18th Edition Wiring Regulations Course

Mastering the specific terminology used throughout the book and assessing how external influences or installation types dictate specific wiring requirements.

Detailed study of protection against electric shock, thermal effects, overcurrent, and voltage disturbances, including the mandatory use of Arc Fault Detection Devices (AFDDs) in specific builds.

Practical guidance on choosing the right wiring systems, isolation devices, and earthing arrangements to ensure long-term installation integrity.

Understanding the rigorous requirements for initial verification and periodic reporting, alongside specialised rules for “high-risk” areas like bathrooms, swimming pools, and EV charging points.

A modern addition covering Prosumer Electrical Installations (PEIs), focusing on how buildings generate, store, and manage their own renewable energy.

Amendment 4:2026 (the “Orange Book”) represents a major update to the 18th Edition, focusing heavily on the integration of renewable energy storage and digital infrastructure. It incorporates all previous changes from Amendment 3:2024 into the main body of the regulations and introduces several entirely new technical sections.

Key Technical Updates:

1. Stationary Secondary Batteries (New Chapter 57): For the first time, there is a dedicated chapter for battery storage systems. This covers safe installation, thermal runaway mitigation, and specific location requirements (e.g., prohibiting battery racks in lofts or escape routes).
2. Power over Ethernet (New Section 716): Provides requirements for distributing ELV DC power via balanced data cabling, ensuring that data cables (PoE) can safely handle the thermal loads of powering devices like lighting and security.
3. Functional Earthing for ICT (New Section 545): Clarifies the requirements for earthing and bonding in information and communication technology systems, focusing on signal integrity and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC).
4. Major Overhaul of Medical Locations (Section 710): Includes stricter testing schedules and a new requirement for recording the resistance of supplementary protective bonding conductors in healthcare settings.
5. Energy Efficiency (Chapter 81): A new framework designed to promote energy-efficient design and support the UK’s move toward net-zero targets.

Implementation Timeline:

• Publication Date: 15 April 2026.
• Immediate Use: The new standards can be implemented immediately upon publication.
• Withdrawal Date: 15 October 2026 (the “Hard Cutoff”). After this date, all new designs and certifications must comply with Amendment 4.

Note: Amendment 4 moves the 18th Edition from the “Brown Book” (A2/A3) to the “Orange Book” format, merging all previous updates into one consolidated volume.

All practising electricians, electrical installers, designers, maintenance engineers, and related building service professionals in the UK must hold a current 18th Edition qualification to join Competent Person Schemes, gain ECS/JIB cards, or work legally on fixed electrical installations.

It is also a useful qualification to hold if you are a tradesperson who completes domestic electrical work, such as wiring in a boiler or shower.

The qualification does not expire, but major amendments, such as the change from the 17th to the 18th wiring regulations, require updating knowledge. Professionals must stay current with new editions to maintain compliance.

The course covers the intent, structure, and navigation of BS 7671, with particular focus on key safety concepts, new amendments, and practical application via real-world scenarios. The final assessment tests the understanding of definitions, protection measures, inspection/testing, and special locations, using open-book multiple choice. With commitment, most learners succeed even if they are new to regulatory study.