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Proposal for Amendment to BS 7671 Regulation 134.1.1

Sergio Fernandez

Regulation to be Amended

134.1.1 (Good workmanship and manufacturer's instructions)
Proposed New Wording

    Good workmanship by one or more skilled or instructed persons and proper materials shall be used in the erection of the electrical installation. The installation of electrical equipment shall take account of relevant manufacturers' instructions as long as they are no less safe than the intent of BS 7671.


Statement of Problem/Reason for Change

    Ambiguity of "Take Account of": The current wording is often interpreted as an absolute requirement to follow Manufacturer’s Instructions (MI), even when those instructions are generic, poorly translated, or based on non-UK earthing arrangements (e.g., ignoring PME risks).

    Safety Hierarchy: Currently, installers face a conflict when an MI contradicts a fundamental safety principle of BS 7671. This proposed wording clarifies that BS 7671 remains the primary safety framework for UK installations.

    Accountability of the Skilled Person: It empowers the "Skilled Person" to exercise professional judgment. If an MI suggests a method that provides a lower level of safety (e.g., regarding RCD selection or earthing), the installer is explicitly authorized to prioritize the higher standard.

Supporting Examples for the "Safety Case"

    EVSE Installations: Where MIs might suggest a lack of RCD protection that contradicts Section 722.

    Terminations: Where MIs for domestic accessories may not account for the thermal effects of high-load continuous use (e.g., EV or Heat Pump circuits).

    Foreign Equipment: Industrial machinery with MIs written for IT or TT systems being installed on a UK TN-C-S system.

As always please be polite and respectful in this purely academic debate.





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  • Sergio Fernandez said:
      Ambiguity of "Take Account of": The current wording is often interpreted as an absolute requirement to follow Manufacturer’s Instructions (MI), even when those instructions are generic, poorly translated, or based on non-UK earthing arrangements

    The wording was changed previously, (possibilty Amd. 2 of the 17th?), to the line 'take account of' whereas before it was something like 'follow MI'.

    This was a good thing, as I , amongst others pointed out the ridiculous requirements by some appliance Makers, some I remember were these - item MUST be fitted by an NICEIC Electrician. Item must be protected by a 16 amp fuse. Must be wired according to BS7671 15th edition ( in the early 2000's!). The list goes on.

    Manufacturers instructions can be very vague, and inappropriate, as they are not experts in electrical installations in the multiple Countries they supply, so there can be some rather stupid requirements, such as the ones above. Add in the language barrier for imported goods with translated manuals, and it is soon clear that Manufacturers Instructions should be referred to, but not necessarily complied with if they are clearly daft.

    See the other thread about RCD selection. Many Manufacturers do not have a clue about what they should be recommending to be fitted to their equipment, so following the MI can lead to a worse outcome than actually following BS7671.

  • in reply to alanblaby

    Thus the wording I am suggesting.

    The installation of electrical equipment shall take account of relevant manufacturers' instructions as long as they are no less safe than the intent of BS 7671

  • in reply to Sergio Fernandez
    Sergio Fernandez said:
    no less safe than the intent of BS 7671

    As above, this particular terminology would likely not be suitable

Reply Children
  • in reply to gkenyon

    How about ?

    as long as they are no less safe than the current version of BS 7671

  • in reply to Sergio Fernandez

    No, thank you.

    As far as possible, the installer should comply with BS 7671. If the instructions appear to be less safe than BS 7671, that does not mean that BS 7671 may be disregarded. However, having taken account of the instructions, the electrician should use his or her judgement as to how far the instructions should be followed.

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