Scope of the BS7671:2008

Part 1, Chapter 11

The standard applies to the design, erection and verification of electrical installations for most premises, some are excluded* but all as a minimum must meet these requirements.

Residential Requirements

Example
Requirements start from the input to the consumer unit.

What it means
Consumer unit design needs to incorporate changes in the standard for increased safety in the installation.

Solution
Various designs need to be made available dependant on the size, type and installation methods employed from:

• Standard CU with RCBO’s for particular circuits.
• Split load CU with grouped circuits fed from one RCCB and RCBO’s on some circuits
• Double Split load CU with grouped circuits

Supporting Products
Consumer Units

Commercial Requirements

Example
Requirements start from the origin of the supply from the Low voltage side of a private transformer.

What it means
All circuits up to and including 1000Vac and 1500Vdc are covered for the fixed wiring of the installation including bus-bar trunking and power-track systems.

Solution
Many Ready to Install products are now available which limit the requirement for purpose designed units including Panelboards up to 2000 amp and off the shelf split metered distribution boards.

* Those excluded include aspects of mines and quarries specifically covered by Statutory regulations and distribution of electricity to the public.

Supporting Products
Low Voltage Equipment