into the future. I.S.10101 Chapter 1: Scope Chapter 1 has not changed, and the scope still refers to the fixed wiring installation right up to the plug or isolator. Equipment plugged into or wired into the isolator is handled under other standards, but not by the National Rules for Electrical Installations. I.S.10101 Chapter 2: Definitions Definitions are now all contained in Chapter 2 to enhance readability. The definitions list has been expanded and certain definitions have been modified to align with the definitions provided in the International Electrotechnical Vocabulary. I.S.10101 Chapter 4 Protection for Safety Clause 411.3.4 Residual Current Devices (RCDs) will now be required to be installed on lighting circuits in domestic premises. Clause 421.7 Arc Fault Detection Devices (AFDDs) will now be recommended for circuits installed in locations with particular risk, such as. The installation will of course apply only to the fixed wiring and switchgear, and not to any appliance connected after the isolator of socket. This requirement builds on the safety criteria specified by ET101:2008 which required distribution boards installed in escape routes to behave like a fire proof enclosure, with the exception that the said clause did not apply to domestic premises. RCD technology has improved greatly, and alternative devices now provide better protection. As previously mentioned, CRU now oversee the inspection and verification process, and certificates are issued by Safe Electric. ![]() Post publication, there will be a six-month transition period before the new requirements come into effect. However, installations may be designed in accordance with the new version before that date.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
December 2020
Categories |