PASS Ltd, the independent test equipment expert, is backing calls by the Electrical Contractors' Association for clarification on issues raised by the publication of the 17th Edition Wiring Regulations.

According to Giuliano Digilio, head of technical services at the ECA: “By far the biggest news for electrical contractors in 2014 will be the consultation on Amendment No. 3 of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) Wiring regulations BS7671.

“Through our representation on the committees and panels responsible for agreeing and developing the changes to the regulations, we have worked to ensure that the amendment clarifies many of the issues we have been dealing with since the publication of the 17th Edition,” he reveals.

“These are clarifications on the use of residual current devices (RCDs), some better definitions and revised inspection schedules. It also introduces welcome new regulations that address our concerns around safety issues such as electrical fires.”

The ECA will be summarising and analysing key changes and additions outlines in the Draft for Public Comment (DPC). It will consult with members between January and March to gather feedback so that it can put forward a consolidated submission to the IET on behalf of ECA members.

Contractors who are not ECA members can find the consultation document on the IET website. Following the consultation, the publications of the Amendment No. 3 is expected on the 1st January 2015.

Digilio continues: “We will continue our work at national and European levels influencing the standards and regulations which govern our sectors and provide information, guidance and fact sheets to our members.”

Barry Atkins, managing director of PASS adds: “In the countdown to January 2015, the race is now on for training providers to update their instruction material in order to be first out with updated training courses. PASS will eagerly engage in this challenge.

“The Amendment includes changes to the Periodic Inspection Report, which will be renamed to Condition Report. The four codes – 1 (requires urgent attention), 2 (requires improvement), 3 (requires further investigation) and 4 (does not comply with BS7671 – will be replaced by three codes – 1 (danger present), 2 (potentially dangerous) and 3 (improvement recommended).

“These changes will require both training for new electricians and retraining for experienced ones.”

For further information visit PASS Ltd’s specialist electrical training web page.