Having some electrical work carried out at your High Wycombe home? Wondering what certificate you should receive from your electrician?
If the work being carried out is of a very basic nature such as swapping switch or socket faceplates with like for like replacements or changing a light fitting, then no certificates are required. However, the electrician should test the suitability of the circuit for the changes. ie. is there an earth conductor in the lighting circuit when attaching a metal light fixture?
Electrical Certificates
There are 3 electrical certificates that can be issued by an electrician for work carried out:
- 𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗢𝗥 𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗟 𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞𝗦 𝗖𝗘𝗥𝗧𝗜𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗘
- 𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗟 𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗖𝗘𝗥𝗧𝗜𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗘
- 𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗟 𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧
Minor Works Certificate
If the work requires the alteration or extension of a circuit at your High Wycombe home then a 𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗢𝗥 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞𝗦 𝗖𝗘𝗥𝗧𝗜𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗘 (𝗠𝗪𝗖) must be issued by the electrician. This would include work such as adding a new lighting point or socket outlet to an existing circuit or the addition of smoke detectors wired to an existing lighting circuit. The existing circuit should be inspected and tested and the test results entered on the minor works certificate and given to the customer.
Electrical Installation Certificate
If the work requires the installation of a completely new circuit such as a supply to an EV charger, outbuilding or a cooker then an 𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗟 𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗖𝗘𝗥𝗧𝗜𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗘 (𝗘𝗜𝗖) must be issued to the customer. This must also be issued for a consumer unit change and must include all circuits connected to that consumer unit. In addition to this EIC a 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝗣 certificate may also need to be issued if the work is notifiable to local building control under Part P of the building regulations. These notifiable works are:
- 𝗔 𝗰i𝗿𝗰𝘂𝗶𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗯𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿)
- 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗰𝗶𝗿𝗰𝘂𝗶𝘁𝘀
- 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁 (𝗳𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝘅)
- 𝗔 𝗿𝗲𝘄𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗰𝗶𝗿𝗰𝘂𝗶𝘁𝘀
- 𝗔 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝘄𝗶𝗿𝗲
- 𝗔 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱)
If your electrician is a member of a Competent Persons Scheme such as the NICEIC which Plugs Electrical are then they will issue this additional Part P certificate themselves with the Installation Certificate. The responsibility of obtaining the Part P certificate is with the landlord or homeowner. Local Authorities have the power to make homeowners or landlords remove or alter any electrical work that does not meet the requirements of the Building Regulations.
Electrical Installation Condition Report
If you are having your electrical installation checked for electrical safety then after the inspection and test is carried out by your electrician they will issue you with an 𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗟 𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧 (𝗘𝗜𝗖𝗥). This certificate is as comprehensive as the EIC but allows for observations and codes (1-3) to be entered on the report thereby allowing the recipient to ascertain the severity of the dangers, if any, observed by the electrician. The installation will be deemed either satisfactory or unsatisfactory depending on these observations and codes.
Ensuring you receive the correct certificate
In the UK, obtaining the correct electrical certificate from a qualified electrician is essential for ensuring electrical work meets safety and compliance standards. These certificates confirm that the installation, alteration, or addition complies with the UK Wiring Regulations (BS 7671) and is safe for use.
Having this certificate is crucial for property owners, as it serves as proof of compliance, can be required for home insurance claims, and is often necessary when selling or renting a property.
Contact us to learn more.
