ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION COMPANY

Electrical installation is the process of connecting items that use electricity to a meter. From flicking on a lightbulb to boiling a kettle, people rely on electrical power for all manner of functions. Of course, small appliances and products are quite simple to deal with alone. Usually, a business or homeowner doesn't require expert assistance to swap a fuse in a plug.

So, when is an electrical installation company necessary? As a rule, they are needed for major projects that require specialist knowledge. An excellent example is building rewire. Ensuring every element is correctly fitted isn't something the average person can do without training.

Not only will a professional connect the pieces of the puzzle, but a quality contractor also deals with electrical installation design and maintenance. Apart from connecting wires to power lines to receive electricity, other items that require electrical installation are:

• Circuit breakers
• Wall outlets
• Dishwashers
• Washing machines
• Lights
• Dryers

Jobs such as these are carried out in both residential and commercial properties across the UK. The latter is similar to the former; however, they focus on larger projects (office space/factories/power plants). As a result, an electrician must make sure the power reaches the desired point without overloading the circuit.

Connecting circuits to a power unit or meter is a significant chunk of the process of electrical installation. However, installing household appliances and wiring a home or an office aren't the only features that installation deals with. Fantastic installation services should deal with the following to design and implement a comprehensive circuit.

Socket Installation

Not only should there be outlets for appliances, but they should be accessible to avoid health and safety risks, such as trailing leads.

Sufficient Coverage & Maintenance

Covers or electrical casing must be in place to stop people coming into contact with live or broken components. And, anything that isn't working needs repairing ASAP.

Necessary Earthing Arrangements

A fire or shock can quickly occur if the circuit overloads. Therefore, it is vital that all electrical accessories are earthed so that they can clear a fault and negate these hazards.

An RCD

A Residential Current Device is a potential lifesaver as it's designed to prevent fatal electric shocks. All electrical installation solutions should implement one to reduce the risk of death.

Two considerable benefits of hiring a reputable and trustworthy are – security and peace of mind. Safety is the number one concern of electrical services contractors because multiple hazards can be fatal. For the general public, then it's essential to avoid the dangers and maintain a high level of health.

Peace of mind doesn't refer to security, but a job well done. Investing in rewiring or light connection solutions isn't cheap. As a result, customers and clients must try and guarantee a high level of standard. With a provider that has an excellent standing within the industry, people who purchase electrical solutions never have to worry about wasting their money. A knock-on effect is maintenance costs. DIY isn't only a gamble that isn't worth the risk – it's likely to do more harm than good to a person's bank account.

Quality electrical services make sure the job is finished to a high standard so that customers can reduce future maintenance fees and expenses. It only takes a single, small mistake for the wiring to be ripped out and rewired all over again.

Several electrical wiring systems are available for businesses and individuals. The main examples are:

• Wooden casing
• Capping wiring
• Sheath wiring
• Conduit wiring

Cleat wiring is a method that electrical contractors in the UK use to this day. And, while it has many pros and cons, it's vital that people understand the basics of the system. Typically, cleat wiring uses standard insulated wires that are put in place on a building using cleats, plastic, or wood. It is an incredibly cheap and basic system, which is why it continues to be popular today.

However, it is only a temporary design that isn't long-lasting. As such, it is only applicable for temporary structures and not homes or completed commercial buildings. An electrical installation company would use cleat wiring during the construction of a building, for instance.

Once the building work is finished, a more permanent system is necessary to avoid Sag.

Essentially, an electrical inspection is to ensure that a building's wiring and electrical components are in excellent working order. A review is evidence that the electrics do not pose a risk to life, too.

The extent of inspections differs, depending on the contractor. Still, a basic check-up should always determine hazards and faults, check for uncovered, outdated and exposed wiring, and examine the power box. It may also include testing power points and light fixtures, as well as analysing DIY electrical work.

Without a regular assessment, a property's electrical features might be outdated to the point they are dangerous. That puts the wellbeing of anybody who enters the premises, from family and friends to employees, in potential jeopardy.

How often electrics need testing depends on the circumstances. According to the UK Standard for electric safety, BS 7671, it's crucial that life isn't put at risk by deteriorating or ageing installations. Therefore, the advice is to assess the electrics no later than five years after the initial and first periodic inspection. For an HMO, however, The Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation Regulations 2006 make testing mandatory every five years.

Homeowners can wait longer – a test is recommended every ten years. Yet, because the deadline hasn't passed doesn't mean an inspection is needless. Specific events may speed up the need for a test.

Moving Home

Whether buying or selling, it's a smart move for both parties to check electrical installations first. “Looking under the bonnet” will highlight any faults that require repairing and prevent any nasty surprises. An assessment may be included. If it isn't, it's worth investing in one to cover every base.

A Storm

Storms can cause issues that weren't apparent to escalate into major problems. Flooding, for example, may ruin the outlets and switchboards, whereas a circuit can break. For the latter, it's imperative for the property owner to contact an electrical maintenance technician to reconnect the power.

If Recurring Problems Are Regular

Recurring electrical issues are signs that there are deficiencies. They include, but aren't limited to outages, tripped circuits, and earthing problems. DIY electrical work can also encourage faults that need fixing.

There are two options for checking the electrical safety of a building or property. The first is a visual assessment. During a VIR, it's imperative to look out for any warning signs that may escalate into a bigger issue in the future. To do this, the NICEIC recommends that people search for any “defects, damage, or deterioration.”

A visual inspection can be carried out by a non-specialist. Of course, this means that flaws may slip the cracks or go under the radar. Therefore, it's safer and more efficient for property owners to hire an electrical installation company. As part of a VIR, a contractor will take around one hour to complete the test, taking notes during the inspection. They can analyse various elements, but the main ones are:

• Main fuse board
• Sockets & Plugs
• Light fittings
• Light switches
• Electrical cables or leads
• Earthing and bonding
• Extension leads
• Signs of wear and tear or burning/scorching

An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is the second type of test. It is more thorough, taking between three to four hours, and involves switching off the power to test for flaws that are hard to detect during a VIR.

No. There is no legal requirement stating that electrical companies in Kent or anywhere in the United Kingdom must be Niceic-registered. Although the Niceic is the leading body in electrical work in Britain, it's only a voluntary regulator and doesn't hold any legal power.

However, electricians must comply with Part P of the IET Wiring Regulations, as if they don't, they are liable to be sued. This means that an electrician and electrical company have to register before undergoing any minor or notable work.

Most electricians proudly display their Niceic certification because the qualification is well thought of in the industry. While it's not a requirement to hire a company with a Niceic badge, it's often the case that consumers search for this qualification. It's a symbol of quality as the Niceic has a rigorous testing process that means only the best pass.

Electricians and electrical companies must showcase a sample of their work, their premises, documentation, equipment, and the ability to supervise staff. On top of this, regular testing is carried out by the Niceic to ensure the highest possible standards.

So, although an electrician doesn't have to be registered by law, it's usually the case that the majority of UK electrical specialists obtain the certification. After all, it is proof that their services and solutions are among the best in the industry and are trustworthy.

Yes, he or she should provide proof of certification if they advertise their qualifications. If they aren't accredited by the Niceic, for instance, it's best to report them to the board. By doing this, business owners and homeowners can look out for each other's best interests. A tip is not to accept a business card or website as evidence. Only a document stating they have passed the assessments with the Niceic's branding is acceptable.

The same applies to any claims of registration. It's estimated that 20,000 businesses in Britain are unregistered, and that is one reason 1,000 people are injured every day, with at least one person dying. To make it simpler for consumers, there is an online database for registrations that is accessible online.

By double-checking that a firm or person is on these lists, a person can quickly and effectively choose a contractor that is insured, located in the area, and easily contactable. Operators on the Electrical Competent Persons, apart from Niceic, are:

• ELECSA
• NAPIT
• STROMA
• Benchmark
• BESCA
• OFTEC