About the City & Guilds 2382 18th Edition Wiring Regulations Exam
The City & Guilds 2382 (18th Edition Wiring Regulations, BS 7671) is the essential qualification for electricians working in the UK. It confirms competence in the current edition of BS 7671, the national standard for electrical installations. The exam is open-book: candidates may use their BS 7671 Orange Book during the test. The current version is Amendment 4 (2382-26), published April 2026. Anyone carrying out, supervising, or inspecting electrical work in the UK should hold a current 18th Edition qualification.
The exam covers six core technical areas:
- Fundamental Principles: scope of BS 7671, definitions, basic protection (insulation, barriers, enclosures), fault protection (ADS, Automatic Disconnection of Supply), and supplementary protection (RCDs)
- Cable Selection and Installation: current-carrying capacity, voltage drop, derating factors (grouping, ambient temperature, thermal insulation), and cable types and their applications
- Earthing and Bonding: earthing system types (TN-C-S, TN-S, TT, IT), main protective bonding, supplementary bonding, and earth fault loop impedance requirements
- Protective Devices: fuses, MCBs, RCDs, RCBOs, types, characteristics, and application; discrimination and coordination between devices
- Special Installations and Locations: bathrooms (zones 0, 1, 2), swimming pools, hot air saunas, solar PV systems, EV charging, medical locations, and explosive atmospheres
- Inspection, Testing, and Documentation: initial verification, periodic inspection and testing, Electrical Installation Certificates (EIC), Minor Works Certificates, and EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report)
The exam consists of 60 open-book multiple-choice questions, completed in 2 hours. Pass mark is 60% (36 out of 60).
Important: The current standard is BS 7671:2018 +A4:2026 (Amendment 4, the Orange Book, published April 2026). Previous amendments are withdrawn from October 2026. Electricians must hold a valid 18th Edition qualification, older editions are not accepted for registration cards (ECS, JIB) or building regulations notification (Part P). Failure to comply with BS 7671 can result in unsafe installations, building regulations non-compliance, and personal liability.
Key 18th Edition Wiring Regulations Facts to Know
- Exam questions: 60 open-book multiple-choice questions
- Pass mark: 60%, 36 correct out of 60
- Duration: 2 hours
- Open book: You may bring your BS 7671 Orange Book, no other notes permitted
- Current edition: BS 7671:2018 +A4:2026, the Amendment 4 Orange Book, effective April 2026
- TN-C-S (PME): The most common earthing arrangement in the UK, the neutral and earth are combined in the supply but separated at the consumer unit
- 30 mA RCD: Required for all socket outlets up to 20A in most locations, and for circuits supplying lighting in dwellings (Amendment 3+)
- Part P: Building Regulations Approved Document P requires notification for most electrical work in dwellings, either through a Part P registered electrician or by building control
- EV charging: New requirements in Amendment 4 cover EV charging equipment installation, earthing, and protection requirements
- EICR frequency: Domestic: every 10 years or on change of occupancy; commercial: every 5 years; rental: every 5 years (legal requirement since 2020)
City & Guilds and the IET provide no standalone practice exam questions for the 2382. Practice Tests UK fills that gap with 100+ realistic questions across all technical areas with step-by-step explanations for every answer.
| Feature | C&G / IET Resources | Practice Tests UK |
|---|
| Practice questions | None | 100+ questions |
| Answer explanations | None | Every question |
| Instant feedback | No | Yes |
| Progress tracking | No | Yes |
| Drill by topic area | No | Yes |
Free sample: Try 10 free questions below. Use Drill Mode to focus on the topic area you find hardest.
