Electrical Engineering in Scotland vs. United States

Do you want info on doing electrical work in Scotland, or do you need to know about the electrical standards of Scotland?

I just need to know about the electrical standards of Scotland and what are the differences between Scotland and United States?

I belive Scotland falls under the UK's electrical code. I do not know publication information maybe others could help.

you can check the BS (British Standards), NEC, IEEE, all these standards are nearly to be international but still it depends about what you are interested to know about specific issue.

This depends on the scale of the Power Systems Engineering work you are bidding for. The Institute of Electrical Engineers produces an IEE Wiring Regulation which covers installations in the UK, but you will also need info on various European Union directives such as EMC, RoHS, H&S, etc.

Your safest bet would be to buy a ticket to Scotland and liaise with a 'partner' in the country who can guide you through the regulations. You would be advised to check out the cost of local suppliers/accommodation and get a 'feel' for the area where the work will take place.

I'm sure your Company doesn't want to underestimate/underbid the cost of the work and as a Scottish resident I would like to see a good result from whatever tender you are after!

Tom, can you give me more info on the EU standards?

Thanks

The list of EU Standards and Directives is mind boggling as it covers virtually every thing that affects human existence - I'm not sure what you are involved with, but you can pick out the relevant subjects at:

For EMC you need Directive 2004/108/EC . For Machinery try 2006/42/EC . Low Voltage Directive is 2006/95/EC

The Regulations for Electrical Installations which I think is the equivalent of your NEC can be obtained from the Institute of Electrical Engineers or from 'Farnell-in-One(Newark-in-One). The Farnel stock No is 725-1397 IEE Wiring "16th Edition" Brown Copy 2004 @ £55

Hope this is some help - good luck!

Scotland is still part of the UK at the moment and uses either Existing British standards (BS****) of harmonized European standards (BS EN****).

All contractual work will refer to these standards, where available to cover these issues, failing that the next source of guidance would be a relevant Code of Practice.

Manufacturing work will require a CE mark as a measure of ensuring compliance.

Consumers electrical equipment connected direct to the distribution supply systems through the electricity companies require to be plated with a compliant voltage 230/400v, Frequent of 50 Hz and either the kW or KVA rating, or the maximum rated current at the specified voltage.

Non-Fixed equipment can, and is brought in from other European member states subject to the above information compliance, provided it has a relevant C E mark and complies with the exporting states own standard mark.

In electrical installations, all materials and fixed equipment which is hard wired to the installation must be BS or BS EN compliant as required by BS 7671.

The hierarchy for the safety and compliance in installations is

Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 (Health & safety at Work Act 1974)

BS 7671 IEE Wiring Regulations or HSE Guidance Notes

BS or BS EN BS or BS EN

Manufacturers Instructions Manufacturers instructions

Code of Practice Code of practice

While other means of compliance with EAWR 1989 are undoubtedly possible, the only stated means of defence against prosecution under these regulations is compliance with BS 7671, therefore an alternative path would have to equal or exceed the standards set by BS 7671.

BS 7671 itself requires that all material and equipment used in fixed installations in the UK are compliant to BS or BS EN

The BS EN means that the BS has achieved compliance with the EN European Norme with other member states having only the EN prefix for their materials.

NEC standard equipment therefore would not be acceptable for consumers electrical installations.

While US standards are mostly to be equal to, or exceed the BS(EN), I am not aware of an accreditation path throughout European standards.

Many countries materials are multi-denominational and some carry a range of different countries standards marks in order to be compliant in a number of countries.

But to answer your question directly the power industries power systems are excluded from BS 7671 and require compliance with EWAR 1989 directly. In terms of power system distribution I suspect voltage and frequency difference would be an issue and again European compliance would be a high priority requirement. I know however that NEC standards equipment is used in power stations particularly the nuclear ones.

After reading over all this, I am sure that none of it will be any help to you at all!.

Thanks for the information and assistance.

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If anyone else has any more experience with the BS EN standards I would appreciate further discussion.

Do not forget EN 60204 all parts