Poll - Is BS7671 updated to frequently - you can vote

[Octopus]

Please keep this on track and comments sensible.

I think that the IET et al are really taking the pxss with all the updates of BS7671 - the BYB due out in January, has hardly got life threatening changes so why update it now.

So please place your vote....

 

[ImpededLoop]

I put every three years, technology is changing fast these days due to new electronic equipment and I believe BMS type systems will be implemented in new housing within the next 10 years, once that happens everyone will need to be up to date with new regs, there will be computer hubs in cupboards or under stair cases and you will be able to switch on the tv or lights at home from your remote control and mobile phone, it has already sort of started, once the cost comes down wiring in new houses as we know it will change forever, JMO. The supplies to equipment will probably change to take this into account, also technology with machinery is changing all the time, as kit changes, regs change.

I think every 5 years for a new book with free updates in between.

Technology is changing fast in the domestic sector, but it has largely been in place in the commercial/industrial sectors for many years as far as BMS and Ethernet is concerned.

The regs don't specifically mention this technology, but leave us to interpret a "one size fits all" set of rules depending on where we are working. It's better than a book for each type of installation!

We've not had to buy a new book since 2008, but it's annoying knowing that the 18th edition is probably not too far away - even though its probably another four years yet.

 

[ruston]

Iv'e gone for seven , but thats for an edition change . All amendments should be free to download during the lifetime of the edition.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

I would go for the option, 'as and when required'.
There is a download able version with Imbelieve free updates for amendments, though it is a trifle too expensive for my taste.the GNs and the OSG are written by the IET which is why they come out after the Regs.
The Committee is made up of people from throughout the industry, not all are members or employed by the IET. So it's not really the IET pushing the changes
The NICEIC and the ESC have seats on the comitee as do some of the other schemes.
The changes to the numbering system was due to align it with the IEC numbering system.
Regs that end in 100 are IEC Regs, those that end in 200 are British Regs.
Some of the changes are an attempt to clarify requirements or In one case to rectify an error.

 

[TJ Anderson]

What's annoying about there updates isn't the parts about new technology but the bits that have been in it for years that they mustn't have got right in the 1st place. QUOTE]

I totally agree with that. Change for changes sake. Makes them look stupid. Also annoying things, like taking out BS1361 time/current characteristics in the BGB when it is something we all use. They will probably put it back in the next one and justify it as an addition.

 

[Flanders]

I think im going to skip this additon and wait for the the brown one I have only just finished highlighting my green one and putting page markers in it !!!

 

[UNG]

The IET have set a precedence, and the regs will be updated every 3 years. The next edition/version or whatever they come up with will be introduced in 2018. Guess who is behind it all.......no surprise, its the NICEIC. They may not write the regs, but they tell the IET what to put in it.

Cheers..............Howard

Since the days of the 15th edition the modification and updating of the regs has become a money spinning cash cow and the two culprits you mention are not the only ones who have an interest in regs being changed every few years

Page inserts could be a cheaper option, but this wouldn't make the IET any money.
I do like Flanders idea of a downloadable version.

The loose leaf format of the 16th edition was a good idea where an update pack costing £20 was available when changes occurred

I think every 5 years for a new book with free updates in between.

Technology is changing fast in the domestic sector, but it has largely been in place in the commercial/industrial sectors for many years as far as BMS and Ethernet is concerned.

The regs don't specifically mention this technology, but leave us to interpret a "one size fits all" set of rules depending on where we are working. It's better than a book for each type of installation!

We've not had to buy a new book since 2008, but it's annoying knowing that the 18th edition is probably not too far away - even though its probably another four years yet.

Most of the technology has it's own regulations or is covered by an EN or BS standard of it's own so why does the regs have to change with it


Any changes to the regs has a knock on effect that all the other associated books become outdated from the days of the 14th edition costing £30 - £35 and containing everything we now have the regs with parts split out into the Guidance notes etc and a regs change now could cost an electrician £300 - £400 if not more should you buy all the books
Is it any wonder that the fakers are latching on to this as they see plenty of money to be made. I have never understood why the electronic versions of the regs are so expensive and the regular updates it offers clearly indicate that the paper books on the bookshelf are probably out of date before they are purchased

 

[Octopus]

I think im going to skip this additon and wait for the the brown one I have only just finished highlighting my green one and putting page markers in it !!!

Which would suggest that you are not scheme member

 

[ferg]

I would agree with spin on the as and when required.

It's not going to be too long before printed versions are obsolete.

Pay for your copy of the regs, ammendments free and when an entire new version needs to be issued, so be it.

Although I think we are heading towards a subscription based model.

 

[Knobhead]

I think im going to skip this additon and wait for the the brown one I have only just finished highlighting my green one and putting page markers in it !!!

Which would suggest that you are not a scheme member

Why would anyone need to be in a scam?

 

[Octopus]

Why would anyone need to be in a scam?

I was purely speculating that as a scheme member I have to have the lates regs books but if you aren't in a scheme you can stop buying them.

That said there are a couple of sparks around me that still appear to be installing to the 16th edition.

 

[Flanders]

Which would suggest that you are not scheme member

Yes I'm Afraid I am I will get myself on a course with includes the new Book and get some fresh Highlighters and start colouring it in

 

[ipf]

Yes I'm Afraid I am I will get myself on a course with includes the new Book and get some fresh Highlighters and start colouring it in

A course of medication, I take it....

 

[ackbarthestar]

BS 7671 comes under the remit of the BSI organization which means loads of Money as its publications have a limited specific readership.
If we follow the present amendment updates every three years then we'll have a new edition every 15 years which is about right

 

[Adam W]

I don't see why it needs updating any more often than 5 years, and even then if they haven't got anything worth changing then it should stay as it is.

I'm not a scam member so I didn't bother buying the green book and I won't be buying the yellow book. I might buy the 18th edition when it comes out, if I 'need' to do the course.

Something which annoyed me when they brought the red book out was they allocated reg numbers for certain things but didn't publish anything about it until the update - could they not have just waited until they knew what they were going to write about before publishing the book? I don't know of a single case where someone was electrocuted because their house was wired to 16th edition and not 17th, and even then the new editions aren't retrospective, so I don't understand the rush to get the book out before it was ready.