Electrical equipment
BS 7671 (IET Wiring Regulations) defines ‘electrical equipment’ as:
| Any item for such purposes as generation, conversion, transmission, distribution or utilisation of electrical energy, such as machines, transformers, apparatus, measuring instruments, protective devices, wiring systems, accessories, appliances and luminaires. |
Electrical equipment within a building would therefore cover all of the items above – whether they are installed and ‘fixed’ as part of a fixed installation (and hence covered under BS 7671) or provided ‘loose’ by a building user and simply plugged in - typically referred to as a freestanding appliance.
One often misunderstood point is that wiring systems, such as cabling systems, busbar trunking and the like, are classified as ‘equipment’ under BS 7671. This is because, unarguably, they serve the purpose of transmission and distribution of electrical energy.
It is also essential that in the classification of equipment, whether or not it forms part of the fixed installation, is also made clear. This will vary from one building to another. This detail is essential when considering work such as ongoing maintenance or periodic testing and inspection.
--ECA
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Articles about electricity.
- BS 7671 (IET Wiring Regulations)
- Consumer electronics.
- Consumer units.
- ECA articles.
- Electric lock.
- Electric motor.
- Electrical appliance.
- Electrical component.
- Electrical consumption.
- Electrical energy.
- Electrical installation.
- Electrical power.
- Electrical safety.
- Electrician.
- Electricity supply.
- Electrical system.
- Glossary of electrical terms.
Featured articles and news
A simple path to possible error avoidance.
Construction + technology = ConTech.
Social distancing and construction sites
New low and high tech tools enter the marketplace.
Report looks at mental health in the built environment.
Radiant wall heating method to control rising damp.
What future infrastructure provision might look like.
Highlighting the health benefits of home improvement.
Pavilions for music, entertainment, and leisure. Book review.
Broadening our understanding of Dublin’s chequered social history.
What are those little green huts?
The charm of London's Cabmen's shelters.
Future Weather Files research tool looking for feedback.
Exploring the Colour Rendering Index.
Why it's important to find out what went wrong.
ECA reviews the shape of the construction job market.
Why proper room acoustics make a difference.
Initiative puts gas networks on the path to net zero.
WICE Woman Architectural Technologist of the Year 2019.