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Ireland’s new National Rules for Electrical Installations (Wiring Rules) have been published by the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI). The document is the first major revision to the standard in over 10 years and is based on internationally agreed standards for safety of electrical installations.
As reported by Safe Electric, the new standard, also known as I.S. 10101:2020, will replace ET 101:2008, and has been produced by industry experts who sit on the NSAI’s Electro Technical Committee (ETC/TC 2) “Electrical Installations. The standard includes requirements for design and installation of many types of installations, including housing, hospitals, agricultural buildings, caravans, construction sites, industrial premises and swimming pools.
The revision programme took two years to complete and included a three-month public consultation from December 2018 to March 2019. Over 600 comments were submitted, and all were considered in detail by the committee. The National Rules for Electrical Installations are essential for electricians, electrical contractors and designers as they specify the safety requirements for electrical installations in all types of premises in Ireland. The revisions bring requirements in line with recent technical developments and best practice in Europe, including new technologies such as charging of electric vehicles, solar photovoltaic systems and guidance on energy efficiencies.
The National Standards Authority of Ireland’s Standards Technical Manager, Yvonne Wylde, said the new document is an essential and invaluable reference point for designers and electrical installers, providing for the safety of electrical installations in homes, businesses, factories and farming communities across the country. “Some of the key changes proposed in the new rules are that Residual Current Devices (RCDs) will now be required on lighting circuits in domestic premises, and Arc Fault Detection Devices (AFDDs) will be recommended for circuits installed in locations with particular risk, such as in premises with sleeping accommodation; or buildings made of combustible construction materials such as wooden buildings.” said Ms Wylde.