I.S. 10101: The New National Rules for Electrical Installations Webinar

In this video presentation put together by Charles Dunn, Chair of NSAI/ETC/Technical Committee 02 "Electrical Installations", the changes in the new "Wiring Rules" are outlined. 

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Ireland’s new National Rules for Electrical Installations (previously referred to as the National Wiring Rules) have been published by the NSAI.  The document is the first major revision to the standard in over 10 years and is based on internationally agreed standards for safety of electrical installations.

The new standard, also known as I.S. 10101:2020, will replace ET 101:2008, and has been produced by industry experts who sit on the NSAI’s Electro Technical Committee (ETC/TC 2) “Electrical Installations”.  The standard includes requirements for design and installation of all types of installations including housing, hospitals, agricultural buildings, caravans, construction sites, industrial premises and swimming pools.

The National Rules for Electrical Installations are essential for electricians, inspectors and regulators as they specify the safety requirements for electrical installations in all types of premises in Ireland.  The revisions bring requirements in line with recent technical developments and best practice in Europe, including new technologies such as electric cars, adaptation for IT connections , and guidance on energy efficiencies.  

The CRU is the body responsible for regulating restricted and controlled electrical works in the Republic of Ireland. Through its designated Safety Supervisory Body Safe Electric, the CRU ensures that electrical contractors comply with the current standard. As such, the CRU sets the transition period to IS 10101:2020.

The CRU had decided on a transition period of 24 months to enforce compliance with the new standard. However, transition deadline dates have been delayed by 4 months due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Therefore, the total transition timeline will be extended to 28 months. The following applies to all restricted and controlled electrical works in either commercial or domestic properties:

The transition period will begin from 1 April 2020. Electrical installations may be designed to the new standard from this date.

After ten months (from 1 February 2021), all new electrical installations must be designed and certified to the new standard.

After 28 months (from 1 August 2022), all electrical installations must be certified to the new standard.

Installations may be designed to the old standard until 31 January 2021, provided they are certified to at least a pre-connection stage by 31 July 2022.

Safe Electric will not process certificates for installations that are not in compliance with the transition timelines set out above.

It is the responsibility of the REC undertaking the works to ensure they certify to the correct standard and within the correct timeframe.

Where RECs submit certificates to the old standard after these deadlines, Safe Electric will not process the certificate and the REC will be required to bring the installation into compliance with the new standard – IS 10101:2020.

There will be no changes to the certificates of completion or to the process of certification through Safe Electric as a result of implementation of the new standard.

For details about transition arrangements from ET 101:2008 to I.S. 10101:2020 please refer to the Safe Electric website.

I.S. 10101 Summary of Key Changes
Read Summary of Key Dates here.

• 2020

  • 1 April 2020: New electrical installations may be designed and certified to the new standard

• 2021

  • 31 January 2021: This is the last day new electrical installations may be designed to the old standard (such installations must be certified by 31 July 2022)

  • 1 February 2021: New electrical installations must be designed to the new standard

• 2022

  • 31 July 2022: This is the last day an installation may be pre-connection certified to the old standard (such installations must have been designed by 31 January 2020)

  • 1 August 2022: Electrical installations must be certified to the new standard.