P38-39 EV Charging:Layout 1 28/01/2021 14:59 Page 39 EVCharging
A quality first approach
As with any rapid deployment of relatively young technology, the onus now is on the quality and safety of such installations. Like any fixed electrical installation, duty holders are required under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 (EAWR) to ensure the safety of EV charging points. This includes maintaining systems to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, any danger to employees, visitors or other persons. In addition to EAWR, there are a number of other documents used for guidance and to demonstrate compliance, including BS7671 Requirements for Electrical installations, Guidance Notes including GN3 (IET) and BS7671 Section 722 – Electric Vehicle charging installations. Notably, duty holders should take into consideration that EV charging points are a high use asset, often installed outside and therefore vulnerable to mechanical damage and ingress of water. Periodic inspection and at least annual testing are critical to help maintain the long-term integrity of charging points.
Support from electrical experts
Of course, this expertise is not always available in-house, which is why Bureau Veritas has launched a new independent inspection offering for EV charging points to help duty holders ensure all installations are compliant with relevant regulations. This new service provides an independent assessment of all new installations to identify any issues that may present an electrical safety risk.
Conducted by Bureau Veritas’ electrical engineers, the testing and inspection programme includes a thorough internal and external visual inspection, together with earth continuity and polarity confirmation, and functional testing. Checks on residual current devices and earth loop impedance are also included - all designed to help maintain the safety and long-term integrity of these vital assets.
Like any fixed electrical
installation, duty holders are required under the Electricity at Work
Regulations 1989 to ensure the safety of EV charging points. This includes maintaining systems to prevent danger to employees, visitors or other persons.
It offers a trusted service from a global leader in testing, inspection and certification, helping organisations to identify faults earlier and maintain compliance with workplace and electrical safety legislation. Not forgetting access to a full range of fixed electrical testing and inspection services from Bureau Veritas experts.
Future of EV charging
At a time when more and more organisations are installing EV charging points to tap into the benefits and keep up with the UK’s shift to electric, a quality first approach is the key to unlocking the potential and maintaining the long-term integrity and availability of our charging infrastructure. The technology and the incentives are now firmly in place to continue the roll-out of EV charging points across the private sector, in line with EV sales. We must make sure the quality and safety of installations are keeping pace.
BUREAU VERITAS Bureau Veritas’ new independent inspection offering for EV
charging points was recently used by one of the world’s largest multinational technology firms to help them ensure all installations are compliant with relevant regulations. As part of an initial trial, the health and safety firm’s experienced electrical inspection engineer examined and tested one EV charging point at the client’s Northampton warehouse and distribution centre. After the success of this, the firm is now revaluating their approach to electrical safety of EV charging points to help identify any issues and provide peace of mind.
To find out more about Bureau Veritas’ new independent inspection offering for EV charging visit:
https://www.bureauveritas.co.uk/electric-vehicle-charging- points-testing-inspection
ewnews.co.uk
February 2021 electrical wholesaler | 39
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