The 17th Edition of the Wiring Regulations is due to be published on 1st January 2008 and expected to come into effect after a six month transition period. In this section we examine the potential changes.

Some electrical contractors may ask why we need another Edition of the Wiring Regulations. This is a fair question, considering the amount of reprints and amendments over the years. You might think that, to date, there have only been three editions of the Wiring Regulations since the 14th Edition was published in 1966.

However, consider this: Although the 14th Edition was issued in 1966, it was reprinted in 1968, 1969, 1970, 1972, 1973, 1974 and 1976. The 15th Edition was issued in 1981 but reprinted in 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987 and 1988. Finally, the 16th Edition was issued in 1991, but reprinted in 1992, 1994, 1997 and 2004 too!

A combination of new technologies, products and continuing harmonization mean that the Wiring Regulations have to incorporate changes such as these; and we can expect no let up in this progress as time goes by.

The following information outlines some of the more significant changes expected, based on the draft issued for public comment. It may be worth having a copy of the 16th Edition handy when reading this, so you can see clearly aspects of the proposed changes.

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