9.

Construction sites and outdoor supplies

9.6.1

This Regulation applies to construction sites and other

permanent or temporary outdoor supplies such as
exhibitions, wedding tents, parks, gardens, etc.

9.6.2

Due to the additional risks of damage and interference to

outdoor installations the following precautions should be
catered for in the design and construction of such systems:
(a)

all cables which are not installed in conduit or trunking

must be armoured and adequately protected against
accidental or deliberate interference by persons, and
against the effects of weather;

(b)

outdoor Electrical Installations must have a

minimum ingress protection level of IP53 and
switchgear assemblies must comply with BS 4363 and
BS EN 60439-4;

(c)

cables passing on or over walkways and access roads

must be adequately enclosed to avoid Danger. Buried
cables must be installed so as to afford adequate
protection against damage, see Guidance Note G6;

(d)

particular attention should be given to the location,

signing and protection of equipment where the public
may have access, in particular children;

(e)

equipment should be located and adequate notices

displayed so that emergency disconnection of the
electricity supply can be effected without delay.
Locking arrangements should be such that these can
be removed in an emergency (e.g. panic bar or keys
available in break-out box);

(f)

the requirements for periodic inspection and testing

must be strictly complied with (Regulation 8.2); and

(g)

an Earth Leakage Protected System must be provided

in line with Regulation 5.4. In addition, outdoor

The Electricity Wiring Regulations 2007

Special Locations

[Note: type HO7 RN-F braided or armoured cables

complying with BS 6007 are recommended.]

91

socket-outlets must be provided with integral RCD

protection with a residual operating current of 30 mA
or less.
[Note: water coolers and drinking fountains must be
provided with individual RCD protection, in addition to
that provided at the Final Distribution Board.]

9.6.3

Consideration should be given to the use of a reduced

voltage supply (RLV) for portable tools where there is a
high exposure to potential damage, or where persons are
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other hazardous circumstances.
[Note: RLV may be preferred on construction sites compared
with supply by ELPS to avoid nuisance tripping and the potential
failure of RCDs in harsh outdoor environments.]

92

9.7

Street lighting

9.7.1

The detailed installation requirements for supplies to street

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9.7.2

Protection against electric shock for street lighting shall

be provided by either an Earth Leakage Protected System
(Regulation 5.4) or by an Earthed Equipotential Bonded
System (Regulation 5.5). In the latter case, the street light
column or other structure shall be connected to a means
of Earthing, which will normally be from the Distribution
Company supply cable.

9.7.3

Temporary supplies taken from street lights, such as for

decorative lighting or signboards, must be provided with
Earth Leakage Protection using RCDs of residual current
rating no greater than 30 mA where within reach of persons,
or 100 mA where not within reach of persons. Time
delayed devices may be used to avoid nuisance tripping.
Alternatively, such supplies may be provided by SELV or
RLV.

The Electricity Wiring Regulations 2007