Working as an electrician is a satisfying and interesting career path, and with high demand among both homeowners and commercial clients, it’s a choice with good prospects. To practice successfully as an independent electrician, you need the appropriate certifications, plus full awareness of the legal regulations that affect the trade. There are opportunities to work in existing domestic, commercial or industrial settings, plus installations in new builds, which is a booming sector at the moment. However, it’s vital to know the electrical regulations for UK practice if you want to operate a safe and compliant business.
Qualifications
Certification is necessary to work effectively as an electrician. You may be able to do some basic work in certain settings with a City and Guilds certificate, even before you achieve your formal electrician qualifications but even then only if supervised by a qualified electrician. Beyond this, the qualifications you need to become fully qualified you will need to achieve one of the following:
- Level 3 Installation Electrician/Maintenace Electrician apprenticeship standard City and Guilds 5357 or
- Level 3 NVQ Diploma In installing Electrotechnical Systems and Equipment (buildings, structures and the environment)
Working Regulations
It is essential to follow the relevant electrical laws and regulations if you want to work legally. Adherence also helps you to get work with reputable employers and clients. There are two main regulatory structures you should observe as an electrician, though only one is a legal obligation. The first, legal standards, as the term suggests, are required by law. They are in place to protect both customers and workers from dangerous practices. The three main legal frameworks for electricians are:
- The Health and Safety At Work Act 1974
- The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
- The Building Act 1984 & 2000
The other type of working regulations are industry standards. These are not legally enforceable but can be used to claim compliance with legislation and are also important indicators of safe and high-quality work, and most contracts will specify to adhere to them. Industry standards are written and approved by nationally recognised bodies such as the HSE and the IET with the aim to ensure legal compliance, consistency and quality across the industry. Knowing which standards apply to you will depend on the nature of your work.
Other Guidance And Registration
There are other HSE-approved guidance documents that you should be aware of. Again, these are not legal requirements but are best practices and guidelines designed to help you, your co-workers and your clients stay safe.
To have your domestic work approved, you’ll need to have it signed off by someone registered with a Competent Scheme Provider. Part P was introduced to The Building Regulations in 2005 and is designed to guarantee the safety of domestic electrical work.
As an independent electrician or small business, it is most likely that you will register with The National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (The NICEIC). This acts as an indication of competence and responsibility and most potential clients will expect you to be registered.
Find Out More
At PTT, we offer a wide range of accredited electrical training courses to help electricians provide a safe and legally compliant service to their customers, establish their professional reputation and be recognised as a qualified ‘Electrician’. To book a place on one of our courses or to find out more, please call 01442 828754 today.
