What Electrical Work Can a Domestic Installer Do?
A domestic installer, who is a qualified electrician
specializing in residential electrical work, can perform a wide range of
electrical tasks within homes. However, the scope of work depends on the
installer’s qualifications, certifications, and compliance with local
regulations. Here’s a detailed overview of the types of electrical work a
domestic installer can perform.
General Electrical Installations
- New
Installations
- Wiring:
Installing new wiring systems in newly built homes or extensions.
- Lighting:
Installing various types of lighting, including ceiling lights, wall
lights, under-cabinet lighting, and outdoor lighting.
- Sockets
and Switches: Installing power outlets (sockets) and light switches
throughout the home.
- Electrical
Upgrades
- Rewiring:
Rewiring older homes to comply with current safety standards and meet
modern electrical demands.
- Consumer
Units: Replacing or upgrading consumer units (fuse boxes) to modern
standards, incorporating Residual Current Devices (RCDs) and circuit
breakers.
- Appliance
Installation
- Kitchen
Appliances: Installing electrical kitchen appliances such as ovens,
cookers, dishwashers, and extractor fans.
- Heating
Systems: Installing electrical heating systems, including electric
showers, water heaters, and underfloor heating systems.
Maintenance and Repairs
- Fault
Finding and Repair
- Diagnosing
Issues: Identifying and diagnosing electrical faults, such as tripped
circuit breakers, faulty wiring, or malfunctioning outlets.
- Repairs:
Carrying out necessary repairs to restore safe and functional electrical
systems.
- Regular
Maintenance
- Routine
Checks: Performing routine maintenance checks to ensure electrical
systems are in good working order.
- Upgrading
Components: Replacing outdated or faulty electrical components to
improve safety and performance.
Electrical Safety Inspections
- Electrical
Installation Condition Reports (EICR)
- Inspection:
Conducting detailed inspections of existing electrical installations to
assess their condition and safety.
- Reporting:
Providing an EICR that documents the findings, identifies potential
hazards, and recommends remedial actions.
- Minor
Electrical Installation Works Certificate (MEIWC)
- Certification:
Issuing a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate for smaller
jobs that do not require a full Electrical Installation Certificate
(EIC).
Specific Installations and Modifications
- Additional
Sockets and Lighting Points
- Extra
Sockets: Adding additional power outlets in various parts of the home
to accommodate more appliances and devices.
- New
Lighting Points: Installing new lighting points to enhance
illumination and ambiance in living spaces, including outdoor lighting
for gardens and driveways.
- Security
and Safety Installations
- Smoke
Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Installing and testing smoke
alarms and CO detectors to enhance home safety.
- Security
Systems: Installing security lighting, burglar alarms, and CCTV
systems to improve home security.
Special Installations
- Electric
Vehicle (EV) Chargers
- EV
Charger Installation: Installing home EV charging stations, including
all necessary wiring, protective devices, and connection to the
electrical system.
- Compliance
and Certification: Ensuring the installation complies with relevant
regulations and standards, such as notifying the Distribution Network
Operator (DNO) if required.
- Renewable
Energy Systems
- Solar
Panels: Installing photovoltaic (PV) solar panels, including wiring,
inverters, and connection to the home’s electrical system.
- Battery
Storage Systems: Installing battery storage systems to store energy
generated from renewable sources.
Compliance with Regulations
- Building
Regulations Part P
- Part
P Compliance: Ensuring all electrical work complies with Part P of
the Building Regulations, which covers electrical safety in domestic
installations.
- Notifiable
Work: Completing and certifying notifiable work, such as new
circuits, rewiring, and major alterations, and notifying the local
building control authority if the installer is not registered with a
competent person scheme.
- Competent
Person Schemes
- Registration:
Domestic installers often register with competent person schemes (e.g.,
NICEIC, NAPIT, ELECSA, STROMA Certification) that allow them to
self-certify their work as compliant with Building Regulations.
- Certification:
Providing necessary certificates for the completed work, ensuring
compliance with electrical safety standards and regulations.
Conclusion
A domestic installer can perform a wide range of electrical
work within residential properties, including new installations, upgrades,
maintenance, repairs, safety inspections, and specific installations like EV
chargers and security systems. It is crucial that such work complies with local
regulations and standards, particularly Part P of the Building Regulations.
Domestic installers often register with competent person schemes, allowing them
to self-certify their work and provide necessary certification for compliance.
By hiring a qualified domestic installer, homeowners can ensure their
electrical systems are safe, functional, and up to current standards.