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What would a clean-sheet set of wiring regulations look like today?

EIreland

The wiring regulations and associated legislation (on sockets etc) have developed in stages over the last hundred or so years.

As a result, the way they have developed is a product of the technological development over that time and of choices that were potentially made decades ago in very different environments.

When BS1363 socket or ring mains were developed, I doubt the people about them were considering a world with inexpensive multi-poles RCBOs, 8000 series Al alloys or the electronics of today.

So, if you could start from scratch with a new wiring regulations system to best achieve affordable, effective and safe electrical systems for installation in domestic or light commercial environments, how do you think it would differ from the status quo?

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  • In no particular order..
    Assuming all countries got the same reset at the same time, an internationally agreed standard for plugs and sockets indoors and outdoors for a start then we could ditch the plug and socket regs. 
    Probably higher voltages than 230, as nowadays really good insulation  (by the standards of the old sweats) is cheaper than copper and energy losses are a bigger consideration, so fewer wider spaced transformers would be good. 
    Probably not bother with the bayonet lamp holder.
    Compulsory all-pole Isolation immediately after metering points.
    Double pole breakers.
    Standardised Din rail terminal positions and breaker profiles.
    No PME
    Training on how to do decent diagrams
    Insulation on the (full size?) earth cores of cables.

    M.

  • in reply to mapj1
    mapj1 said:
    No PME

    I've never really understood what the alternatives are and how they are 'better', given that 'Earth' is everywhere, and phenomenally good by the cubic mile.

    It feels as if the different factions make different assumptions about the natural spacings between electrical equipments, and the ease (lack of) 'earth' connections (and what they are trying to do/not-do with said connections).

    It's all as \clear\ conductive as mud.

    Three phase doesn't help Grin.

  • in reply to Philip Oakley
    Philip Oakley said:
    I've never really understood what the alternatives are and how they are 'better', given that 'Earth' is everywhere, and phenomenally good by the cubic mile.

    Agreed ... potentially with the consideration of 'assume TT but connect TN-S' might actually achieve better safety, but possibly with the downside of lack of selectivity pas a certain point in the distribution?

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  • in reply to Philip Oakley
    Philip Oakley said:
    I've never really understood what the alternatives are and how they are 'better', given that 'Earth' is everywhere, and phenomenally good by the cubic mile.

    Agreed ... potentially with the consideration of 'assume TT but connect TN-S' might actually achieve better safety, but possibly with the downside of lack of selectivity pas a certain point in the distribution?

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