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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.
  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member
    My understanding is that it is a fairly recent (20 years?) policy of BS that each BS stands alone.


    By that, I give BS 5266 as an example where the signage "wording" was included even though it had its own BS. However, this meant that when the BS for signs (and any other BS) changed, as it was detailed in BS 5266, that too had to be changed. So it became policy to refer to the BS signage number in BS 5266 without repeating content so any updates to BS signage didn't entail any changes to BS 5266.


    I kept the BS for signage and the Part of BS 5266 out of the above to try and make it easier to read! It was BS 5499 in the 1988 BS 5266 Part 1.


    Regards


    BOD
  • 0

    AJJewsbury:




    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 how much would it cost an electrician to acquire a copy of all of the relevant standards? (along with the continual updates). There was a time when it seemed that the wiring regs references to other standards was only of relevance for selecting items of equipment - i.e. just check that the manufacturer provided assurance that it complied - and the regs told you everything you needed to know in terms of wiring it up. Now it seems we need to read dozens of other standards before we really know what BS 7671 means.


       - Andy.

     




    Well, yes ... but if the contents of the standards were included in BS 7671, I would guess the cost of that standard would go up to compensate, and it would be even more enormous than it is now.

  • 0
    So, what is the solution to this perceived "mess"? As they say, there is a problem for every solution!


    We can continue to moan about it, but the body of knowledge required to effect the electrical and systems installation in a modern property is quite large. Some may find it easier than others to complete an acceptable installation; some may think they know what's needed (but in truth no-one knows, or has experience of, everything).


    How should the standards be structured?

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