Testing and Inspection

As everyone appreciates, electrical installations deteriorate over time due to age and regular use. Regular testing is an obvious preventative measure to take in order to help prevent serious consequences of these age-related issues. Active Electrical Solutions recommend that the installation be inspected and tested at regular intervals by a qualified electrician to check if the installation is in a satisfactory condition for continued use. Such safety checks are commonly referred to as 'periodic inspection and testing'. 

Once completed you will be issued with an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) which will give you peace of mind regarding your electrical installation.

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​A periodic inspection will:

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• Determine if any of your electrical circuits or equipment are overloaded

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• Reveal any potential electrocution risks 

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• Reveal any potential fire risks

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• Find any defective electrical work

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• Identify when there is a lack of earthing or bonding.

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Specific testing will be performed on wiring and fixed electrical equipment to check that they are safe to use.

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What is the required frequency for periodic testing and inspection?

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The electrical installations in your property should be inspected and tested every:

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• Ten years for your own home

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• Five years for house that is a rental property

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• Three years for a static caravan - individual caravan parks may have a more frequent stipulation

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• one year for a swimming pool.

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A periodic test and inspection should also be performed:

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• When a landlord is preparing a property for letting

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• Prior to the sale or purchase of a previously owned property.

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Who should carry out the periodic inspection and what happens?

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Periodic inspection and testing should be carried out only by electrically competent persons - Active Electrical Solutions are electricians who are qualified and registered to perform this work.  Active will check the state of the electric installation against the UK standard for the safety of electrical installations, BS 7671 – Requirements for Electrical Installations (IET Wiring Regulations).

The inspection and testing will take into account the relevant circumstances and checks will be made accordingly:

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• Earthing and bonding will be checked for adequacy

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• The suitability of the consumer unit (or fuse box in some instances)

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• The adequacy of switches, sockets and light fittings

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• The adequacy of the wiring indoors and outdoors

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• The adequacy of existing sockets indoors and outdoors

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• The extent of any wear and tear due to age or other damage

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• Any changes in the use of the premises that have led to, or may lead to, unsafe conditions.

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Upon completion Active Electrical Solutions (who operate in South Woodham Ferrers, Chelmsford, Danbury, Brentwood, Wickford, Basildon, Billericay, Burnham, Southminster and other surrounding areas within Essex) will then issue an Electrical Installation Condition Report detailing all observations and recommendations.

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Contact Active Electrical Solutions to request your free quotation.