BS 7671, the IET Wiring Regulations, is the UK national standard for electrical installations. Amendment 2 to the 18th Edition (BS 7671:2018+A2:2022) was published in March 2022 and took full effect for new designs from September 2022. It changed several things that now show up on EICRs and installation quotes. It has since been followed by further amendments, and inspectors work to the edition current at the date of inspection.
1. Surge protection (Section 443)
Protection against transient overvoltages is now expected in almost all new installations. A surge protective device (SPD) must be fitted where the consequences of an overvoltage could cause serious injury, loss of life, interruption of public services or significant commercial loss. In other cases an SPD should be fitted unless the owner chooses to decline it for a single dwelling. On an EICR of an existing installation, no SPD is typically a C3 recommendation rather than a defect.
2. Arc fault detection devices (Regulation 421.1.7)
AFDDs detect dangerous arcing in cables and connections that ordinary breakers miss. Amendment 2 made them a requirement for socket-outlet final circuits rated up to 32A in higher-risk residential buildings, HMOs, purpose-built student accommodation and care homes, and recommended them for other premises.
3. RCD protection for socket-outlets
Additional protection by a 30mA RCD is required for socket-outlets rated up to 32A, extending the earlier 20A threshold, with only limited documented exceptions.
4. Prosumer installations (Chapter 82)
A new chapter covers installations that can generate and store energy as well as consume it: solar PV, batteries, and EV chargers capable of feeding back. It is increasingly relevant as homes and businesses add low-carbon technology.
5. New certificates and EICR forms
The model forms in Appendix 6 were updated, including the EICR, with clearer sections for limitations and observations. If your report looks different from a pre-2022 one, that is why.
Does my existing installation now fail?
No. BS 7671 is not retrospective. An installation that met the edition in force when it was installed is not automatically unsafe. The inspector’s job is to judge whether it is safe for continued use, and items that simply do not meet the latest edition are normally C3 recommendations. See EICR codes explained.
Planning work? Our consumer unit upgrades include surge protection and AFDDs where required.