EV
FOLLOWING THE UPDATE IN EV CHARGING EQUIPMENT INSTALLATION ON THE AMENDED 18TH EDITION IET WIRING REGULATIONS, THE IET IS PREPARING A SPECIFICATION FOR AN OPEN PEN DETECTION DEVICE TO ENSURE INSTALLERS’ SAFETY… More changes underway for EV charging equipment legislation
T he amended 18th Edition of the IET Wiring Regulations, BS 7671, published jointly by the British Standards Institution (BSI) and The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) was put into practice last year to reflect changes in a series of requirements, including one of the top issues in the industry’s agenda: electrical vehicle charging equipment installations in NI and GB. “The reason for the amendment was that the industry’s technology was moving faster than the installation standard, and this was hampering the overall number of charge point installations,” commented Mark Coles, Head of Technical Regulations at the IET. One of new requirements outlines the use of Protective Multiple Earthing (PME). Section 722 of BS 7671 permits the use of a device (or means of functionality) that electrically disconnects the vehicle from the live conductors of the supply and from protective earth, accordingly, in case there is an open protective earthed neutral (PEN) incidence. A PEN is a
single conductor that has the combined function of providing the neutral and protective earth conductor in a multiple protective earthing arrangement. “An open PEN incidence, of course, can lead to a dangerous potential appearing between true Earth (the ground that you walk on) and the metallic body (exposed- conductive-part) of the vehicle on charge,” Mark explained. Fortunately, manufacturers were quick to respond and implemented ‘open PEN detection’ functionality within their charging equipment. However, not all of them incorporated this functionality in the same way, as Mark commented, “For example, as some charge points needed an earth electrode for the functionality to work, some manufacturers claimed compliance with BS EN 61008 (RCDs) without providing a test button, so the waters became a bit muddied. Furthermore, some manufacturers added extra functionality and it got to the point where it wasn’t clear to installers looking to purchase a charge point which product would be suitable in which environment.” To avoid confusion and ensure installers’
and users’ safety, the IET has set up a committee to prepare a specification for an Open PEN Detection Device (OPDD). “If all manufacturers of EV charge points manufacture their equipment to meet the requirements of the OPDD specification, then the installer can choose any charge point knowing it would be suitable in any application,” Mark explained. The OPDD committee has representatives from several sectors, including public safety, distribution network operators (DNOs), competent person scheme providers, member institutions, insurers, manufacturers, contractors and installers and trade bodies. A draft for public comment (DPC) of the OPDD specification is expected to be circulated in Spring 2023.
The Institution of Engineering and Technology – IET T: +44 (0)1438 313311 E: postmaster@theiet.org www.theiet.org
50 | IRELAND’S ELECTRICAL MAGAZINE
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