18th edition - any point?

[Percyprod]

With the 18th edition coming out, will this just mean more rules broken? Judging by the number of questions on this forum most electricians struggle with the 17th edition! I assume any installations wired under the 17th edition are now dangerous? Mmm better think about rewiring my stables. Only joking, you know me and the regs!

 

[Andy78]

Should be 'rather have gone to the dentist, not 'rather of gone'.

You can't underestimate the importance of doing things as they should be done according to accepted standards can you really ?

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

I am just waiting for new year and some poor old person to be told they need a full rewire due to not complying with 18th edition. Can see it now, i actually heard somebody(assumed to be an electrician) In toolstation recently telling somebody else at the counter that they don't want that rcd spur for the garage but should instead get a small consumer unit to comply with the 18th edition. The bloke even offered to come quote for the job! made me chuckle! I gave the counter staff a dirty look and he just grinned.
At a job today, customer pressured into having a rewire as all the lights are on one circuit and they only wanted 2 dimmers fitted which means a bit of chasing out for deeper Back boxes! the last 'electrician' kept finding fault to justify more expensive work.
As for

 

[Percyprod]

I would have said 'You can't underestimate the importance of doing things to the accepted standard, which is how they should be done'.

 

[Octopus]

I would have said 'You can't underestimate the importance of doing things to the accepted standard, which is how they should be done'.

You've changed your tune ...................

 

[Andy78]

I would have said 'You can't underestimate the importance of doing things to the accepted standard, which is how they should be done'.

Exactly

 

[Deleted member 26818]

I think ‘understate’ would be more appropriate.

 

[oracle]

I'd now be doing a life stretch for failure to apply a mixed colour label. The worst thing that could possibly happen is Bs7671 becoming statutory. There's not one spark on here that hasn't at some point left a job with a minor,not safety related departure from the regs due to a memory lapse. Be careful what you wish for.

How would you feel if they scrapped the Road traffic act because some drivers have a memory lapse?

Laws are for protecting us, you will always find criminal negligence. Other countries, first and third world, manage to legistrate their wiring regulations.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Problem with other countries legislating their wiring Regulations, is all the ones cited focus more on protecting the livelihood of electricians than on safety.

 

[Deleted member 9648]

How would you feel if they scrapped the Road traffic act because some drivers have a memory lapse?

Laws are for protecting us, you will always find criminal negligence. Other countries, first and third world, manage to legistrate their wiring regulations.

I'm not sure the analogy really applies, Bs7671 is so complex, how are you going to appropriate 'punishment' for departures....will the consequences of breaking the law by failure to apply a sticker carry the same penalty as failure to provide an adequate earthing system?
EICR's will be a legal minefield, I really believe those calling for 7671 to be law really haven't thought through the potential consequences.

 

[Andy78]

How about keeping it simple and expanding the scope of the EAWR to apply to anyone who picks up a screwdriver ?

 

[Deleted member 26818]

How about keeping it simple and expanding the scope of the EAWR to apply to anyone who picks up a screwdriver ?

I have to comply with EAWR if I assemble an Ikea book case?

 

[westward10]

I'm not sure the analogy really applies, Bs7671 is so complex, how are you going to appropriate 'punishment' for departures....will the consequences of breaking the law by failure to apply a sticker carry the same penalty as failure to provide an adequate earthing system?
EICR's will be a legal minefield, I really believe those calling for 7671 to be law really haven't thought through the potential consequences.

Unless measures are put in place providing an earthing system is a legal requirement under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989. Should you fail to do so and the worse happens you have no defence in a court of law as it is an Absolute Requirement.

 

[Deleted member 9648]

Unless measures are put in place providing an earthing system is a legal requirement under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989. Should you fail to do so and the worse happens you have no defence in a court of law as it is an Absolute Requirement.

As would be failure to provide a mixed colour label. If a DIYer was electrocuted trying to put up a new light on the partial rewire you recently completed no doubt his lawyer will be making the case that your failure to apply a sticker (as now required by law) was the reason he was killed.
Like I said, those calling for 7671 to be statutory need to really think it through

 

[Octopus]

As would be failure to provide a mixed colour label. If a DIYer was electrocuted trying to put up a new light on the partial rewire you recently completed no doubt his lawyer will be making the case that your failure to apply a sticker (as now required by law) was the reason he was killed.
Like I said, those calling for 7671 to be statutory need to really think it through

Utter rubbish ...............

 

[Deleted member 9648]

Utter rubbish ...............

I think you may have taken the statement as it is currently law, what I was in fact meaning is that if those who want 7671 to be statutory then it will be law. I can see that wasn't clear in my post. If 7671 in it's entirety does become law then the above scenario will be highly likely.