How qualified do I have to be to do electrical work legally?

[cairns]

Hi there, I'm thinking of buying a flat and renovating it. I'm a second year apprentice doing my 2330 L2, just wondering what excatly do I need before I can legally touch the electrics, without informing building control. + Can I test it and sign it off myself without having my 2391 or being a member of NICEIC etc. Sorry if it sounds stupid, people keep telling me I need this and that and others say you don't, so I just want someone to clarify the situation with this. Thanks in advance.

 

[stef]

Hi cairns,

as long as you don,t add new circuits or replace the consumer unit you are allowed to replace like for like
without informing the local authorities. You are not allowed to "sign it off" i.e. issue an installation certificate
because this has to go to the local authorities. As long as you are competent to do so you can undertake electrical work. Local authorities cannot stop you to rewire your own property, though when you sell it then it becomes tricky. I'd say If you leave the CU alone and don't add / change protective devices then you can do it,
issue MWC for each job you do so it is on record if needed.

 

[Risteard]

You are not allowed to "sign it off" i.e. issue an installation certificate
because this has to go to the local authorities.

It is a requirement of BS7671 that you certify the installation via an Electrical Installation Certificate etc.

 

[stef]

Yes, of course, but he is not Part P registered so he can't so he can't do Part P work.
That's what I intended to say.

 

[cairns]

Someone told me, they issue there own certificates, what does one need to issue there own installation certificate?

 

[stef]

Again, if you want to do a complete new installation in a domestic property you need to be an
approved domestic installer (NEICIC or so) or you inform the local authorities in advance (that'll cost you
up to £300.- , depends where you live).

If you go the local authority route then they'll do the testing, inspecting and certification. If you go the domestic installer route then you need 7671, 2391, the books, insurances, test instruments, money ...

If you have all that then you can use your own property for the assessment.

 

[Risteard]

Yes, of course, but he is not Part P registered so he can't so he can't do Part P work.
That's what I intended to say.

My understanding is that so long as he notifies Building Control beforehand then there is no issue.

 

[stef]

Yeah, he can but I think they do the testing, inspecting and certification, that's whey they're so dear.

 

[cairns]

If you've done your 2391, cant you issue your own certificate as your qualified to test and ispect with that aren't you? So the council charge £300 then, do they have any pre requirements before you carry out the work, such as a certain level of competence or qualification? Thanks

 

[stef]

It is that Part P of the building regulations thing again. Technically, if you look in the regs, you need to be
'competent' for testing and inspecting. No mention of 2391.

This 'local authority thing' came in with Part P. I personally have no experience with the local authorities.
So what they actually want and/or do may even depend on the area where you live. The 2391 is a benchmark
for both the local authorities and the domestic installer's schemes.

The £300.- is just my guess, it may be less, wouldn't count on it. Best thing is go down town and ask
for a planning permission before you do the work and ask whether you are permitted to certify the work.

 

[Des 56]

Anyone can install an electrical installation Domestic.commercial or industrial
If its installed to BS7671 regs then a certificate has to be compiled as per those regs
You dont have to have any qualifications to do the above

As part of the building regulations,domestic work has to be notified to the council before work starts,because it needs to be certificated that it complies wit part p of those building regs
That means a notification fee to the council,it also means that they are responsible for the testing and inspection
They can do this themselves or accept your certificates (they would then probably want to know that you are competent before doing so)
To bypass this procedure and avoid the fee,a buisness can become self certificating for compliance with part p by joining a competent person scheme like napit elecsa or niceic
Thec notification is then done on completion via the scheme operator

Part p of the building regs has nothing to do with who can install,it is to do with compliance to the building regs
Installation is open to anybody who wishes to do so

 

[D80]

Cairns, where are you based? Part P only applies in England and Wales, not Scotland and Northern Ireland.

 

[cairns]

Ok, cheers for that Des, you've cleared that up for me. I'm in England. If I do work that is Minor Works only can I issue my own certificate then and put my test results on this certificate, without having to join a body such as NICEIC. I wouldn't need to notify the council of minor works would I?

 

[wattsup]

you can rewire your own house in bell wire, it is not illegal, no earths no nothing, no one can sue you...when you come to sell the house, they / buyers / the guys whom know about electrics will knock 1000 ish quid of the asking price

 

[rick]

Cairns

To do your own installation and certify it, you need three things only

1. To be "competant"
2. To be a member of a scheme (NIC, NAPIT, ELECSA etc.)
3. To prove (1) to (2). 2382 17th edition will do this. You will also have to have an assessment when you join, and you own house is OK for this (at least with ELECSA).

Of course you will also need test equipment and know how to use it.

I don't have the 2330 or 2391 (although I am working for the latter) but neither are essential.

I'm with ELECSA and they have been great.

Rick