Inspection & Testing Flashcards

Who is competent to issue an Electrical Installation Certificate?

Answer: A competent person who designed, constructed and tested the installation (or who verified it), holding appropriate qualifications and registered with a Competent Person scheme if for notifiable work

An EIC may only be issued by a competent person who has sufficient knowledge and experience to verify the installation; for Part P notifiable work, they must also be registered with a Competent Person scheme.

What is the minimum information that must appear on an Electrical Installation Certificate?

Answer: Details of the installation (address, description), the engineer's details, declaration of design/construction/verification compliance, and signatures of those responsible for each element

An EIC must include installation address and description, details of the engineer(s) responsible for design, construction and verification, a declaration of compliance with BS 7671, and signatures confirming each element.

What is the key difference between an EIC and a MEIWC?

Answer: An EIC covers new complete or significant alterations to installations (with full schedules); an MEIWC covers minor additions/alterations to existing circuits (a simpler single document)

An EIC with full schedules is required for new installations or significant alterations; an MEIWC is a simpler single document sufficient for minor additions to existing circuits (not new circuits or CU replacements).

What is the purpose of retaining original EICs and MeIWCs for a property?

Answer: They provide a historical record of the installation, help future inspectors understand the installation, are required for insurance and conveyancing, and support warranty and liability claims

Electrical installation certificates form part of the property's legal records; they are needed for insurance, property sales (conveyancing), future inspection and testing (as baseline data), and resolving any disputes or liability issues.

What is required when a new circuit is added to an existing installation?

Answer: A new circuit must be notified under Part P and an EIC issued for the new circuit; the existing installation must be assessed to confirm it is capable of safely accommodating the new load

Adding a new circuit is notifiable work under Part P; an EIC must be issued, covering the new circuit. The existing supply, main fuse, earthing and bonding should be assessed to ensure they can support the added load.

What is the NICEIC and what role does it play in the UK electrical industry?

Answer: National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting — a government-approved operator of the Part P Competent Person scheme and industry quality assurance body

NICEIC is a leading industry body and government-approved Competent Person scheme operator; it assesses and registers electrical contractors, administers Part P self-certification, and carries out ongoing technical audits of member work.