Electro - Technical Council of Ireland
- the Irish Member of CENELEC, IEC and ISSA
NewsLetter
ISSUE 11. JULY 2009
CER - ETCI Memorandum of Understanding
On 6th April 2009 ETCI signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with the Commission of Energy
Regulation (CER).
The MoU acknowledges the functions of each
organisation towards the development and operation of
the current certification system and the promotion of
safety in electrical equipment and installations.
The MoU ensures the co-ordination and synergy in CER’s
and ETCI’s activities towards protecting public safety
with respect to electrical installation works.
Seated are Gerard Buckley (Chairman ETCI) and
Tom Reeves (Commissioner for Energy Regulation) at the
signing of the CER-ETCI MoU, with
Patrick Hession (Chief Executive Officer ETCI) and Karen
Trant (Manager – Regulation of Electrical Safety, CER).
Presence of Sub-standard
Cables on Irish Market
To address the problem of sub-standard electrical cable on the Irish market, ETCI
invited Dr. Jeremy Hodge, Chief Executive, British Approval Services for Cables
(BASEC), to address its Annual Workshop on sub-standard cables. During his
presentation, Dr. Hodge cited the skimming of copper, poor markings, thin insulation,
poor cured polymer, aluminium conductors and unsuitable armour as some of the
problems that lead to inferior cables getting into the marketplace.
The Low Voltage Directive, implemented in Ireland as S.I. No.299:2007, lays down
the criteria for the safety of electrical equipment up to 1,000 Volts rating. Compliance
with the Directive is achieved by complying with the harmonised standards of the
member countries of the European Union or, in special cases, similar means giving an
equivalent safety level.
In the case of electric cables, most European countries (except Ireland) have testing
and certification procedures to ensure that the cables are up to standard, and a special
marking is used to identify such cables, issued, for example, by BASEC in the UK,
OVE in Austria, and VDE in Germany.
BASEC provides product certification services to the Irish cable manufacturers. Dr.
Hodge has offered to assist Irish electrical contractors and wholesalers regarding the
problem of sub-standard cables.
Further information can be found by visiting the ETCI website, www.etci.ie, or by
visiting the BASEC website, www.basec.org.uk.
Fourth Edition
Seminars in October
ETCI ran a series of very successful seminars
throughout Ireland on the new Fourth Edition of
the National Rules for Electrical Installations in
February and March (see page 2).
Since the seminars, ETCI has received queries
about future seminars on the new Rules. Because
of the demand from people who are disappointed
in having missed these seminars, ETCI has
decided to hold four more seminars later this
year.
These will be held in Dublin (14th October),
Limerick (21st October), Dundalk (22nd
October), and Cork (28th October). The selection
of these dates is significant as 1st October
2009 is the date when new installations can no
longer be constructed to the Third Edition. New
installations must be constructed in accordance
with the Fourth Edition with effect from 1st
October 2009.
Further information on these seminars can be
founded on the ETCI website (www.etci.ie).
TC6 to Host International Meeting in Dublin
ETCI’s Technical Committee 6 (Equipment
for Potentially Explosive Atmospheres) is to
host the joint CENELEC TC31/CEN TC305
meeting in Dublin next October.
relating to equipment for use where there
is a hazard due to the possible presence of
explosive atmospheres of gases, vapours,
mists or combustible dusts.
CENELEC TC31 and CEN TC305 are both
involved in the development of standards
As part of TC6’s contribution to the
international standardisation endeavour, the
ETCI, in close co-operation with NSAI (www.
nsai.ie), will host the international committee
meetings of IEC TC31 and CEN TC305.
The meetings will take place on 29th and
30th October 2009 in the Engineers Ireland
conference facilities at Clyde Road, Dublin 4
(www.engineersireland.ie).
ETCI NewsLetter
July 2009
ETCI Seminars on New Wiring Rules
At the launch of the ETCI National Rules for Electrical Installations, Fourth Edition on 9th December 2008 were Tony O’Doherty (Secretary
TC2), Wilf Higgins (TC10), Gerard Buckley (ETCI Chairman), Jim Keogh (Chairman TC2), Billy Kelleher T.D. (Minister for Labour Affairs),
Charlie O’Neill (TC10), Conal McConnell (TC2) and Paddy Thunder (TC2).
During last February and March, ETCI ran a
series of very successful seminars throughout
Ireland on the new Fourth Edition of the
National Rules for Electrical Installations, also
known as the National Wiring Rules. These
seminars were held in Dublin, Kilkenny, Cork,
Galway, Mullingar and Carrickmacross.
The objective of the seminars was to introduce
and to give an overview of the Fourth Edition.
Topics discussed at the seminars included:
• the new restructuring of the Rules,
• new sections not previously covered, such
as marinas, amusement parks, photoelectric
equipment and extra-low voltage
equipment,
• changes in the Rules due to new
developments in types of equipment, work
practices and building practices, and
• changes and additions to the certification
process.
The make up of those who attended the
seminars was: electrical contractors (40%),
electricians (35%), consulting engineers (7%)
and other classifications (18%). The ‘other
classifications’ included representatives
from project management companies, local
authorities, educational establishments, FAS,
industry facilities management, HSA, HSE,
and the insurance industry.
From ETCI’s analysis of seminar survey
results, it is evident that the vast majority of
attendees were very satisfied with the content,
the structure and the delivery of the seminar.
Below are some of the comments made by
those who attended the seminar:
“Overall the seminar was well organised and
worthwhile. The four presentations were to
the point and educational. I found the question
and answer sessions very beneficial because
they gave the participants the opportunity to
clarify any matters arising.”
(Pat Kearney, Electrical Instructor, FÁS
Ballyfermot).
“A number of Dublin City Council staff
recently attended the briefing seminars run by
ETCI on the new edition of ET101. The staff
found the seminars extremely useful and the
changes from the previous edition were clearly
explained and illustrated by the presenters.
The seminars proved to be a cost effective
way of bringing staff up to speed on the new
edition as opposed to leaving staff to read
through the new edition by themselves.”
(Pat Caden, Senior Engineer, Dublin City
Council)
“A number of technical staff from Webprint
attended the recent ETCI workshop on the
National Rules for Electrical Installations,
ET101:2008. This workshop was very
worthwhile in terms of getting to grips with
the changes that this new publication has
brought about. The workshop was very
informative and it afforded the perfect
platform to partake in an interactive discussion
on the implications for industry of the new
Rules.”
(Eric Bergin, Engineering Manager,
Webprint Concepts Ltd., Cork)
“The presenters were very good and very
knowledgeable, with excellent presentations
that were accompanied by a clear PowerPoint
presentation. The Q&A session was very
informative – any grey areas concerning
queries on the implementation of the new rules
were dealt with.”
(Edward Heazle, Electrical Contractor,
Waterford)
ETCI Guide for Users of Electrical Equipment
in Medical Practice
ETCI’s TC10 (Electrical Equipment
in Medical Practice) has produced an
educational Guide for users of electrical
equipment in medical practice.
This booklet is intended to raise awareness
of electricity in the medical workplace. It
discusses electricity as it affects the human
body, referring to beneficial aspects as well as
not so beneficial aspects. The Guide explores
electricity and its usage in the medical
workplace and looks at important aspects of
electrical equipment in medical practice.
Tips and guidelines for users of electrical
equipment in medical practice are offered.
Nurses, allied health professionals, doctors
and consultants will find this booklet useful
and informative.
Further information is available from ETCI
Offices or the ETCI website.
July 2009
ETCI NewsLetter
2008 ETCI Electrical Apprentice Awards
Billy Kelleher T.D., Minister for Labour Affairs, presented the 2008
ETCI Apprentice Awards during the ETCI Annual Dinner at the
Davenport Hotel, Dublin, on 9th December last.
safety, to recognise the achievements of Ireland’s top electrical
apprentices and to strengthen ETCI’s links with the Electrotechnical
Education Centres.
The Awards were presented to Thomas Sheridan, Roundstone, Co.
Galway, in the Electrical Commercial Installation Category and to
Martin Smith, Kingscourt, Co. Cavan, in the Electrical Industrial
Installation Category.
ETCI is most appreciative and grateful for the kind support that it
receives from Kevin O’Reilly, Electrofast, and from Paul Sharkey,
Instrument Technology, for donating the prizes. Electrofast and
Instrument Technology have donated prizes each year for the Awards
since they were first started in 1994.
The purpose of the Awards is to foster a greater awareness of electrical
Billy Kelleher T.D. (Minister for Labour Affairs), Paul Sharkey
(Managing Director, Instrument Technology) and John Sheridan,
representing his brother Thomas, winner of the Electrical Commercial Installation Category Award.
Billy Kelleher T.D. (Minister for Labour Affairs), Kevin O’Reilly
(Chairman and Chief Executive of Excel Electric Group) and
Philip Smith at the presentation of the ETCI 2008 Electrical
Apprentice Awards. Mr. Smith accepted the Electrical Industrial
Installation Category Award on behalf of his son, Martin.
TC6 Updating ET 105:2001
ETCI TC 6, the Technical Committee responsible for equipment and installations
within potentially explosive atmospheres, continues its work developing, reviewing
and voting on international (TC31) and European (CENELEC TC31) standards.
Currently the Committee, via a small Cork-based Task Group, is revising ET
105:2001 the National Rules for Electrical Installations in Potentially Explosive
Atmospheres. The new ET 105 Installation Rules will incorporate elements of ET
202:2001 and ET 209:2003 (Guide to the Selection of Electrical Apparatus for use in
Potentially Explosive Atmospheres and Recommended Maintenance and Inspection
Routine, respectively), together with requirements of the ATEX Directive and will
be aligned with the international IEC installation requirements (IEC60079-14).
The revised ET 105 will also include details of the Explosion Protection Levels
(EPLs) that are now incorporated into all IEC Hazardous Area Equipment standards.
These EPLs introduce a risk-based approach to the selection of equipment for
hazardous areas.
Publication of ET105 is due towards the end of the year or early 2010, and any
specific comments on the existing ET 105, ET 202 or ET 209 would be welcome.
Training continues to be an important part of the ETCI remit and members of TC6
have developed and presented a number of sessions of the ETCI ‘Foundation Course
in Hazardous Areas’. The next course has not been scheduled as yet, but is expected
to take place mid 2010.
The Committee is actively involved in the generation and review of international
standards associated with ATEX Certified equipment and Potentially Explosive
Atmospheres. Standards are generally subject to a maintenance cycle that requires
that they be reviewed on a regular basis. In addition, equipment standards for dusts
and gases, which were separate documents, have generally been incorporated into
single publications under the IEC / EN60079 series and a Group for dusts (Group
III) is progressively being introduced into the standards.
International
Meeting in Dublin
Hosted by ETCI
ETCI’s TC15 (Human Exposure to EMF)
recently hosted the CENELEC TC106X
annual plenary meeting. TC106X is
responsible for preparing standards on
measurement and calculation methods
to assess human exposure to electric,
magnetic and electromagnetic fields.
The task includes the characterisation of
the electromagnetic environments with
regard to human exposure. It covers the
whole frequency range from 0 Hz to
300 GHz. It applies to basic restrictions
and reference levels. Excluded is the
establishment of exposure limits.
There were 25 attendees from around
Europe. TC15 is grateful to ESBI
for hosting the meeting at the ESB
headquarters on Lower Fitzwilliam
Street, Dublin, which proved to be an
excellent venue.
July 2009
ETCI NewsLetter
TC12 on International Standardisation
ETCI TC12 provides a focal point for participation in international
standardisation in the field of electronic communications systems. The
Committee is responsible for standardisation covering a formidable
range of products including coaxial cables, waveguides, RF connectors,
fibre optic cables and systems and audio, visual and multimedia
equipment. The primary IEC Technical Committees that TC12
monitors are TC46, TC86 and TC100 together with their various SubCommittees.
TC12 is a relatively small Committee and it is a real challenge to do
justice to the range and quantity of technical documents issued by IEC.
To break the task down to more manageable proportions, individual
committee members undertake to monitor specific aspects of the
technology most relevant to their expertise and interest.
Arguably, some of the most interesting work being undertaken in IEC
today is being conducted in TC100 (Audio, video and multimedia
systems and equipment). The work of TC100 currently covers 10 main
Technical Areas (TA) as follows:
• TA1 Terminals for audio, video and data services
• TA2 Colour measurement and management
• TA4 Digital system interfaces and protocols
• TA5 Cable networks for television signals, sound signals and
interactive services
• TA6 Professional electronics storage media, data structures and
equipment
• TA7 Consumer electronics storage media, data structure and
equipment
• TA8 Multimedia home server systems
• TA9 Audio, video and multimedia applications for end-user
network
• TA10 Multimedia e-publishing and e-book
• TA11 Quality for audio, video and multimedia systems
Recent important standards published by TC100 include IEC 62087
Edition 2 (Methods of measurement for the power consumption of
audio, video and related equipment) and IEC 62216 Edition 1 (Digital
terrestrial television receivers for the DVB-T system).
Further information on TC100 may be obtained via the excellent
dedicated website at http://tc100.iec.ch while the standards output of all
the IEC TCs in which TC12 participates can be monitored via the IEC
RSS feeds.
The Chairman of TC12 is Paddy Fitzsimons of Philips Electronics Ltd.,
while the Secretary is Brian Abbott, NSAI. The committee is currently
seeking new members and interested parties are invited to contact the
Secretary directly.
ETCI 2008 Workshop
ETCI held a very successful
workshop in the Davenport
Hotel, Dublin, on 9th
December last. The audience of
approximately 80 represented all
sectors of the electrotechnical
industry in Ireland. The MC
for the workshop was the ETCI
Vice-Chairman, Michael Hanly,
who introduced the following
speakers:
Eamon O’Flynn (Chairman,
ETCI Safety Committee, TC5).
His presentation on TC5’s annual
report for 2008 included the
committee’s ongoing proactive
promotion of safety awareness,
its input to safety legislation, its
new publications and training
courses on electrical safety and
its analysis of fatalities and
potentially fatal injuries and near
misses caused by electricity.
Tony O’Doherty (Secretary,
ETCI TC2 – Wiring Rules
Committee) who introduced the
new Wiring Rules – the Fourth
Edition to the National Rules for
Electrical Installations. During
this presentation reference was
made to the new restructuring of
the Rules, the technical changes
resulting from decisions at
CENELEC and IEC level, new
sections of the Rules for areas
not previously covered, and
changes and additions to the
certification process.
Karen Trant (Manager
– Regulation of Electrical
Safety, Commission for Energy
Regulation) whose presentation
included a progress report on the
implementation of the electrical
safety provisions of the Energy
(Miscellaneous Provisions) Act
2006.
Gerard Buckley (Chairman
ETCI) who spoke on ETCI’s
Three-Year Plan for the years
2009 to 2011. His presentation
concentrated on initiatives and
developments in the promotion
of electrical safety and the
development of electrotechnical
standards and also focused on
ensuring the continual operation
of ETCI through the recessionary
times that exist at present.
The speakers at the 2008 ETCI Workshop: Gerard Buckley (Chairman
ETCI), Dr. Jeremy Hodge (Chief Executive BASEK (UK)), Karen Trant
(Manager – Regulation of Electrical Safety, CER), Eamon O’Flynn
(Chairman ETCI Safety Committee, TC5) and Tony O’Doherty
(Secretary ETCI TC2).
Dr. Jeremy Hodge (Chief
Executive, BASEC (UK)). Dr.
Hodge’s presentation was eagerly
awaited by the Irish electrical
industry as it addressed the very
serious situation of sub-standard
cable in the Irish market. Full
details of the presentation and
possible solutions can be viewed
on ETCI’s website at www.etci.
ie/news/substdcables(2008).htm.
Dr. Jeremy Hodge, Chief Executive, British Approvals Service for Cables (BASEC), addresses the ETCI
Annual Workshop on the problems associated with sub-standard cables currently on the Irish market. A full
report of Dr. Hodge’s presentation can be viewed on the ETCI website (www.etci.ie).
ETCI NewsLetter
July 2009
CER Develops Common Procedures
With the advent of a new regulatory safety
system for the regulation of Registered
Electrical Contractors (RECs), the
Commission for Energy Regulation’s recent
focus regarding electrical safety has shifted
towards facilitating the operation of the
Regulatory System through the development
of:
• Common Procedures
• Performance Monitoring Framework for
Safety Supervisory Bodies (SSBs)
•
Promotion and awareness campaign.
Common Procedures
In April 2008, the Commission published a
Criteria Document, which detailed the rules
and obligations for parties operating within
the regulatory safety regime. However,
processes for dealing with Certification,
Third Party Inspections, Change of
Contractor, Transfer of Registration,
Enforcement and Modifications were not
finalised within the Criteria Document.
Consequently, the Commission confirmed
that it would develop a set of Common
Procedures, in consultation with ETCI, ESB
Networks and the respective SSBs, which
when finalised would constitute a part of the
Criteria Document.
The Commission is at the latter stages of
finalising the Common Procedures, which
are currently undergoing a legal review. A
summary of them is as follows:
• Certification: The Certification System
is essential for the development of the
Regulatory System, as it provides a link
from the work carried out by the REC
for a customer to the Regulatory System.
The certifying of ‘Controlled Works’ will
provide the customer with assurance that
the work carried out is compliant with
the Technical Rules. The Certification
Procedure common to both SSBs will
also address the types and formats of
Certificates to be used. Additionally,
the responsibilities for preparing a valid
Certificate, and the procedures to be used
by the RECs, the SSBs, ESB Networks
and the ETCI in managing, operating and
interacting with the Certification System
is also specified within the Common
Procedure.
• Third Party Inspection: The provision
of the Third Party Inspection service is
designed to facilitate the Certification of
Controlled Works carried out by NonRegistered Electrical Contractors (RECs).
Under this Common Procedure, a person
who requests Controlled Works to be
carried out by a Non-REC is obliged to
request that the SSB arrange for a Third
Party Inspection of the Controlled Work.
On receipt of a completed application
form and fee, the SSB shall assign an
Inspector to carry out the Third Party
Inspection. The Inspector shall meet
on the site of the Controlled Work
with the Non-REC, verify completed
documentation, witness the Non-REC
carry out a range of pre-connection
tests and countersign the appropriate
Certificate, provided the Controlled
Work complies with the Technical Rules.
In the case where a new connection or
reconnection to the network is involved,
the Inspector will arrange to witness the
post connection tests.
• Change of Contractor: A Change of
Contractor event refers to a situation
whereby a customer requires another
contractor to complete and/or certify an
electrical installation, which was partially
or totally completed by a different
contractor. Consequently, in the event
of a Change of Contractor, a person
is required to seek approval from the
SSB (of which the nominated REC is a
member). However, the nominated REC
shall not commence the Controlled Works
until the SSB approves the Change of
Contractor Application and the Customer
receives the Change of Contractor
Approval.
• Transfer of Registration: The Transfer
of Registration Common Procedure
is concerned with the process for the
transfer of the registration of an REC
from one SSB to another. It includes
measures to deal with SSBs sharing
information on the REC and steps to
ensure that the disciplinary record of the
REC will be maintained.
• Enforcement: The Commission aims
to ensure compliance with electrical
safety standards through education
and promotion. However, in the event
of non-compliance, the Commission,
in conjunction with the relevant
stakeholders, has developed a Common
Procedure on Enforcement. The Common
Procedure on Enforcement addresses the
role of various parties in achieving the
relevant safety standards including the
SSBs, the REC, ESB Networks and the
customer. The customer has a key role in
Enforcement, as he/she is responsible for
the electrical installation associated with
the connection point and adhering to ESB
Networks conditions of connection.
• Modifications: The Modifications
Common Procedure is concerned with
the process of making amendments
to the Criteria Document through a
Modifications Committee. The document
provides a term of reference for the
Modifications Committee, and clarifies
the process for appointing a Chairperson,
Committee Secretary and inviting
members to the Committee. Additionally,
the document addresses the frequency of
meetings, and the process for submitting
and evaluating a Modifications proposal.
Performance Monitoring
The Commission is currently working
towards the establishment of a Key
Performance Indicator (KPI) reporting
framework, and will be in discussions with
the SSBs regarding the development of KPIs
for the first six months of 2009. The rationale
behind the development of a reporting
framework is to enable the Commission
evaluate the performance of the SSBs with
respect to electrical safety and the cost of
providing this service.
Promotion and Awareness
With reference to the promotion of the
new Regulatory Model, the Commission
is committed to the development of a
new enduring safety brand for Registered
Electrical Contractors (RECs). The
brand/logo will be the sole property of
the Commission, and only RECs will be
entitled to display the brand/logo or make
reference to registration on stationary or
electronic media. The Commission has been
in discussions with the SSBs regarding
the design of the brand/logo, and will be
publishing the brand/logo and a guidelines
document within the coming months.
Summary
The publication of the Common Procedure
documents will be a key milestone in the
Commission’s strategy for the regulation of
electrical contractors with respect to safety,
as it provides a succinct and transparent
process for the operation of the Regulatory
System on a daily basis. Additionally, the
development of a Performance Monitoring
Framework will ensure that the SSBs are
adhering to their Core Activities, while the
design of a brand/logo for RECs will raise
public awareness and the importance of
electrical safety.
ETCI NewsLetter
ETCI Revises
Guide on
Management
of Electrical Safety
at Work
July 2009
Inaugural Keane Harley Award
ETCI Safety Committee, TC5, has revised
its Good Practice Guide on the Management
of Electrical Safety at Work (ET206). In
undertaking the preparation and updating of
this Guide, TC5 was conscious of the safety
responsibilities placed on employers by the
Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005
and the General Application Regulations
2007.
This Guide is particularly aimed at managers
who may not be technically qualified in
the electrical sense but who, nevertheless,
within their wider legal responsibility for
safety, health and welfare at work, are also
responsible for electrical safety.
The Guide is primarily a management guide
aimed at employers, their employees and
their management teams. It gives guidance
on what is good practice in the management
of electrical safety in the workplace. The
publication can be purchased from ETCI
Offices or online at www.etci.ie.
ETCI is in the final stages of developing a
training course based on the new Guide. This
will be available for on-site locations or offsite in a location organised by ETCI. Further
details are available from ETCI Offices.
Lyn Harley on the occasion of the inaugural presentation of the Keane Harley
Memorial Award to Philip Smith during the ETCI Annual Dinner at the
Davenport Hotel, Dublin, on 9th December 2008. Mr. Smith accepted the
Award on behalf of his son, Martin Smith, who won the Award in the
Electrical Industrial Installation Category.
Electro-Technical Council of Ireland Ltd
Unit H12, Centrepoint Business Park,
Oak Road, Dublin 12.
Tel: 01 429 0088 Fax: 01 429 0090
Directions to the office can be accessed on www.etci.ie