What regulations do you need to consider when working in potential high impact areas?

Whilst this list is not exhaustive, this is the main focus of the question in hand but not limited to.

BS EN 62262: 2002+A1:2021 Degrees of protection provided by enclosures for electrical equipment against external mechanical impacts (IK code), is a standard which ‘…refers to the classification of the degrees of protection provided by enclosures against external mechanical impacts…’.

Table 1 in this standard details the following codes for the impact energy (in joules) that the equipment is capable of withstanding.

Whilst Appendix 5 of BS 7671 does not reference IK codes, rather it references ‘low’, ‘medium’ and ‘high’ severity of impact, there are a number of regulations within the standard which make specific references to BS EN 62262, including for example, Regulation 708.512.2.1.3, 709.512.2.1.4, and 712.512.

In conclusion

It is important that both designers and installers take due account of the likelihood of impact when selecting and installing suitable products for those installations which have a harsher environment. Additionally, certain special locations detail specific minimum impact requirements.

For more information head to our SGTV channel where Jake Green and Marcus Barritt discuss this further.  https://youtu.be/pv0zWSxN9ng