That Andy, is a definition of the problem. Because there are so many standards, all of which overlap in many ways, it is impossible to define the scope of any particular one, because another one may jump in at any time and "grab" a "competence", using EU talk. This means that an EICR for example is generally impossible. Either you do the inspection to BS7671 alone, (and finding the edges of even that is difficult) which is what BS7671 says, or most people cannot do the job. To do this means that a connected inverter must be considered "out of scope" as must a complex machine, a storage heater, cooker etc. BS7671 has attempted to "grab" all wiring, even network and communications cables for example, or ELV DC wiring, and has found that this doesn't work. I will mention that RCDs were at one point thought necessary for communication cables. We have questions here on the inside of control panels because the exact scope is not clear to Electricians (actually, or very few others). If you read 110.1.1 you will not see the edges at all, BS7671 apparently covers everything electrical in all those locations, if it is "an installation". The definition of "Electrical Installation" is equally vague "An assembly of associated (What does that mean, very vague) having co-ordinated characteristics to fulfil specific purposes". I suggest that this includes the internals of every piece of electronics in the country. I do understand that we normally have a definition of the limits of this which I loosely defined as "fixed wiring" above, but this is completely inadequate when BS7671 does not understand the limits itself unless it is in the list 110.2. BS7671 then makes requirements on inverters (the OP) but has no idea how to achieve what it says. What about cookers? They fall foul of 131.1, in that they have hot parts which could cause burns. I am expecting a new section on optical communication cables soon, as some of them could present danger when high power lasers are in use. There is NO advice in BS7671 on inspection limits or scope to help! It just gives simple tests on normal fixed wiring, which is fine. Does it mean ignore anything else, or is a massive section missing? Even the "Scope" is completely inconsistent, so much for "Standard". Before anyone thinks I am just whinging, I am not. I want to get this fixed, and am willing to put considerable effort into doing so. It will help everyone considerably.
That Andy, is a definition of the problem. Because there are so many standards, all of which overlap in many ways, it is impossible to define the scope of any particular one, because another one may jump in at any time and "grab" a "competence", using EU talk. This means that an EICR for example is generally impossible. Either you do the inspection to BS7671 alone, (and finding the edges of even that is difficult) which is what BS7671 says, or most people cannot do the job. To do this means that a connected inverter must be considered "out of scope" as must a complex machine, a storage heater, cooker etc. BS7671 has attempted to "grab" all wiring, even network and communications cables for example, or ELV DC wiring, and has found that this doesn't work. I will mention that RCDs were at one point thought necessary for communication cables. We have questions here on the inside of control panels because the exact scope is not clear to Electricians (actually, or very few others). If you read 110.1.1 you will not see the edges at all, BS7671 apparently covers everything electrical in all those locations, if it is "an installation". The definition of "Electrical Installation" is equally vague "An assembly of associated (What does that mean, very vague) having co-ordinated characteristics to fulfil specific purposes". I suggest that this includes the internals of every piece of electronics in the country. I do understand that we normally have a definition of the limits of this which I loosely defined as "fixed wiring" above, but this is completely inadequate when BS7671 does not understand the limits itself unless it is in the list 110.2. BS7671 then makes requirements on inverters (the OP) but has no idea how to achieve what it says. What about cookers? They fall foul of 131.1, in that they have hot parts which could cause burns. I am expecting a new section on optical communication cables soon, as some of them could present danger when high power lasers are in use. There is NO advice in BS7671 on inspection limits or scope to help! It just gives simple tests on normal fixed wiring, which is fine. Does it mean ignore anything else, or is a massive section missing? Even the "Scope" is completely inconsistent, so much for "Standard". Before anyone thinks I am just whinging, I am not. I want to get this fixed, and am willing to put considerable effort into doing so. It will help everyone considerably.
