Electrical periodic electrical inspections and testing is essential for identifying any potential hazards that may arise from wear and tear, damage or deterioration of the electrical installation and components. It is important to conduct such inspections in order to comply with the Electricity At Work Regulations (1989) which specify that the safety of people using the electrical system must be safeguarded.
By having regular electrical inspections, you can ensure that any potential hazards are identified and any necessary repairs or replacements are made as soon as possible.
It is recommended that domestic installations are inspected and tested at lease every 10 years or on a change of ownership or occupancy whilst commercial and industrial installations require more frequent inspections, with the recommended interval being every 3-5 years, depending on the type of installation and its usage.
With larger or non-domestic electrical installations it’s not always practical to inspect and test the whole of the installation due to the size and parts that may be in use during the inspection and test. In this instance it must be agreed with the client before work begins on just how much of the installation should be investigated ‘sampled’. This sample must cover enough of the installation to be able to form a reasonable opinion on the overall condition of the installation.
During the inspection, a qualified electrician will carry out a visual examination of electrical components, as well as testing the circuit wiring and equipment to ensure that the associated protective devices, fuses, circuit breakers, RCDs etc are functioning correctly.
Once the inspection and testing is complete, the electrician will issue an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) detailing any faults or areas of concern, as well as recommendations for remedial action. If any issues or faults are found, they are issued a relevant code…
C1 – Danger Present. Must be made safe immediately
C2 – Potentially dangerous – urgent remedial action required.
C3 – Improvement recommended.
FI – Further investigation required without delay.
…and should be rectified as soon as possible or investigated in the case of an FI code and it is essential to take these recommendations seriously to maintain safety and compliance.
NOTE: Any non-compliance C1s or C2s will result in the condition of the electrical installation being in an UNSATISFACTORY condition.
In conclusion: It is essential to ensure that electrical installations are regularly inspected and tested in order to comply with the Electricity At Work Regulations (1989) and keep people safe. By having regular inspections, any potential hazards can be identified before they cause an accident or injury.
A qualified electrician will carry out a visual examination of components as well as testing wiring and equipment to make sure protective devices are functioning correctly. Once complete, an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) detailing any faults or areas of concern should be issued along with recommendations for remedial action which must be taken seriously in order to maintain safety and compliance.
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