What is this standard about?
This is a 2015 amendment to a 2011 British Standard on how to meet UK electrical installation earthing requirements.
Who is this standard for?
The standard is relevant in the following sectors: transport, aerospace, auto, railway, built environment, education and training, finance, healthcare, ICT, industrial (engineering services, electrical equipment, chemical, materials, food and agriculture, mechanical equipment, R&D, testing, textiles), services, oil/gas/energy.
It is of particular relevance to:
- Electricians and electrical engineers
- Engineering service providers
- Designers, specifiers, installers and maintainers of earthing and lightning protection equipment
- Built environment specialists (architectural and surveying services, building contractors, construction products providers)
- Librarians at colleges and technical institutes
- Councils and housing associations
- ICT service providers
- Electrical/electronic appliance manufacturers
Why should you use this standard?
Effective earthing safeguards people from the risk of electric shock. To design, specify, inspect and periodically test and maintain earthing systems without endangering those who come into contact with them, users need to follow the guidelines and recommendations outlined in this standard.
It covers earthing system design parameters for structures, electrical equipment and systems.
It also defines selection parameters for the earthing arrangements and makes clear the need for careful consideration of various site conditions such as soil composition and resistivity.
What’s changed since the last update?
Since BS 7430 was last revised in 2011 a number of queries, errors and inaccuracies were brought to BSI’s attention by users. This amendment tackles these issues and provides clarification on a number of points in the standard in order to eliminate any ambiguity. It includes a number of editorial changes which clarify the meaning of the text and corrects values and symbols. It also includes some technical changes to correct and clarify formulae and equations.
