Electrical contractors from all over Scotland last week found out for the first time how the UK’s impending new wiring regulations are set to shape up at a special presentation staged as part of industry body SELECT’s annual general meeting in Midlothian.

SELECT has been thoroughly involved in the advisory process leading to what will become (British Standard) BS7671: 2008, whose full detail won’t be published until January next year.

The regulations cover everything from the colour coding of wiring to inspection regimes, and industry training courses naturally are moulded to the current version. Mr Millar’s seminar gave Scotland’s electrical professionals an early steer on the sort of changes they’ll have to make to their own working practices.

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In an overview of some of the likely changes to the present system SELECT’s head of technical services, David Millar, outlined some of the main elements of the new regime.

“These changes reflect the ongoing trend towards harmonisation of regulatory regimes across EU member states,” said Mr Millar.

Precise details of the new regime won’t be known until around autumn, and the regulations are currently still out to consultation, but contractors were able to get a broad impression of the changes which will affect potentially every area of their work.

Regulations for the industry first came into effect back in 1882, and have been regularly updated to answer progressive technical changes and the need for stringent safety and best practice.

This latest exercise will produce the 17th edition of the IEE wiring regulations. SELECT’s AGM took place in the Walled Garden at its headquarters at Bush Estate, Midlothian.

(CD)