What Factors Should Be Considered in an Electrical Installation?
Electricity is an essential element in modern life. Without electricity to power our day-to-day Iives, society would look very different. Thankfully, electricity is an established presence in our lives, and it isn’t going anywhere soon. Accordingly, electrical installations are commonplace in our homes and businesses, but we don’t necessarily know too much about them.
What is an Electrical Installation?
Electricity is carried by wiring and, as such, wiring is at the heart of all electrical installations. But electricity and wiring are complex components. Therefore, there’s a little more to electrical installations than just wiring and a power supply. Crucially, it’s important to distinguish between electrical products – such as a television – and an electrical installation. A television, for example, will be served by an electrical installation. But what exactly do we mean by electrical installation?
An electrical installation is the process whereby electrical wiring along with electric outputs are installed in buildings. This provides a power source for electrical products and, typically, these are installed during construction or renovation projects. The installation process, however, does not refer simply to the power supply and the electrical wiring. It also refers to the labour involved in planning and completing such a project.
Electrical Installation Requirements
Electrical installations should always be safe, but the involvement of electricity and its many dangers means that this needs to be guaranteed. And this is why there are a number of specific requirements associated with electrical installations.
The BS 7671 UK wiring regulations is the national standard by which all electrical installations must be measured. These requirements have been developed to ensure that electrical installations can be deemed safe to use. The regulations cover a series of periodic tests and inspections which must be carried out to satisfy the BS 7671 requirements. Completing these tests successfully will act as proof that your electrical wiring and outlets are considered safe against electric shock and fire risks.
Once a BS 7671 inspection on a new installation has been completed successfully, an electrical installation certificate can be issued. This certificate will deem an electrical installation as safe to use for up to five years.
How to Choose the Right Electrical Contractor
Electrical installations need to be installed by professionals, you can’t just watch a YouTube video and do it yourself! But it’s vital that you choose the right contractor, so make sure you consider the following:
- Get Quotations: Your budget is an essential part of any electrical installation project, so one of your first steps should be to get quotations. Speak to several different contractors to get a selection of prices and to understand which ones will satisfy your budget.
- Always Check Credentials: A contractor with credentials is infinitely better than a contractor with no credentials. These credentials will demonstrate that the electrical contractor is qualified to complete electrical installations and that they have been accredited by a professional body.
- Ask About their Experience: Don’t be afraid to ask an electrical contractor about their experience when it comes to electrical installations. Any good contractor will be more than happy to discuss previous projects and provide references so that you can verify their word.
- Get Recommendations: Your network of friends and family can prove invaluable when it comes to choosing a suitable contractor. It’s likely that people in your network will have undertaken similar projects, so their recommendations can be highly useful when it comes to making a decision.
Electrical Installation Surveys
We offer free surveys on electrical installation projects. Likewise in certain cases we are also able to undertake these remotely via Microsoft Teams or Zoom
Contact NM Cabling for a free review 01923 888588
