All Powerplan products are manufactured to comply with Section 607, utilizing as a minimum a 4mm² protective conductor within a flexible conduit. Whenever a ring circuit is installed or extended, Section 607 rules should be applied if there is any expectation that it will be used to power IT or similar equipment. If a circuit is being modified, the existing part of the installation should be checked for compliance – dual earth sockets, no spurs and separate terminations at the consumer unit – and brought into line if necessary. Finally, when testing is carried out, the earth loop continuity must always be checked.

An installation complying with BS 6396 “Electrical Systems in Office Furniture and Office Screens“ can not meet the requirements to comply with Section 607 of the Wiring Regulations and should not be confused with this. BS 6396 gives guidance on the maximum number and fuse rating of the socket outlets that can be plugged into the fixed wiring of a permanent installation by a BS1363 fused plug to a Ring or Radial socket outlet circuit. As stated in Section 607-02-01:

“The exception to the requirements of regulation 607-03-01, no special precaution is necessary for equipment having a protective conductor current not exceeding 3.5mA”.

Therefore a circuit utilizing a standard BS1363 plug top as its supply must not exceed a 3.5mA Protective Earth Conductor Current.

If further assistance is required, please contact Powerplan technical department or your area sales manager: