When was the last time you thought about the hidden wires running through your walls? For most of us, electricity is a silent utility we take for granted—until something goes wrong.
Whether you are a business owner ensuring the safety of your staff, a landlord meeting legal obligations, or a homeowner looking for peace of mind, professional electrical testing is the only way to ensure your systems are safe and compliant.
At SCV Electrical, we understand that electrical safety isn’t just about ticking boxes; it’s about protecting people and property. Our team of qualified electricians, with the ability to conduct safe and compliant electrical work, provides comprehensive electrical testing services across London, identifying potential faults before they become dangerous hazards.
From routine inspections to detailed condition reports, we ensure your electrical installations meet the highest standards of safety and efficiency.
We are committed to delivering tailored electrical solutions and services to our clients, ensuring ongoing compliance and satisfaction. Our focus on quality means you can trust our electrical testing services to be thorough, reliable, and in line with all regulations.
In this guide, we will explore everything you need to know about electrical testing, why it is critical for compliance, and how our expert team can help you maintain a safe environment.
Electrical testing involves the thorough inspection and testing of electrical installations and appliances to ensure they are safe for use. Electrical testing addresses multiple aspects of safety, functionality, and compliance within an electrical system. Over time, all electrical installations deteriorate due to wear and tear, corrosion, and general usage.
Without regular checks, and without following the correct testing sequence, these deteriorating systems can pose significant risks, including electric shocks and fire hazards. Having a thorough understanding of electrical hazards and testing procedures is essential to ensure safety and compliance.
You wouldn’t drive a car for years without an MOT, and your electrical systems are no different. Electrical inspection and testing (often referred to as periodic inspection) is the process of checking the condition of an existing electrical installation against the UK standard for the safety of electrical installations, BS 7671.
Regular testing serves several vital purposes:
By investing in electrical safety testing, you are proactively managing the risks associated with electricity, ensuring a safe environment for everyone who uses your property.
At SCV Electrical, we offer a full range of electrical testing services tailored to meet the specific needs of our diverse London clientele. We provide specialised electrical testing services for various industry sectors, including retail shops and manufacturing sites, ensuring our solutions are suitable for different industrial environments.
Whether you manage a large commercial facility or a single rental property, we are committed to delivering high-quality service and have the expertise to assist you.
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is an in-depth inspection of your property’s electrical systems. It is the gold standard for electrical safety checks. During an EICR, our engineers inspect the consumer unit (fuse board), wiring, outlets, and earthing to assess the overall condition of the installation.
All inspections are carried out in accordance with official guidance such as BS7671 and IEE wiring regulations to ensure compliance with current electrical safety standards.
Who needs an EICR?
The report will highlight any defects or non-compliances, graded by severity, giving you a clear roadmap for any necessary remedial work.
Commercial environments often have complex electrical demands. Offices, retail spaces, warehouses, and industrial units all rely heavily on electricity to function. A power failure here doesn’t just mean the lights go out; it can mean lost revenue, data corruption, and halted production.
Our commercial electrical testing services are designed to be as non-intrusive as possible.
We work around your business hours to minimise downtime and disruption. We ensure that all testing is conducted in suitable conditions to maintain safety and compliance with relevant standards. We help you comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, ensuring that your workplace remains safe for staff and visitors alike.
Our domestic electrical testing services cover everything from small flats to large detached houses.
We frequently support:
It is not just the fixed wiring that needs checking; the equipment you plug in matters too. Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) involves the examination of electrical appliances and equipment to ensure they are safe to use.
It is essential that PAT testing is carried out by individuals with adequate knowledge and experience, as expert understanding is crucial for ensuring safety and compliance during electrical testing.
While PAT testing is not a strict legal requirement in itself, the law does require that employers ensure electrical equipment is maintained in order to prevent danger. PAT testing is the most effective way to demonstrate this. We inspect everything from kettles and monitors in offices to power tools on construction sites, providing you with a full asset register and pass/fail labels for every item.
Electrical safety is a universal requirement, but specific responsibilities vary depending on your role. Electrical inspection and testing are concerned with ensuring adherence to safety standards and regulatory compliance to address potential safety issues.
If you rent out a property, electrical safety is not optional. You are legally required to ensure the electrical installation is safe when a tenant moves in and maintained in a safe condition throughout the tenancy. Failure to comply can lead to hefty fines and invalidates your insurance. We work closely with letting agents and private landlords to manage these cycles efficiently.
You have a duty of care to your employees and the public. Regular commercial electrical testing demonstrates compliance with the Electricity at Work Regulations. It also helps in predictive maintenance—fixing a loose connection during a scheduled test is far cheaper than an emergency call-out when the power fails during a busy shift.
Homeowners often overlook electrical testing until a problem arises. However, identifying wear and tear early can prevent expensive emergency repairs. If you live in an older property, or if you have had DIY work done in the past, a professional inspection is the best way to ensure your family’s safety.
Factories and industrial plants have high-load electrical systems that undergo significant stress. Our industrial testing services are robust and thorough, designed to cope with complex three-phase installations and heavy machinery.
With so many contractors in London, why should you trust SCV Electrical with your safety?
1. Qualified & Certified: Our electricians are fully qualified and hold current certifications. We invest in ongoing training to stay up-to-date with the latest amendments to BS 7671 wiring regulations.
2. NICEIC Approved: As an NICEIC-approved contractor, our work is regularly assessed to ensure high standards. This gives you the assurance that our testing is accurate, honest, and technically sound.
3. Clear, Actionable Reports: We don’t just hand you a confusing technical document. Our reports are written in plain English where possible, with a clear summary of findings. If we find faults, we explain exactly what is wrong and provide a transparent quote to fix it.
4. Fast Turnaround: We know that sometimes you need a certificate urgently—perhaps for a new tenant moving in or a property sale completing. We aim to turn around reports quickly without compromising on detail.
5. Transparent Pricing: We believe in honest pricing. You will receive a clear quote upfront, so there are no nasty surprises when the invoice arrives.
We believe in keeping things simple and transparent. Here is what you can expect when you book with us:
1. Initial Consultation
We start by discussing your needs. Are you a landlord needing an EICR? A business needing PAT testing? We will ask about the size of the property and the number of circuits to provide an accurate quote.
2. On-Site Electrical Testing
Our engineer will arrive at the scheduled time. They will need access to your consumer unit and various outlets throughout the property. For an EICR, power will need to be turned off for short periods to test the circuits safely—we will coordinate this with you to minimise disruption. Electrical testing is carried out both before and after connecting to the supply, as some tests require the supply to be connected to ensure correct operation or to meet technical and safety requirements.
3. Detailed Inspection & Assessment
We perform visual inspections to check for breakage, wear, and signs of overheating. We then use calibrated test equipment to take readings that reveal the health of the unseen wiring. For new installations, specific testing procedures are followed to ensure safety and compliance with current regulations.
4. Clear Written Report & Certification
Once the data is collated, you receive your report. If everything is safe, you get a “Satisfactory” certificate immediately.
5. Remedial Work (If Required)
If the report comes back “Unsatisfactory,” do not panic. We will detail the specific codes (C1, C2, or C3) indicating the level of danger and provide a quote to rectify the issues. Once the work is done, we issue the final certificate.
Navigating the legal landscape of electrical safety can be daunting, but it is crucial for avoiding liability.
The overarching legislation in the UK is the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, which places a duty of care on employers and the self-employed.
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 expands on this, requiring that all electrical systems be constructed and maintained so as to prevent danger.
For landlords, the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 are specific. You must:
A periodic electrical inspection is essential for meeting these legal standards, as it involves routine assessment of electrical installations to ensure ongoing compliance with regulations such as the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989. Periodic testing is a key part of this process, helping landlords maintain safety and compliance through scheduled evaluations of their electrical systems.
Compliance isn’t just about avoiding fines; it is often a condition of your building insurance. If a fire is caused by an electrical fault and you cannot prove the system was maintained, your insurer may refuse to pay out.
SCV Electrical is proud to serve the Greater London area. We provide local electrical testing services to:
Whether you are based in a high-rise office in the City or a Victorian terrace in Ealing, our team is local and ready to assist.
For homeowners, every 10 years. For landlords, every 5 years or at a change of tenancy. Commercial businesses generally require an EICR every 5 years, though this can vary based on the type of premises (e.g., industrial sites or swimming pools require more frequent testing). Fixed wire testing is a key part of these comprehensive electrical inspections to ensure ongoing safety and regulatory compliance.
Yes, for landlords and employers. Landlords must follow the 2020 Regulations. Employers must comply with the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989. While not a statutory law for homeowners, it is critical for safety. The legal necessity of testing also depends on the intended use of the property, such as whether it is a commercial building or a rental property.
This depends on the size of the property. A one-bedroom flat might take 2-3 hours, while a large commercial office could take significantly longer. We can provide a time estimate when you book.
Costs vary based on the number of circuits and the size of the premises. We offer competitive, fixed-price quotes so you know exactly what to expect. Contact us for a bespoke price.
Yes. Upon completion of the testing, you will receive an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). This serves as your certificate of safety (or highlights areas for improvement). The inspection covers switches, along with other components of the fixed electrical installation.
Don’t wait for a flicker, a spark, or a power cut to think about your electrical safety. Protect your tenants, your employees, and your property with professional testing from trusted experts.
Whether you need a comprehensive EICR, commercial compliance testing, or a simple safety check, SCV Electrical is here to help, contact us today.
If you’re looking for an Electrical Contractor for commercial or domestic electrical works, then look no further than SCV Electrical.
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