Technical Committee No. 2 (TC-2)
Electrical Installations
Annual Report 2015
Date: 20th March 2016
Scope
The scope of TC-2 includes the preparation of wiring rules, codes of practice and guides
dealing with electrical installations up to 1000V, and interpretation of the rules when
requested. The scope of the Rules of TC-2 does not extend to the internal wiring of
apparatus, or to machine assemblies complying with EN IS 60204 or to mines or quarries.
The Rules are not a product standard.
The National Rules are a national standard (which is defined as a voluntary specification
having a consensus among those involved) and do not have a statutory effect. However,
they are recognised in common law as the state of the art and are recognised by the Health
and Safety Authority (HSA) as means of complying with the Electricity Regulations.
Similarly ET101 is cited in the Building Regulations as the electrical installation wiring
standards required in order to comply with the statutory requirements. They have also
formally been recognised by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) as the technical
rules to be observed by registered electrical contractors.
The National Rules are prepared in consultation with the Department of the Environment
Community and Local Government (DOECLG) the HSA and with industry generally to
ensure that national consensus exists, which is the most important aspect of the work of
TC-2. A major feature of the work is the obligation to participate in CENELEC and IEC, and
to ensure that 1) Irish concerns are taken into account and 2) that CENELEC
harmonization decisions are implemented in the rules.
The scope of TC-2 also includes CENELEC BTTF 95 which deals with inspection of domestic
premises.
International TCs Shadowed by TC-2
IEC TC/64: Low Voltage Electrical Installations
CENELEC Technical Committee 64: Electrical Installations and protection against electric
shock.
Irish Industry/Sector Served by this TC
TC-2 serves industries engaged in the provision and maintenance of low voltage electrical
installations of all categories and in all sectors. It includes end users, engineering
consultancy practices, electrical installation contractors, and suppliers of electrical
equipment, electricity network operators, public bodies, regulatory and supervisory
organisations and other interested parties.
ETCI’s TC-2 Annual Report 2015
Page 1 of 8
Technical Committee No. 2 (TC-2)
Electrical Installations
1. Review of the Year 2015
1.1 Meetings of TC-2 Technical Committee:
Ref:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
ETCI’s TC-2 Meetings at 10:30 hours
(Last Thursday of every month)
30th
28th
25th
27th
24th
29th
26th
April 2015
May 2015
June 2015
August 2015
September 2015
October 2015
November 2015
1.2 Items of interest dealt with during 2015:

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TC-2 / CER meeting to discuss the proposal to develop a non-DSO
completion certificate. (19-March-15)
Review of the latest version of I.S. 813, COP for the installation of natural
gas or liquefied petroleum gas, in domestic premises, from the point of
delivery to the gas appliance. The review considered equipotential bonding
and earthing of pipework when a new boiler is installed (reflected in the latest
version of IS 813) in the context of heating installations incorporating both
plumbing and electrical aspects of same.
TC-2 / SEAI meeting to discuss equipotential bonding and earthing of
pipework when a new boiler is installed (reflected in the latest version of IS
813) in the context of heating installations incorporating both plumbing and
electrical aspects of same.
Equipotential bonding/earthing RCD requirements for bathroom extract fans
when installed in domestic dwellings.
Detailed submission to CER re non-DSO Certificate (certificate 3)
Comparisons between the ETCI National Rules for Electrical Installations
(Fourth edition) and the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General
Application), Regulations S.I. No. 299/2007.
Provision of important guidance note for electrical works associated with the
Better Energy Homes scheme jointly TC-2 / SEAI.
ETCI’s TC-2 technical committee announces the following Amendment No.
2.2 to the National Rules for Electrical Installations ET 101:2008
incorporating Amendment No.1:2011
TC-2 provided guidance on a technical submission from GMC Utilities, GMCT/S-001 in respect of four different scenarios in relation to the installation of
a Budget Controller used in the Prepaid Electricity market.
Review of S.I. 813:2014 in respect of Annex K – electrical considerations at
the request of TC-2 Gas technical committee (GTSC).
ETCI’s TC-2 Annual Report 2015
Page 2 of 8

Review of electrical considerations in respect of I.S. 813:2014:
- Electrical terminology.
- Permitted locations of appliances.
- Electrical considerations.
- Commissioning requirements.
- Meter installations.
- Table H.1 – Relationship of gas installation pipework in respect of
electricity.
- Equipotential bonding and earthing conductor sizes.
- Annex K
 Request by TC-10 for assistance with respect to re-viewing ET218:2010
Electricity in the Medical Workplace – An educational guide for users of
electrical equipment in medical practice.
 Request from Leitrim Fire Service, Fire Brigade HQ, in relation to a Tesla
Coil – response from TC-2 is shown below:
 TC-2 are concerned that the Tesla Coil which is operated at High Voltage
does not have any form of protective enclosure and consequently is a
potential electrical hazard which exposes the resident family and visitors
to a source of direct contact with a high voltage electrical hazard, which
is unacceptable.
Safety in respect of Tesla Coils can be accessed by clicking on the web-link below:
http://scipp.ucsc.edu/edu/tesla/teslacoil/safety.html

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TC-2 technical committee approved the appointment of a TC-2 committee
member to observer status, to sit on the Gas Technical Standards
Committee (GTSC). Mr. John Clare will represent TC-2 technical committee
on the GTSC.
TC-2 technical committee continue to provide guidance to members of the
public, registered electrical contractors, engineering consultants,
governments departments on a wide range of electrical technical issues
pertaining to ETCI’s National Rules for Electrical Installations – ET101:2008
and subsequent amendments.
1.3 CENELEC AND IEC TC64 DRAFTS DEALT WITH DURING 2015:
1.3.1 CENELEC DRAFTS
Documents
Vote / Comment
prHD 60364-7-708 Caravan Parks:
708.521.7.2
In Ireland, a minimum depth of 500 mm is required,
and 750mm where there is movement of heavy
vehicles.
prHD 60364-7-708 Caravan Parks:
In Ireland, the (conductors) shall be located at
a minimum distance of 2m outside the
boundary of any caravan pitch.
Commented on
document.
ETCI’s TC-2 Annual Report 2015
Commented on
document.
Page 3 of 8
1.3.1 CENELEC DRAFTS (cont’d)
Documents (Cont’d)
Vote / Comment
182
Commented on
document.
In Ireland, the following also applies:
Other socket-outlets complying with other national
standards may be installed, but only in addition to
the type specified above
1.3.2 IEC DRAFTS
Documents
Vote / Comment
64/1999/CD IEC 60364- 7-711:
Exhibitions, show and stands.
Noted
64/2001/CD: IEC 60364:
7-704 Construction and demolition sites
Noted
64/2003/CD: Chapter 41:
Protection against electric shock amendment
Noted
64/2012/DC: Part 7.701:
Bathrooms and showers.
Noted
64/2013/DC :
Part 44, clause 444: EMI
Noted
64/2020/DA: Draft Agenda for meeting in Yogyakarta
(Indonesia) 07-09.09.2015
Noted
64/2046/CD:
Chapter 57: Stationary secondary batteries.
Noted
64/2067/NP: Part 7xx:
DC distribution over IT Cable infrastructure.
Noted
64/2062/CD:
Part 721: Caravans and motor caravans.
Noted
ETCI’s TC-2 Annual Report 2015
Page 4 of 8
Documents (cont’d)
Vote / Comment
64/2080/CD: 708:
Caravan Parks, camping parks and similar locations.
Noted
64/2008/CDV Part 6:
Comment sent to
Secretary, this is a
parallel IEC
CENELEC voting
document.
64/CD : Chapter 56:
Safety services:
Comment table
sent to Secretary of
emergency lighting
committee.
IEC 64/2029/CDV:
Chapter 41
411.3.4 (351-353) Specifies RCD protection for
luminaire circuits.
Previously opposed
vote recorded
IEC 64/2060/CD: Section 708:
Caravan Parks, camping parks
Protection against Impact AG: IEC has AG3, ET 101
has AG2.
This proposal was
accepted.
IEC 64/2062: Section 721:
Caravans etc.
IEC 721.522.8.1.3: ET 101 has in addition: Wiring on
the underside of a caravan shall be protected against
mechanical damage by a suitable enclosure such as
conduit or trunking, or by mounting in slots or
recesses.
Comments
submitted.
1.3.3 SUMMARY
Documents
CENELEC
IEC
Noted
Commented
On
0
2
10
5
ETCI’s TC-2 Annual Report 2015
Voted On
CLC/IEC
(Parallel
Votes)
0
1
1
0
Total No.
Documents
3
16
Page 5 of 8
1.4 TECHNICAL QUERIES DEALT WITH DURING 2015:
Technical queries dealt with during 2015 by TC-2’s technical committee numbered 84 in
total. The source of queries is shown in Table No. 1.41 and in Table No. 1.42 below:
Source of Technical Queries
Trade Association
Public
Manufacturer
Insurance
HSE
Fire Officer
Educational
Distributor
County Council
Contractor
Consultant
Architect
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
Table No. 1.41
Source of Technical Queries
Trade Association
Public
Manufacturer
Insurance
HSE
Fire Officer
Educational
Distributor
County Council
Contractor
Consultant
Architect
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
50%
Table No. 1.42
The range of queries varied from technical questions relating to the following:
 interpretation of the National Rules for Electrical Installations – ET101
 certification of electrical installations,
 periodic inspections,
 equipotential bonding and earthing
 operation of protective devices, fuses, mcb’s, rcd’s isolators, disconnects etc.
 protection for safety
 selection of equipment
 requirements for special installations
 wiring systems.
ETCI’s TC-2 Annual Report 2015
Page 6 of 8
2
Membership 2015
List of members 2015:
Mr. D. O’Rourke, Chairman
Dr. K. Sunderland, Secretary
Mr. T. O’Doherty, Technical Advisor / Consultant
Mr. P. Delaney, HSA
Mr. N. Dunne, AEW,
Mr. G. Eastwood, IET Ireland Network
Mr. B. Clare, RECI
Mr. M. Keogh, EMDA,
Mr. M. McKenna, Enterprise Ireland and TC-14,
Mr. B. Moran, ECSSA,
Mr. M. Moran, ECA
Mr. F. Mahon, Consultant
Mr. C. Clarke, OPW
Mr. P. Dunne, Dublin City Council
Mr. V. Spain, FAS / SOLAS
Mr. B. Hickey, AECI
All consultants have previously served as representatives of member
organisations, and their services have been retained for the benefit of their
experience.
3
TC-2’s Involvement with Training During 2015
TC-2 is represented on the ETCI’s Training Committee by the Chairman
Mr. D. O’Rourke who was also involved together with Dr. K. Sunderland in the
provision of training for Industry for ETCI during 2015.
Members of TC-2 were involved in the provision of the following ETCI courses:
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Seminars on the National Rules for Electrical Installations – based on
ET101
Review of the National Rules for Electrical Installations – based on ET101
Basic electrical safety awareness course – based on ET213
Management of electrical safety at work – based on ET206
Electrical Engineering Systems Course – Jointly with Engineers Ireland
See web-link to training committee’s activities below:
http://www.etci.ie/training/courses.html
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TC-20 requested TC-2 to liaise in respect of technical inputs to bringing ET101 in
line with development in IEC 61851 and IEC 60364-7-722 – LV Installations
Supply of Electric Vehicles. TC-2 will support the setting up of a Sub-Group, a
Task-Group or a Working-Group to support the development of proposals to
consider what should be included in ET101 to address the advent of electrical
installations to electric vehicles requiring domestic and if appropriate on street
electrical installations and connections.
ETCI’s TC-2 Annual Report 2015
Page 7 of 8
4 ETCI Publications Developed by TC-2 During 2015
4.1
ET101: 2008 reprint
A reprint of ET 101: 2008 was published in September 2015, incorporating
Amendment No. 1 of 2011, technical decisions based on Amendment No. 2.1 and
Amendment No. 2.2. See web-links to Amendment 2.1 and 2.2 below:
http://www.etci.ie/technical/TC-2.html
4.2
TC-2’s response to CER
Detailed response to CER re non-DSO Completion Certificate (Certificate 3).
4.3
ET218: 2010 review
Mr. M. Keogh representative TC-2 is presently assisting with the review of ET218:2010 which
is an ETCI publication in respect of electricity in the medical workplace – an educational
guide for users of electrical equipment in medical practice. TC-10 are the technical expert
group responsible for the development and publication of this important guide.
4.4
TC-2’s presence on ETCI’s web-site
The Chairman, Mr. D. O’Rourke, expresses his grateful appreciation to Mr. Ken Lynch, a
member of ETCI’s TC-6 technical committee for his hard work and co-operation during the
year, for all his assistance in maintaining TC-2’s presence on ETCI’s web-site.
5 Programme for Coming Year
5.1 Domestic Issues
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Correct selection of RCDs
Isolation of solar PV installations.
Arc fault detection (AFDD) devices.
Power overvoltage protection (POP) devices to protect against loss of the
neutral conductor.
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Low smoke zero halogen (LSOH) cables.
Provision of service for interpretation of the rules when requested (excluding
certification, controlled works, restricted works and queries wrt registered electrical
contractors).
Development in respect of a new Completion Certificate for Existing Installations in
respect of a new amendment to the National Rules for Electrical Installations –
Amendment No. 2.3.

6 Acknowledgements
The Chairman, Mr. D. O’Rourke, expresses his grateful appreciation to the Secretary;
Dr. K. Sunderland, Technical Advisor and Consultant; Mr. Tony O’Doherty and TC-2 Committee
Members for their hard work and co-operation during the year, and to the ETCI’s Board of
Directors, ETCI’s Council members and Orla and Val ETCI’s administrative staff for their cooperation and for all their assistance during 2015.
ETCI’s TC-2 Annual Report 2015
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