What is BS EN 50110-1 - Operation of electrical installations about?
BS EN 50110-1 outlines the requirements for the safe operation of, and work activity on, electrical installations. It addresses both permanent and temporary installations, including mobile ones, such as those on construction sites or electrically driven machines in industrial settings.
The document encompasses operational, working, and maintenance procedures, emphasizing safety in scenarios where there is a risk of electrical danger.
Who is BS EN 50110-1 - Operation of electrical installations for?
This document has not been developed specifically to apply to the electrical installations listed below. However, if there are no other rules or procedures, the principles of this document could be applied to them:
- on any aircraft and hovercraft moving under its own power, (these are subject to International Aviation laws which take precedence over national laws in these situations),
- on any sea going ship moving under its own power, or under the direction of the master, (these are subject to International Marine laws which take precedence over national laws in these situations),
- electronic telecommunications and information systems,
- electronic instrumentation, control and automation systems,
- at coal or other mines,
- on off-shore installations subject to International Marine laws,
- on vehicles,
- on electric traction systems,
- on experimental electrical research work.
What does BS EN 50110-1 - Operation of electrical installations cover?
It sets out requirements for the safe operation of and work activity on, with, or near electrical installations. The requirements apply to all operational, working and maintenance procedures. They apply to all non-electrical work such as building work near to overhead lines or underground cables as well as electrical work when there is a risk of electrical danger.
BS EN 50110-1:2023 applies to all operation of, and work activity on, with or near electrical installations operation at voltage levels from and including extra-low voltage up to and including high voltage, including levels commonly referred to as medium and extra-high voltage.
These electrical installations are designed for the generation, transmission, conversion, distribution and use of electrical power.
Some of these electrical installations are permanent and fixed, such as a distribution installation in a factory or office complex. Others are temporary, such as on construction sites. Others are mobile or capable of being moved either while energised or while not energised nor charged.
NOTE: BS EN 50110-1:2023 does not apply to ordinary persons when using installations and equipment, provided that the installations and equipment comply with relevant standards and are designed and installed for use by ordinary persons.
Why should you use BS EN 50110-1 - Operation of electrical installations?
- BS EN 50110-1:2023 sets out safety procedures and practices that help prevent accidents and electrical hazards. It ensures that electrical systems are installed, operated, maintained, and tested in a safe manner, reducing the risk of injuries and fatalities.
- By using the standard, individuals and organizations can demonstrate compliance with relevant safety requirements.
- Quality and efficiency. By adopting the standard’s guidance on installation, use and maintenance procedures, it can help deliver top quality installations that are very reliable, plus the works will be well-organized and efficient.
- Risk mitigation. Developed by international experts, these guidelines reflect the latest best practice. Properly applied, BS EN 50110-1:2023 can mitigate the inherent risks to people, property and the environment of electrical systems.
- By adopting BS EN 50110-1:2023 businesses can demonstrate their commitment to safety and responsible practices, which can boost the confidence of employees, customers, and the general public in the safety of the electrical installations.
- The 2023 revisions to the standard have emphasized the need to ensure that the document can be clearly understood by users to ensure that workers’ safety is increased.
BS EN 50110-1:2023 contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 on good health and well-being, Goal 7 on affordable and clean energy, Goal 8 on decent work and economic growth, Goal 9 on industry, innovation and infrastructure, Goal 11 on sustainable cities and communities and Goal 12 on responsible consumption and production.
What’s new about BS EN 50110-1:2023?
This document replaces BS EN 50110-1:2013. BS EN 50110-1:2023 includes the following significant technical and editorial changes:
- simplification of the terms concerning the definitions of persons responsible and level of responsibility
- improvement of terms and definitions of Clause 3
- introduction and clarification of supervision
- improvement of structure of Clause 5 “Operational procedures”
- improvement of 6.1.1 – general requirement for working procedures
- improvement of 6.2 – dead working
- improvement of 6.3 – live working
- improvement of 6.4 – Working within the vicinity zone
- improvement of 6.5 – Working outside the vicinity zone
- Transfer of Table A.1 from informative Annex A into normative subclause 4.11.2 as Table 1
- adjunction of Clause A.4 Ergonomic considerations
- introduction of alphabetic list of defined terms
update of the normative references and of the bibliography.
