In today’s fast-evolving world, electrical safety regulations are essential safeguards, designed to prevent fires, electric shocks, and catastrophic system failures.
As infrastructures modernize and technologies like electric vehicle charging and prosumer energy systems grow in prevalence, regulatory frameworks are being updated globally to reflect new risks and best practices.
Here’s a look at some of the most impactful updates in electrical safety standards and what they mean for industries, professionals, and everyday users.
UNITED KINGDOM– BS 7671 (18th EDITION AMENDMENT 3)
The UK’s IET Wiring Regulations have been updated: the 18th Edition, Amendment 3 (2024) is now the current standard . Key changes include:
Arc Fault Detection Devices (AFDDs): becoming mandatory in high-risk buildings such as residential high-rises, care homes and student housing .
Consumer units: now required to be constructed from non-combustible materials, typically metal .
Cable support in escape routes: enhanced requirements to ensure cables remain secure during fire events .
Prosumer energy systems: new rules for buildings generating their own power, such as solar installations, with considerations for safety and integration .
Residual Current Device (RCD) protection: continued emphasis on protecting circuits from ground-fault currents .
IRELAND – I.S. 10101:2020 (NATIONAL WIRING RULES)
Ireland has rolled out new wiring regulations, known as I.S. 10101:2020- bringing several safety advances :
RCDs on lighting circuits: Residual Current Devices with ≤ 30 mA trip threshold are now mandatory for lighting circuits.
Arc Fault Detection Devices (AFDDs): Recommended, especially in dwellings with sleeping quarters and structures built from combustible materials.
Surge protection: required on all distribution boards, unless a documented risk assessment deems it unnecessary.
Distribution board requirements: Incorporation of isolation switches interrupting both live and neutral lines; height limit of 2.15 m for mounted boards; compliance with EN 61439 standards.
Cabling standards: Minimum specifications for cable performance (e.g. class Dca-s2,d2,a2 per EN 50575) to address fire risk.
These measures ensure safer home installations and integration of modern technologies like EV charging and PV systems .
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD - IEC SERIES
Several international standards continue to underpin safety in specific applications:
IEC 60364: Covers electrical installations in buildings, addressing shock protection, overcurrent, earthing systems, and special environments like bathrooms, marinas, solar installations, and EV supply systems .
IEC 60204-1: Addresses safety of electrical equipment on machinery, focusing on protective bonding, emergency stop systems, electromagnetic compatibility, and switchgear requirements .
IEC 61508: A foundational standard on functional safety for electronic control systems, emphasizing predictable failures and a safety lifecycle approach .
Other specialized IEC standards include surge protection (IEC 61643 series), insulation fault detection (IEC 61557-9, -12), power equipment safety (IEC 61558-2-6), and high-voltage switchgear (IEC 62271 series) .
United States – NFPA Standards & OSHA
In the U.S., the National Electrical Code (NFPA 70) and OSHA regulations govern electrical safety:
NFPA 70B: Elevated from a recommended practice to a standard in 2023; focuses on preventive maintenance of electrical systems in industrial and institutional settings to reduce equipment failures and injuries .
NFPA 70E: Provides guidance for electrical safety in the workplace, particularly regarding safe work practices and protective equipment .
OSHA electrical standards: Under 29 CFR 1910 and related subparts, these regulations cover equipment, protective gear, and procedures during maintenance and operation of electrical systems .
Clearance Rules & Public Safety – Example from Lagos, Nigeria
In Lagos, Nigeria, authorities are enforcing strict compliance with clearances around overhead power lines to avoid hazards:
Minimum clearances (vertical and horizontal) vary by voltage:
Low-voltage (≤ 415 V): Vertical 2.5 m, Horizontal 1.2 m
Up to 11 kV: Vertical 3.7 m, Horizontal 1.2 m
Up to 33 kV: Vertical 3.7 m, Horizontal 2.0 m
Above 33 kV: Add 0.30 m per extra 33 kV to both clearances .
Officials also recommend practices like installing earth leakage circuit breakers (ELCBs) and avoiding unsafe behaviors like flying kites or parking near meters .
Manufacturing Safety Compliance – Nigeria’s OTR 2024
The federal Republic of Nigeria Standards has introducing the Omnibus Technical Regulation (OTR) Order, 2024, which will require certification of a wide range of machinery and electrical equipment (over 400 products across 90 standards) under mandatory certification. This comes into effect on August, 2025 and will cover items like switchgear, pumps, cranes, and production machinery .
To conclude
Electricity powers modern life, but without stringent safety frameworks, it also poses severe risks. Across the world, regulatory bodies are updating standards to match new technologies, installation environments, and public behaviors..
From enhanced consumer board protections and surge safeguarding to international functional safety lifecycles and cleared zones around power lines, these rules reflect a renewed focus on prevention, resilience, and human safety. Whether you’re an engineer, installer, policy maker, or homeowner, staying informed, and compliant, is the best protection of all.