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Links to On-line Information Sources

Disclaimer: Please note that these links are to third-party web sites. With the exception of some bookshop links, we have no reciprocal trading or promotional arrangements with these independent sites. We provide these links only as a service. Provision of these links does not imply our approval of the site contents or any advice or recommendations that may be given by these third parties, or of manufacturer's products; neither does it imply the suitability of any items of equipment as being suitable for any specific purpose.
If in doubt: consult a qualified Electrician or Electrical Engineer.

• General Guidance
• Guidance for Landlords
• Building Regulations (including Part-P)
• Health and Safety
• Discussion Forums
• Trade, Consumer and Other Organisations
• Rewiring and Consumer Unit Replacement
• Gardens and Outbuildings
• Environmental Protection
• Cables in Walls and Partitions
• Special Locations (including locations containing a bath or shower)
• Lighting
• Safe Installation of Downlighters
• Earthing and Bonding
• Competency and Qualifications
• Training Courses and Education
• Electrical Certification and Forms
• On-Line Mail-Order Suppliers
• Supply Disconnection and Temporary De-Energisation
• UK Electrical Network Information - Distribution Network Operators (DNOs)
• Manufacturers Literature and Catalogues
• Inspection and Testing
• Technical Standards
• Tools

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General Guidance

• Guide for consumers when ordering domestic electrical work (From the ESC and IET)
• Understanding your Fusebox (From the ESC)
• The Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002 (OPSI: Free download)
• The Electrician's Guide to the 16th Edition of the IEE Wiring Regulations (on-line book - or buy it now)
• The IEE Wiring Regulations -  Web Page
• The IET: Wiring Matters Magazine (Downloadable back-copies)
• Residual Current Devices (IEE Wiring Matters 15, Summer 2005)
• Understanding RCDs (IEE Wiring Matters 19, Summer 2006)
• The IEE On-Site Guide (bookshop link)
• MCB Basics (MCB=Miniature Circuit Breaker. Moeller Electric Ltd - Technical Article)
• Bending Radii of Cables (ESC Technical Manual B29--1)
• Neutral borrowed (Dangers of, & etc.; ESC Technical Manual N5-1)
• European Harmonized Cable Colours (Since March 2006)
• Establishing Current Ratings for Cables in Thermal Insulation (IEE Wiring Matters 15, Summer 2005)
• Adequate Provision of Electrical Socket Outlets in the home. (Parker Morris Report for the ECA)
• Guidance on safe isolation procedures for low voltage installations.
  (ESC Best Practice Guide No.2)
• Guide to Low Voltage Switch and Fusegear Devices (BEAMA Ltd.)

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Guidance for Landlords

• Guidance for Landlords

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Technical Standards

• BS 7671:2001 (IEE Wiring Regulations, 16th Edition) (IEE root web-page)
• Guide to Circuit Breaker Standards (EIEMA)
• Guide to the IP Codes for Enclosures (EIEMA Booklet)

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Building Regulations

• Government (DCLG) Index
• Explanatory Booklet (DCLG)

Part-L (Conservation of Fuel and Power)

Part-M (Access to and use of buildings)

• Heights of switches and sockets, energy efficient luminaires and the Building Regulations
  (IEE Wiring Matters, Autumn 2002)

Part-P (Electrical Safety)

• Part-P (The Building (Amendment) (No.3) Regulations 2004)
• Amendment of Part P (electrical safety)
  (The Building and Approved Inspectors (Amendment) Regulations 2006)
• Part-P Approved Document-(6th April 2006 version)
• District Surveyors Association Guidance Note for the operation of Part-P (14-Dec'04)
  N.B. A problem on the wyreforestdc.gov.uk server means you must right-click and select 'Save Target As...'
• Anne Hemming letter dated 3 March 2005: Building Regulations Part P
   (Includes clarification of LBA's Inspection & Testing Responsibilties)
• www.partp.co.uk
• Minimum Technical Competence of Enterprises that undertake Electrical Installation Work in Dwellings
• The Electricians Guide to the Building Regulations ("Clear Concise factual" book link)
• New rules for electrical safety in the home (DCLG Part-P Guidance Leaflet for Consumers)

Building Regulations Part-P: History/Background

• Proposals for new safety requirements for electrical installation work
  (2002 Part-P Consultation Document)
• Introduction - Electrical Safety in Dwellings
  (Introduction to 'A summary of the results of the 2002 consultation')
• Electrical Safety in Dwellings
  (A summary of the results of the 2002 consultation)
• Regulatory impact Assessment: Signed 13 July 2004
• Part-P (The Building (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations 2004)

Building Regulations Part-P: Self Certification Schemes

• BSI (British Standards Institution)
• NAPIT (National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers)
• NICEIC Registration (NICEIC Group Ltd.)
• ECA (The Electrical Contractors' Association)
• ELECSA Limited

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Health and Safety

• Electrical Safety at Work (HSE)
• The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 (OPSI: Free download)
• The Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002 (OPSI: Free download)
• The Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity regulations (From IEE Wiring Matters, Autumn 2002)
• HSE: Leaflets (Free downloads)
• Safety in Electrical Testing at Work - General Guidance (HSE: Free Download)
• Electrical Safety and You! (HSE: Free download)
• Electrical inspection and testing (HSE)
• Memorandum of Guidance on the Electricity at Work Regulations (bookshop link)
• Guidance on safe isolation procedures for low voltage installations.
  (ESC Best Practice Guide No.2)

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Discussion Forums

• The IEE Discussion Forums: Wiring and the Regulations

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Trade, Consumer and other Organisations

Professional

• The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) (Formerly The Institution of Electrical Engineers (IEE))

Trade Organisations

• The Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA)
• ELECSA
• National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers (NAPIT)
• British Electrotechnical and Allied Manufacturers' Association Limited

Consumer Organisations

• NICEIC Group Ltd. (Formerly: National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting)

Organisations that Register Electricians

• The Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA)
• ELECSA
• National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers (NAPIT)
• NICEIC Group Ltd. (Formerly: National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting)

Other

• The Electrical Safety Council (Safety charity, supported by the electrical industry)
• Department of Communities and Local Government (Building Regulations)
   Formerly The Office of The Deputy Prime Minister: (ODPM)
• The Health and Safety Executive (Electrical Safety)

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• Ageing of Cables (Commentary on IEE Wiring Regulations - (2002 edition) , Update April'04)
• Loading of Ring Circuits (Especially for Kitchen Appliance Loads ,)
  (IEE Wiring Matters 11,Spring 2002)
• Replacing a Consumer Unit in domestic premises where lighting circuits have no protective conductor (ESC Best Practice Guide No.1)
• Adequate Provision of Electrical Socket Outlets in the home.(Parker Morris Report for the ECA)
• MK Electric Socket Outlet Positioning Guide 
• On-line supplier of Wylex REC2 Main Switch/Isolator for Meter Tails (Prescot Electrical Discount Ltd.)

Guides to Consumer Units Compliant with 17th. Edition IEE Wiring Regulations

• Hager Consumer Unit Guide To The 17th Edition Wiring Regulations
• Wylex consumer units and the 17th edition
• 17th Edition MK Sentry Solutions
• Crabtree Starbreaker consumer units and the 17th edition

Gardens and Outbuildings

• Electrical installations outdoors- a supply to a detached outbuilding
  (IEE Wiring Matters 16, Autumn 2005)
• Underground Wiring (Extract from The Electrician's Guide to the 16th Edition IEE Regulations)
• Underground Ducting
• Polyethylene Cable Covers (For underground protection)
• Protection for Underground Buried Services (Boddington's Index)
• Meters suitable for Home Office Installation (Reclaim your business electricity expenses & VAT)
• Current Rating and Correction Factors for Cables Buried in the Ground (Batt Cables)

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Environmental Influences

• Guide to the IP Codes for Enclosures (EIEMA Booklet)

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Cables in Walls and Partitions

• Cables Concealed in Thin Walls or Partitions (From IEE Wiring Matters, Spring 2004)

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Special Locations (including locations containing a bath or shower)

• Earthing plastic pipes, to bond or not (From IEE Wiring Matters 6, Autumn 1999, Revised Nov 2002)
• Section 601 Revisited (locations containing a bath or shower)  (From IEE Wiring Matters, Autumn 2004)
• Part P Special Locations and Kitchens  (From IEE Wiring Matters, Autumn 2004)

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Lighting

Replacing Incandescent Lamps with Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs)
(all articles by Rod Elliott, Elliot Sound Products of Australia)

• Should There be a Ban on Incandescent Lamps?

Potential problems:

• Not suitable for use in enclosed (or poorly ventilated) lights
• Not suitable for use with Dimmers
• Poor levels of illumination
• Reduced service life
• Potentially dangerous normal modes of failure
• Flickering when switched off
• Possible health issues

Safe Installation of Downlighters

• Installing Recessed Luminaires in Ceilings (From IEE Wiring Matters  Issue 14, spring 2005)
• Installing Downlighters Safely  (From IEE Wiring Matters Issue 22, spring 2007)
• Guidance Note for Construction Professionals on the Use of Downlighters in Dwellings
  (East Devon District Council Building Control, Guidance Note 4)

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Earthing and Bonding

• Earthing your questions answered (IEE Wiring Matters 16, Autumn 2005)
• Earthing plastic pipes, to bond or not (From IEE Wiring Matters 6, Autumn 1999, Revised Nov 2002)
• Protective Multiple Earthing - A guide for Radio Amateurs (-and the rest of us!)
• PME supplies and the ESQC Regulations (IEE Wiring Matters, Autumn 2002)
• Means of Earthing (ESC Technical Manual E45-25)
• The  Use of the  Armour of Steel Wire Armoured Cables as a Protective Conductor
• Armour Resistance and Conductivity (Batt Cables)
• Copper-Equivalent Cross-Sectional Area of Cable Steel Armour  (www.earthingnuts.co.uk)

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Competency and Qualifications
Note: These links are useful for customers wanting to assess or understand Electrician's qualifications.

• Search for a 'Part-P Competent Person'
• Competency for Persons Involved in Electrical Installation Work  (IEE Wiring Matters, Spring 2007)
• A learners Guide to Electrotechnical Qualifications (City & Guilds Institute)
• The Electrotechnical Assessment Scheme
• Minimum Technical Competence of Enterprises that undertake Electrical Installation Work in Dwellings
• Domestic Electrical Installers Level-2 Certificate (IEE Wiring Matters, Summer 2005)

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Training Courses & Education

• How to become and Electrician (IEE summary - PDF Document)
• IEE Electrical Training Courses
• Testing of Electrical Installations (IEE: 1-day short course)

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Electrical Certification and Forms

See also: Inspection and Testing

• Forms for Electrical Contractors (IEE: Fillable Forms based on BS 7671)

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On-Line Mail-Order Suppliers

• TLC-Direct
• Screwfix
• The Crimp Company
• Kestral Controls Ltd.
• Alert Electrical

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Manufacturer's Literature and Catalogues

• Clipsal Product Catalogues & downloads.
• Wylex Circuit Protection 2007
• Hager Catalogues, Brochures, Guides, etc.
• MK On-line Product Index
• Electrium Catalogues  (Appleby, Britmac, Crabtree, Marbo, Volex & Wylex)
• AEI Cables (Useful list of cable types and specifications)

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UK Electrical Network Information - Distribution Network Operators (DNOs)

• The Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002 (OPSI: Free download)
• ENO: Information for Electrical Contractors (UK regional map of suppliers)
• EDF Energy: Contact Details

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Supply Disconnection and Temporary De-Energisation
Note: This information is applicable to all installers requiring temporary de-energisation of supply.

• Information for Electrical Contractors seeking Temporary Disconnection
  (ENA: Contact details relating to low voltage services provided by DNOs)
• EDF Energy: Information for Electricians (PDF document)
• CE-Electric UK:  (NEDL & YEDL) Guidance for Electrical Contractors
• E.On-Central Networks: Information for Electrical Contractors
• SSE Power Distribution, Disconnection of Electrical Supply
  (Applies to Southern Electric and Scottish Hydro Electric Distribution Licence areas. PDF document)
• United Utilities: Guidance for electrical contractors
• Western Power Distribution: Information for Electrical Installers

Note: While the supply is isolated, why not fit a Switch/Isolator to the Meter Tails:

• Wylex REC2 Main Switch/Isolator for Meter Tails (Prescot Electrical Discount Ltd.)

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Inspection and Testing

Documents

• Electrical inspection and testing (HSE)
• Safety in Electrical Testing at Work - General Guidance (HSE: Free Download)
• Electrical Test Equipment for Use by Electricians - Guidance Notes (HSE bookshop link)
• Inspecting and Testing Residual Current Devices (IEE Wiring Matters 15, Summer 2005)
• Periodic inspection reporting - recommendation codes for domestic and similar electrical installations
  (Best Practice Guide No.4)
• ODPM Circular 8/2004 (Includes clarification of LBA's Inspection & Testing Responsibilties)

Installation, Inspection and Test Certificates

• Forms for Electrical Contractors (IEE: Fillable Forms, based on BS 7671)

Test Equipment

Monitoring and Maintaining Accuracy and Consistency

• Ongoing accuracy of test instruments (IEE Wiring Matters 16, Autumn 2005)

Manufacturers

• Kewtech Corporation Ltd

• Martindale Electric

On-Line Suppliers (we've had good service from these people):

• Cuthbertsonlaird Group

• Glanford Electronics Limited

• J W Instruments Ltd.

• Prescot Electrical Discount Ltd.
  (Supplier of Wylex REC2 Main Switch/Isolator for Meter Tails.)

Test Lamps & Voltage Detectors

• Drummond

• Martindale

Proving Units and Calibration Checkers

• Martindale PD690

• Kewtech Calibration Self-Checker (Check prices at On-Line Suppliers, above)

Hire

• Cuthbertsonlaird Group

Tools

Crimping

• Elpress

• Pressmaster

• Pressmaster Technical Guide (Tip: can also be downloaded from RS-Components)

• Knipex Crimping Information

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