Part P is a testing time

The inclusion of electrical wiring in the Building Regulations is long overdue because, if properly implemented, Part P will protect the integrity of the industry. Bona fide electricians have complained for years about cowboys forcing down margins and increasing distrust. Part P should, in time, prevent this from happening.

However, the wise decisions behind Part P have been hit by poor promotion to the trade from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM). The ODPM left communication to assessment scheme providers, such as the NICEIC, BRE and BSI – and the buck was passed too late. The result is that the vast majority of the public and most electricians remain ignorant of the major changes in legislation that have occurred.

It is now down to local authority building control to enforce the regulations and this will determine how quickly the cowboys are ridden out of town. However, it will be the advent of the seller’s pack for houses, due to start in 2006, that is likely to bring the issue to the fore. It can be envisaged that frustrated homeowners could be driven to sue unregistered electricians for carrying out uncertificated work.

At a recent electricians’ seminar on Part P hosted by Megger in East Anglia, it was all too apparent that confusion on the subject was rife. All those present, from the experienced to the newly qualified, gave out the same cry – too little communication, too late. Householders know little about the Part P changes and electricians are inadequately knowledgeable to advise them. This is a recipe for escalation into a blame culture.

Lack of knowledge extends right through to wholesalers. Some are being tricked into taking stock of products claiming to be “Part P compliant”. Suppliers who suggest there is a need for special instruments are simply trying to cash in on Part P by misleading customers.

It must be remembered that it’s the installation that has to comply with Part P, not the instruments used to test it. However, many wholesalers remain unaware that there is no stipulation on test equipment. In fact, the ranges of testers already stocked are ideal for meeting the requirements of Part P because these comply with the 16th edition of BS 7671, the IEE’s Wiring Regulations.

Part P, in essence, is designed to ensure that all UK electrical installations in dwellings comply with this standard by introducing the need for new work to be certified by a competent person. Demonstrating compliance involves carrying out tests as prescribed in BS 7671, and recording the results. Responsible contractors will already possess the equipment for these tests since, even before Part P, they will have been testing on every installation.

The vast majority of the public and most electricians remain ignorant of the major changes in legislation

Part P may inspire the purchase of new test equipment, if only because more instruments may be needed to cope with increased workload.

Only three basic instruments are needed for testing domestic installations, testers for: earth loop impedance; insulation and continuity; and residual current devices. For convenience and to reduce costs, some suppliers are offering instruments bundled together in Part P kits.

Whichever option is chosen, it is important to check whether the equipment allows insulation testing to be carried out at 250 V as wel l as at 500 V. The 250 V facility is needed for testing SELV installations, often found in domestic premises.

Testing to BS 7671 also involves using properly calibrated instruments. It is worthwhile checking that the manufacturer offers an accessible and affordable calibration service, and that the instruments have a reputation for stability of calibration.

Calibration stability is related to quality of construction, so it is worthwhile choosing robust test equipment. Regular on-site use is not kind to instruments and, quite apart from the cost of buying replacements, broken instruments mean delays on the job. The instrument’s ease of use must also be a priority because it will allow the contractor to work faster, and simple operation will avoid the risk of errors.

Proper education on Part P is now necessary for all involved. The industry needs to be made fully aware that Part P has not introduced any new testing requirements. Unless the industry is properly informed, Part P will not be successful. By publishing advice especially for contractors in its latest catalogue and on the web at www.megger.com/partp, Megger is playing its part. This covers the most cost-effective ways to buy kit, depending on what they already own and the type of work they carry out.