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Which bits of domestic wiring does BS 7671 cover?

AJJewsbury
As BS 7671 has been gradually extending its scope over the years, so we're now just about at the point that it covers any electrical installation that isn't specifically covered by another (BS?) standard (to paraphrase section 110) - and specifically mentions communication, signalling and control fixed wiring. So I'm trying to figure out what standards apply to what:


A few examples:
  • Power and lighting - yes, I'm happy that's just BS 7671.

  • Phone cabling - comes under BS 6701 that seems clear enough (maybe in addition to BS 7671, but there's room for deviation from BS 7671 demands all the same)

  • ELV intruder alarm wiring - I've come across BS EN 50131 series but can't tell (without paying a fortune) whether that covers just individual components or also acts as an installation standard - anyone know?

  • Fixed speaker wiring (say from a wall or ceiling speaker to 4mm sockets/binding posts on the wall behind the hifi)

  • UHF co-ax (i.e. TV aerial/satellite)

  • LV control wiring for CH systems (I'm guessing this is BS 7671 although every EICR I see seems to suggest otherwise)

  • Likewise similar wiring - e.g. pump/valves for solar thermal systems, air-con or heatpumps.

  • ELV heating control wiring (e.g. from 12V 'network' type room 'stats to underfloor heating manifold controllers)

  • Structured cabling (CAT 5 kind of thing) - usually done to TIA/EIA-568 - am I right in thinking that BS EN 50173 is equivalent?


Anyone know of some standards that would apply to these instead of (or in addition to) BS 7671? Or on paper at least, should I be looking to find sheathed speaker cables, IP2X binding posts and a suitable 30mA RCD for when they're concealed in the wall (as far as I can tell the amplifier isn't a SELV source), intruder alarm contacts that don't rely on the timber door frame to complete the enclosure, or co-ax that complies with BS 5467, 6724, 7846, 8436 or 60702-1? ?


   - Andy.
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  • 0

    Zoomup:

    It is all just too complicated and will deter future electricians from becoming interested in the industry. All these B.S. numbers and references and clauses are worse than the law. Wiring regulations should be simplified not made ever more convoluted and difficult to understand and apply. B.S. 7671 is like reading a blinkin difficult physics book these days. It has lost the plot, as has the I.E.T., BIG TIME.


    Z.




    Well, perhaps you have a point here.


    Even for domestic installations, the modern electrician may need to know about:

     - AV and entertainment systems, including various broadcast reception systems

     - Data and communications systems

     - HBES/BACS and other control and automation systems

     - Fire detection and alarm systems

     - Security detection/alarm, CCTV, access control systems

     - Power control and energy saving (we've been doing this through PIRs for a number of years)


    ... and this doesn't account for the "special locations" sections of BS 7671, along with the complexities of "prosumer's electrical installations".


    It's right to ask these questions, but blaming BS 7671 won't change the day job.

Reply
  • 0

    Zoomup:

    It is all just too complicated and will deter future electricians from becoming interested in the industry. All these B.S. numbers and references and clauses are worse than the law. Wiring regulations should be simplified not made ever more convoluted and difficult to understand and apply. B.S. 7671 is like reading a blinkin difficult physics book these days. It has lost the plot, as has the I.E.T., BIG TIME.


    Z.




    Well, perhaps you have a point here.


    Even for domestic installations, the modern electrician may need to know about:

     - AV and entertainment systems, including various broadcast reception systems

     - Data and communications systems

     - HBES/BACS and other control and automation systems

     - Fire detection and alarm systems

     - Security detection/alarm, CCTV, access control systems

     - Power control and energy saving (we've been doing this through PIRs for a number of years)


    ... and this doesn't account for the "special locations" sections of BS 7671, along with the complexities of "prosumer's electrical installations".


    It's right to ask these questions, but blaming BS 7671 won't change the day job.

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