The New Code of Practice for the Electricity (Wiring)

Regulations

To provide general technical

guidelines

Satisfying the relevant provisions of

the E(W)R

Before Enactment of E.O.

IEE Wiring Regulations (U.K.)

Supply Rules (H.K.)

 More embracing and systematic regulatory

framework for the electrical industry

1st edition - 1992

2nd edition - 1997
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Readers

Registered Electrical Contractors (REC)

Registered Electrical Workers (REW)

Professionals

CoP Policy

Review regularly

Keep pace with technological advancement

Reference to most updated international standards

Revision Process
Invite comments

Feedback
Working group
Meeting

10/01

12/01
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2/02

3/02

4/02

6/02

7/02

11/02

12/02

3/03

7/03

6/03

12/03

Working Group Members

Government Departments

Academic Institutions

Power Companies

Professional Institutions

Consultant/ Contractor Associations & Worker Union

Discussion and Revisions:

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More than 220 items discussed

Over 60 revisions accepted

Revisions:
Reference to International Standards

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Reference to latest IEC standards ( e.g. IEC 60364)

Include the National Standard in Mainland China (Guo Biao, e.g.GB 16895)

Revisions agreed by Working Group

Effective Date:

Immediate

Installation comply with CoP (1997 edition) is deemed to have met the
Wiring Regulations if
-

completed and connected to electricity supply before 1 January 2006;

1997 edition

1997 / 2003 edition

1.1.2004

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2003 edition
1.1.2006

Revisions:
Code 2 - Definitions

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Overhead lines

Restrictive conductive location

Protective extra-low voltage (PELV)

Revisions:
Code 4A - Updated the List of Recognized Bodies

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HKASs recognized organizations

Include Mainlands accreditation body

Revisions:
Code 4A - Updated the List of Recognized Bodies

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Revisions:
Code 4D(3) - Inspection and Testing

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power factor requirement

general assessment

Revisions:
Code 4I - General Safety Practices

Check before Act

Isolate and Lockout

De-energize

Others

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Revisions:
Code 6B - Basic Requirements of Circuits

interconnection facilities should be provided if requested by power

company

Code 6E - Final circuits using 13A socket outlets

Connection arrangement for shaver supply unit

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Revisions:
Code 8A - Provision of isolation and switching

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Isolation requirement for exhaust fans having rated power not exceeding
50W

Revisions:
Code 8B - Requirements of isolation and switching devices

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Isolation - clearly and reliably indicated by off or open marking.

Emergency stop push button should not be used for isolation.

Revisions:

Code 9B - Relation between circuit conductors and overcurrent protective devices

are of the same construction, material and cross-sectional area, and are
approximately the same length, and appropriate phase disposition;

Table 9(4)

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- Classification of MCB to IEC 60898

Type

Instantaneously Tripping Current

B
C
D

3 In < I 5 In
5 In < I 10 In
10 In < I 20 In

Revisions:
Code 14B Steel conduit system

comply with BS4568, BS EN 60423, BS EN 50086, IEC60423, IEC60614-1or

equivalent.

Code 14C Steel trunking system

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Metallic trunkings having nominal size differing from the table but complying
with IEC 61084 or equivalent are also acceptable .

Revisions:
Code 15E Impact

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concealed bonding conductor should run within 150mm of angle formed by

wall/partition

short PVC concealed conduit within 150mm of angle formed by wall/ partition =>
25mm depth

Revisions:
Code 21B(2) Sequence of tests
(i) continuity of protective conductors, including main and supplementary equipotential bonding,
(ii) continuity of ring final circuit conductors,
(iii) insulation resistance,
(iv) polarity,
(v) earth electrode resistance,
(vi) earth fault loop impedance,
(vii) functions of all protective devices,
(viii) functions of all items of equipment.

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Revisions:
Code 21B(5) Earth electrode resistance

alternative method for measuring the earth electrode resistance by loop

impedance tester

Code 21B(6) Insulation resistance

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testing for voltage sensitive devices

Revisions:
Code 21B(9) Testing of RCD

general purpose RCD or RCBO:

- leakage current = 50% of the rated tripping current of the RCD, the device
should not open;
- leakage current = 100% of the rated tripping current of the RCD, the device
should open in less than 300 ms.

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Revisions:
Code 25A Wiring installation using conduits

cable lubricant:
- not negatively interact with the cable;

- not increase the flame spread;

- not decrease the fire resistant properties of the cable

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Revisions:
Code 25A(2) Wiring installation using steel conduits

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Length of each flexible conduit should be kept to a minimum of not more than 1 m
for general applications or 2 m inside false ceiling.

Revisions:
Code 26A(3) Electrical equipment in bathroom

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Based on IEC 60364-7-701

Installed in Zone 3 location

(i.e. 0.6m away from bath tub)

Revisions:
Code 26I Lightning protection installation

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Lightning protection installations should be installed to IEC 61024, BS 6651 or

equivalent.

Revisions:
Code 26M - Swimming Pools and Fountains Installation
Fountains

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intended to be occupied: swimming pools.

not intended to be occupied: new requirements

Revisions:
Table 26(1)
Recommended Number of Socket Outlets in Dwellings

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Location

Minimum No. of
Socket Outlets

Recommended Maximum Floor Area in sq.

metre Served by a Socket Outlet

Kitchen

1.2

Living/ Dinning
Room

2.5

Bedroom

Store

--

Utility Room

--

Revisions:

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Revisions:

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Revisions:
New Appendix 12 Worked examples

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Determination of Extraneous Conductive Parts

Revisions:
New Appendix 13 Checklist

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Revised according to CoP revisions

(e.g. bathroom socket outlet)

Add a checklist for lightning protection installation

Revisions:
New Appendix 14 Reference

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Revisions:

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Most popular government publication

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Purchase of CoP:

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Publications Sales Section of the

Information Services Department
Room 402, Murray Building,
Garden Road, Central.

order by phone (no. 2537 1910)

by e-mail at puborder@isd.gov.hk

The Way Forward

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Keep abreast of the latest development

Close consultation with the trade and industry

Your suggestion and feedback

are always welcome

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Thank you

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