BS 7671 Amendment 3 and what it means for safe renewable power generation
In recent years, we’ve all become acutely aware of impacts caused by climate change and energy security.
Over a million UK homes now feature solar power arrays, and with the new Labour Government’s clean power pledge including the tripling of solar power by 2030, this trend is likely to continue.
In late 2021, the Conservative Government signalled that new building regulations should pave the way for further installation of electric vehicle charging points across a range of property assets. For example, new build homes with on-site parking would be required to have one electric vehicle charge point. And residential buildings undergoing major renovation containing at least ten parking spaces subsequent to the completed renovation would be required to have at least one electric vehicle charge point per dwelling.
Protecting the safety of energy-generating equipment
For us as a leading safety compliance provider supporting the UK’s social housing sector, Amendment 3 to BS 7671 Requirements for Electrical Installations (IET Wiring Regulations) plays a key role in protecting the safety of energy-generating equipment.
Introduced during summer 2024, Amendment 3 stipulates the installation of bi-directional protective devices to energy-generating equipment such as solar panels, battery storage units, and vehicle-to-grid electric vehicle charge points. Amendment 3 aims to ensure the safety and reliability of electrical installations associated with the growth of renewable energy generation and storage.
EICR reporting and Amendment 3
McIntyre Compliance Services are supporting social housing provider clients during their low carbon journey by recording all observations regarding the type of Residual Current Devices (RCD) present where energy generating equipment is found in an electrical installation. Should a Residual Current Device be present; utilised where the nature of supply parameters is provided in the way of either a TN-C-S or TN-S system; and the RCD is intended to provide additional protection and is not bi-directional, then we record a Code 3 observation within the EICR document. Such observations highlight to clients that, in accordance with BS 7671 Amendment 3, improvement is recommended.
Where supply parameters are met by TT earthing systems, and where an RCD meets maximum disconnection times stated in BS 7671 for fault protection and is not bi-directional where energy generating equipment is present in the installation, then a C2 observation is recorded. Such observations are rectified in line with client requirements to remove all C2 faults to enable satisfactory EICR reporting.
Reputable safety compliance providers can and do advise on any safety issue present at the time of EICR being carried out. Where any organisation has no energy-generating equipment present, there is no regulatory requirement to record observations regarding the absence of bi-directional protective devices, unless the safety compliance provider is instructed by the client to record the nature and type of RCD present in an installation.
If any organisation is planning to provide energy-generating equipment to a property, McIntyre Compliance Services recommends that a full assessment of the installation take place in order to detail the nature and type of supply and the capabilities of the installation.
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