A survey conducted by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), found over 80% of respondents now source technical information relating to their job online – suggesting many electrical contractors are moving away from traditional print versions of technical publications and opting to use digital content instead.
87.3% of the 1,333 respondents to the survey run by the IET’s quarterly magazine, Wiring Matters, stated they access technical information via their PC, with a further 27% accessing information via smartphones and 19% via tablet devices.
The research comes as the IET launches The IET Wiring Regulations Digital: Online, a suite of browser-based versions of its publications in e-book format. IET publications available digitally include: the IET Wiring Regulations 17th Edition; BS 7671:2008 incorporating Amendment No.1, 2011; and the IET On Site Guide, as well as a range of the IET’s expert guidance and new titles which are added as they publish.
The suite of publications has a number of features which can help support electrical engineers and FE college lecturers in accessing and sharing information more easily. All of the publications contained in the platform are automatically updated to the latest edition – giving users peace of mind that they are accessing the most up-to-date information when they need it. Wiring Regulations Digital: Online also allows organisations and lecturers to share regulations and guidance across a far greater number of employees and students by offering them a multi-user licence. To save time, the digital publications are also equipped with an intuitive search function, which allows users to quickly find answers to their questions.
Geoff Cronshaw, the IET’s chief electrical engineer, said: “Wiring Regulations Digital: Online is very much the IET’s response to the changing needs of electrical engineers and those teaching electrical standards in the UK. From our research, it is clear that a large majority of electrical contractors use online sources to gain technical information on wiring regulations and guidance. With this in mind, we’ve developed the online function to house a large number of our regulation and guidance publications.
“The software is available through an annual subscription which gives access to all of the latest regulations and guidance that every electrical engineer needs. Not only that, the platform also ensures that everyone has the most up-to-date standards and reference points to work from – helping to ensure that the correct standards and procedures for electrical wiring are practiced.”
For everything you need to know about the Wiring Regulations Digital: Online or to request your free trial, visit www.theiet.org/wrdo-pr