Understanding the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations—Amendment 3
Amendment 3 to BS 7671 landed on 31 July 2024 and adds fresh rules every practising electrician must follow. Below is a quick-fire overview of what changed, why it matters, and how you can keep your knowledge sharp with an electrical course through Elec Training.
A refresher on BS 7671
The Wiring Regulations set the legal benchmark for electrical design, installation and verification in the UK. They dictate:
- Design & installation – cable choice, circuit configuration, fault-current protection.
- Testing & verification – inspections, continuity, insulation resistance, Z s and RCD tests before hand-over.
- Safety measures – earthing, bonding, surge and arc-fault protection to guard lives and property.
Every few years the book updates to reflect new technology; Amendment 3 is the latest tweak.
What’s new in Amendment 3?
Theme | Change | Why it matters |
Protective devices | New clause 530.3.201 demands you decide whether each device must handle one-way (unidirectional) or two-way (bidirectional) current flow. | Battery storage, solar PV and EV chargers can push energy back toward the board; the wrong protective device may fail in reverse fault conditions. |
Definitions added | Bidirectional protective device and unidirectional protective device now sit in Chapter 2. | Product labelling (“line / load” or arrow icons) becomes mandatory so installers can see status at a glance. |
Marking requirements | RCCBs, RCBOs, MCBs and AFDDs must carry clear “in” and “out” or equivalent. | Faster inspections, fewer mis-wired devices, easier EICR coding. |
The upshot: whenever you design or certify systems that include solar, batteries or an ev charging course install, device directionality is no longer optional paperwork—it is a compliance headline.
Staying compliant without downtime
- Update your rule book – Amendment 3 is a free PDF on the IET and BSI sites; download, bookmark and keep it open during design.
- Book a short-format 18th Edition refresher – Elec Training delivers live-online and classroom updates that slot around site work.
- Log CPD hours – regulators increasingly ask for proof; auto-export certificates into your portfolio.
- Read ahead for the 19th edition rumour mill – Amendment 3 is a stepping-stone; bigger rewrites are on the horizon.
Training routes that fit your diary
- Fast half-day webinar – perfect if you already hold 2382-22 and only need the delta.
- One-day practical plus exam – run at our Black Country site for those who prefer hands-on rigs; pair it with Electrician Courses in Wolverhampton if you’re starting a longer skill-upgrade journey.
- Full three-day classroom package – blends Amendment 3 theory with inspection-and-test drills; ideal before your next periodic EICR block.
Each pathway carries CPD credits and links directly to the evidence needed for your nvq level 3 electrical logbook.
Five quick wins you can use tomorrow
- Stock labelled devices – order bidirectional-rated RCBOs for any board that may one day feed a PV array.
- Document torque – upload digital wrench read-outs to your job file; auditors love the traceability.
- Create a device register – note serial numbers, directionality and test dates; future EICRs will fly.
- Add reverse-current tests to your Z s worksheet when storage systems are present.
- Educate the client – a two-minute brief on why marks say “line” and “load” avoids later DIY swaps that void your certificate.
Amendment 3 is small on page count but big on risk reduction. Equip yourself with the latest rules through an Elec Training electrical course and you’ll wire, test and certify with confidence—today, and when the 19th Edition arrives.
FAQs
What is the hourly rate for an apprentice electrician?
UK apprentice electricians earn £6.40-£12/hour, averaging £8, increasing with training progression.
What is the electrician hourly rate in NYC?
NYC electricians earn $40-$60/hour, averaging $50, due to high demand and costs.
What is the current hourly rate for an electrician?
UK electricians earn £15-£25/hour employed, £20-£50/hour self-employed, varying by region.
What is the hourly rate for an electrician in London?
London electricians charge £20-£40/hour employed, up to £50/hour self-employed, reflecting demand.
What is the hourly rate of an electrician in the UK?
UK electricians charge £15-£25/hour employed, £20-£50/hour self-employed, depending on location.
How long does it take to become an electrician journeyman?
In the UK, becoming a journeyman takes 3-5 years; in the US, 4-5 years.
How to become an electrician apprentice in Iowa?
Apply with high school diploma, join a 4-year apprenticeship, complete 8,000 hours, and pass Iowa’s journeyman exam.
What do you have to do to become an apprentice electrician?
Secure Maths/English GCSEs (9-4), enroll in City & Guilds Level 2, and join an apprenticeship.
How to become an electrician in New Zealand?
Complete a 3.5-year apprenticeship, gain NZ Certificate Level 4, and register with EWRB.
How do I become an electrician?
Complete City & Guilds Levels 2 and 3, an apprenticeship, NVQ Level 3, and AM2.
Is it easier to become an electrician or a plumber?
Both take 3-5 years; electrician training is slightly more technical, but difficulty is similar.
