Electrical Reports and Certification
Domestic Electrical Reports
Why do I need an Electrical Report?
A Domestic Electrical Report could save you a lot of money or even your life! You cannot see electricity. Cables are usually hidden inside the walls, and consumer units are often hidden in cupboards, so it is not surprising that we forget to check the condition of our electrical installation for damage or wear and tear.
Faulty and old wiring is one of the main causes or electrical fires in the home. You can reduce the risk of a fire by checking the condition of your cables, switches, sockets and other accessories regularly.
So whether you would like a new home inspected before you buy, or you would like your current home safety checked, having an electrical report will let you know exactly what condition your electrics are in.
How Old Are My Electrics?
UK law stipulates that all household electrics should conform to a specific standard. Consumer units must be double insulated and earthed, all switches and sockets must be of a certain standard, and all cabling should match current standards (Brown for Live, Blue for Neutral, and Yellow and Green for Earth).
If your electrics do not conform to this standard, they could be outdated and even dangerous. Knowing how old your electrics can help determine how safe they are, and if they should be replaced.
Clear signs that can help you tell the age of equipment in the electrical installation in your home include:
- Fixed cables coated in lead or fabric (used before the 1960's).
- Brown or black Light Switches on walls or in bathrooms (used before the 1960's).
- 2 Pin sockets (no earth) or sockets with round pins (used before the 1960's).
- Fixed cables coated in black rubber (stopped using in the 1960's).
- Fuse boxes (consumer units) with a wooden backboard, or using Cast iron switches (Stopped using in the 1960's).
No matter how old your electrical installation is, it still may get damaged and will suffer from wear and tear. So you should get an electrician to check its condition at least every 10 years or when you move into a new property.
What Is The Aim of A Domestic Electrical Report?
The five main aims of a Domestic Electrical Report are:
- Record the results of the inspection and testing to make sure the electrical installation is safe to be used until the next inspection (following any work needed to make it safe)
- Find any damage and wear and tear that might affect safety, and report it
- Find any parts of the electrical installation that do not meet the IEE Wiring Regulations
- Help find anything that may cause electric shocks and high temperatures
- Provide an important record of the installation at the time of the inspection, and for inspection testing in the future.
Types of Domestic Electrical or Condition Reports
In general, there are two types of domestic electrical installation condition report:
- Visual condition report – A visual inspection of the consumer unit, sockets and switches, and general circuits. This does not include testing and is only suitable if the installation has been tested recently.
- Periodic inspection reports – A thorough investigation of your home electrics using diagnostic equipment. This is what we would normally recommend, as it tests the installation and would find any hidden damage.
Too Book an Engineer for an Electrical Report, please fill out the form by pressing the button below.
