FAQs
As a national electrical, property maintenance and plumbing contractor, our customers are diverse and will quite often have questions about our products and services.
This area is designed to answer many of the questions that you may have and is divided into our main areas of work.
Please note that the answers to FAQs are for guidance only.
What is an RCD?
A Residual Current Device (RCD) is a protective device that switches off its output circuit automatically, when it detects an earth fault current that could pose an electric shock risk. Any appliance plugged into a socket-outlet can pose an electric shock risk and in many homes, all socket-outlets are now protected with an RCD.
The risk of serious injury and death from electric shock is far greater outdoors compared with indoors, due to wet conditions and good contact with the ground. Any socket-outlet that may be used for plugging in 230 Volt portable electrical equipment for use outdoors must have RCD protection - this is a requirement of BS 7671. The RCD should have a tripping current (maximum rated residual operating current) of 30 milliamperes.
If you have any 230 V socket-outlets that may be used for plugging in portable equipment that will be used outdoors, and are not protected by an RCD, buy a plug-in RCD adaptor from a reputable dealer. Using such RCDs offers a good temporary solution to reduce the risks of injury or death from electric shock. However, a safer solution is to ask a Competent Electrical Contractor to install permanent RCD protection for these socket-outlets.
What is a periodic inspection?
A periodic inspection is an inspection to determine the condition of an electrical installation. The purpose is to identify, so far as reasonably practicable, any factors impairing the safety of the electrical installation, and to make appropriate recommendations for remedial action. We will issue a periodic inspection report (PIR), which is a report on an existing electrical installation.
A competent electrical contractor carrying out a periodic inspection will check the electrical installation against the current edition of BS 7671.
When does a Periodic Inspection need to be carried out?
It is recommended that periodic inspection and testing is carried out:
For tenanted properties at each change of occupancy
At least every 10 years for a domestic installation
At least every 5 years for a commercial installation
The Landlords and Tenant Act 1995 requires landlords of properties with short leases to keep the electrical installations in repair and proper working order. The Electrical Safety Council recommends landlords arrange for periodic inspection and testing to be carried out by an Approved Contractor at the intervals shown above.
Periodic inspection and testing should be carried out more frequently for other types of electrical installations. For example:
- 3 years for caravans
- 3 years for industrial premises
- 1 year for swimming pools
- 3 months for construction sites
Is surface wiring permitted?
Yes, provided it is installed in accordance with British Standard 7671- Requirements for Electrical Installations (IEE Wiring Regulations) - as amended. This is the national safety standard for electrical installations. This standard requires that wiring is protected from any foreseeable damage e.g. impact, abrasion or corrosive substances.
Does all redundant wiring have to be removed?
When an electrical installation is rewired, every effort should be made to remove redundant wiring. In exceptional circumstances, if it is not possible, any redundant wiring must be permanently disconnected from any electrical supply so that it cannot present a hazard.