In this blog we are going to discuss why you should use a registered electrician, and how to check that they are qualified and competent to do the work.
Why is it important to use a registered electrician?⚡
It goes without saying that electrical work is dangerous. Faults cannot be seen, and electricity will always choose the path of least resistance to get back to earth and if that is through a person then that’s the route it will take.
It is important to use a qualified, registered electrician so relevant safety checks and testing can be carried out before, during and after any electrical work.
Using a registered electrician means that their qualifications have been checked, they are regularly assessed and have to keep up to date with relevant changes within the industry, including working to the latest wiring regulations BS7671 (currently on the 18th edition amendment 2 at the time of writing this blog.)
What do competent person schemes do?
There are several competent person schemes (CPS) out there. However, the main two are NAPIT (National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers) and NICEIC (National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting). These professional bodies ensure current standards and practices are being adhered to. They undertake relevant checks on their members, this is from qualifications, insurances, to working standards. Every year a registered company is inspected, whereby again all their qualifications are checked along with required paperwork and procedures being in place. Also during these visits, the inspector will go out with the engineer and visit some of their jobs to assess the work carried out. They also assess the engineer in the field for competence of work by getting them to carry out certain tests, asking technical questions and checking their understanding of relevant legislation.
Is there any other benefit to using a registered electrician?✔️
Registered electricians can also sign off their own work to building control, and issue relevant certifications which ensure the work carried out meets all legal and safety requirements. For example, if you have a consumer unit upgrade then it is a legal requirement to notify building control of this work. Most people assume their electrician is registered, but it is so important to check this as informing building control of work is down to the homeowner. So, if you use an unregistered electrician then you could face prosecution. Also this could have an impact on selling a property if the required documents have not been produced.
How do I check my Electrician is registered?
There are a couple of ways to do this, but the most simple is to check the competent person scheme website www.competentperson.co.uk or if you know who your electrician is registered with, such as NAPIT, then check the governing bodies website.
NAPIT- www.napit.org.uk
NICEIC- www.niceic.com
You can also ask the electrician to see proof of their qualifications, and registration. Part of the CPS there are different scopes, so this is important to check as well. Some electricians are only assessed to carry out domestic work.
Can I use an unregistered electrician?⚠️
This is completely up to you, but if you do then you must accept the risks that come with this. Certain work does not require notifications, however even the simplest job such as changing a light switch can pose a risk if required safety checks are not carried out. For example, if a metal faceplate is not correctly earthed then under a fault this could become live, posing a risk of electric shock.
Is Spot On Electrical (Midlands) LTD part of a CPS?
Yes, we are proud to say we are part of NAPIT! This includes the full scope of membership Domestic, Commercial and Industrial. Our membership details can be check on their website. We are also members of MCS for solar/ battery installation work.
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