oh hello i didn't see you there welcome to regulation corner please take a seat get
comfortable maybe even pour yourself a drink now as we approach the arbitrarily chosen and
completely random moment in the earth passage around the sun that some western cultures have
determined marks the end of another year it's customary to look back with a mixture of rye
cynicism and wistful remembrance when reviewing events from the previous 365 rotations of the
planet however rather than looking at the past either in vain self-congratulation or nostalgic
regret it's time to look to the future with a sense of purpose and determination with
that in mind i've been mulling over an event that's sure to bring out the true characters
in the electricians of the land namely the issuing of amendment 2 of the 18th edition of bs7671 who
knows what controversy's challenges and dare i say opportunities a weight between its distinctively
coloured book boards lurking like hidden shoals under the ocean waves ready to wreck the unwary
or save the shrewd i'd like to share one such possibility from the draft for public consultation
with you if i may it's regulation 542.1.2.202 and it's one that if it is indeed included is sure to
spark debate both reasonable and irrational it reads as follows for new premises constructed
upon foundations each building in which there is an installation using the protective measure
of automatic disconnection of supply shall be provided with one of the following a concrete
embedded foundation earth electrode in accordance with annex a542 or a soil embedded ring earth
electrode in accordance with annex a542 or an equivalent earth electrode such as that afforded
by metalwork of a steel framed building embedded in concrete foundations in contact with soil
a value of resistance to earth not exceeding 20 ohms shall be provided by the earth electrode
or collectively where the electrodes of two or more buildings are connected together
the earth electrode shall be connected to the main earthing terminal of the installation
by a main protective bonding conductor of that installation for the purpose of this requirement
for an installation in a multiple premises building the protective conductor of the
service line or distribution circuit supplying that installation shall be deemed to be the
main protective bonding conductor in dwellings for outbuildings such as detached carriages and sheds
an earth electrode in accordance with one two or three need not be provided controversial material
some will say it's a necessary requirement with the rise of the prosumer and the ongoing
electrification of services some will claim it's a cynical attempt to move responsibility for the
safety of an overloaded and creaking electrical network to the shoulders of electricians still
others will point to conspiracies regarding manufacturers trying to increase their revenue
well we say whatever the looming amendment brings let's support one another through the
changes where efix will certainly be doing our part to help out our fellow electricians will you
here i go again looking too deeply into the mundane and reading meaning into situations
that are as natural predictable and irresistible as the passage of the earth around the sun
i won't keep you any longer thanks for stopping by and the next time you're passing
drop in say hello you know there's always a place for you here a regulation corner good night
you