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How Amendment 2 affects Distribution Board installations

01-12-2022


distribution boards

When Amendment 2 to the Wiring Regulations was published it mandated use of AFDDs in certain premises, it mandated use of SPDs in electrical installations, it mandated 30mA protection for users of sockets outlets. So, what exactly are the new requirements and how do designers & installers accommodate these changes in Distribution Boards?

AFDDs in SP&N & TP&N Distribution Boards

Regulation 421.1.7 states that arc fault detection devices (to BS EN 62606) shall be provided for single-phase AC final circuits supplying socket-outlets with a rated current not exceeding 32 A in:

  • Higher Risk Residential Buildings (HRRB)

  • Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO)

  • Purpose-Built Student Accommodation

  • Care Homes

In the above types of premises, all socket outlet circuits, including landlord circuits, service circuits, shared circuits, and those within individual accommodations will require protection by an AFDD and in many cases some of these circuits will be fed directly from Distributions Boards.

Wylex SP&N and TP&N MCB Distribution Boards are all designed to accept single module Arc Fault Detection Devices (with integral Type A RCBO) making compliance easy for the designer & installer.

Transient Overvoltage Protection. It’s Required in all Electrical Installations

Regulation 443.3.1 in Amendment 2 states that transient overvoltage protection must be provided in installations where transient overvoltage can cause:

  • serious injury to, or loss of, human life

  • the failure of a safety service

  • significant financial or data loss

Protection against transient overvoltage is also required in all other cases unless the owner of the installation declares that it’s not required and they accept all consequences from omitting overvoltage protection.

Wylex SP&N and TP&N MCB Distribution Boards are all designed to accept integral overvoltage protection devices (SPD) making compliance easy for the designer & installer.

Protection Against Electric Shock for Users of Socket Outlets

Regulation 411.3.3 now requires additional protection by use of a 30mA Device on socket outlets (up to 32A rating) in all locations where those socket outlets are liable to be used by persons of BA1, BA2 & BA3 capability i.e. ordinary persons, children, and disabled persons. No exceptions permitted.

Wylex SP&N and TP&N MCB Distribution Boards are all designed to accept single pole and two pole 30mA Type A RCBOs making it easy to provide 30mA protection on individual socket circuits, making compliance easy for the designer & installer.

Total Protection from Amendment 2 Distribution Boards

Wylex Distribution Boards accept AFDDs, RCBOs, MCBs in any mix on the busbar, and accommodate integral overvoltage protection (SPD) - there’s no special considerations necessary, just standard off the shelf equipment.

Discover Wylex Distribution Board Solutions

What are Amendment 2 Distribution Boards? Well, the answer is quite simple. They are standard Distribution Boards that accept AFDDs, SPDs, RCBOs and MCBs. Ask Wylex.