Part P is a building regulation in England covering electrical safety in dwellings. Certain electrical works are required to comply with Part P and a certificate confirming compliance should be issued in addition to any electrical inspection & testing certification. If the installer is not a member of a registered body such as the NICEIC who are allowed to self-certify under Part P, then the Local Authority should be advised of the works to be carried out. They may then require a third party to inspect the works at various stages to ensure compliance and the client will be charged for this service.

You cannot see electricity, usually cables are hidden, and consumer units can be hidden in cupboards, so its common for the condition of our electrical installations to go unnoticed.

Faulty and old wiring is one of the number one causes of 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, by having an Electrical Installation Condition Report (historically known as a Period Inspection & Test) carried out by professionals with the necessary qualifications & experience to identify any issues that may be present. The frequency of the inspections will depend on many factors and will be recommended by the inspector as part of the report. Private Landlords must have an inspection every 5 years as a minimum.

There are various qualifications and grades for electricians, from trainees all the way to senior engineers. The easiest way to ensure your chosen tradesperson is qualified for the works required is to use ones that are a member of a Competent Persons Scheme such as the NICEIC. Also you can ask to see their ECS (Electrotechnical Certification Scheme) card. This will usually detail the card holder’s qualifications and grade of engineer.

There are specific qualifications required to install electric vehicle chargers, the easiest way to be sure your installer has completed the necessary training is to use one that is not only part of a Competent Persons Scheme, such as the NICEIC but look for OZEV (Office of Zero Emission Vehicles) authorised installers too. In some cases manufacturers will only honour warranties if the installation has been carried out by qualified engineers who have also undergone manufacturer-specific training and so become manufacturer-authorised installers so this is something to look for when choosing an installer.