The key parties involved in electrical work besides the client and the electrical contractor are the electrical designer, the wholesaler supplying installation material, suppliers of equipment and systems (manufacturer of distribution boards, air conditioning equipment, automation, etc.), subcontractors, if any and, at larger sites, the authorised inspector or inspection body. In the repair of electrical appliances, the manufacturer’s instructions play a key role.
Electrical contractor in this context means an operator as referred to in the Electrical Safety Act who carries out electrical work subject to notification of operations. Electrical contractors may be enterprises or natural persons. In the context of this description, electrical contracting is deemed to include both electrical installation work and repair of electrical appliances.
Contractor with certification rights
Where Tukes has granted certification rights to the electrical contractor, no external inspection is required for the installations carried out by the contractor (except for installations of category 3a).
Electrical designer
Electrical design was subject to qualification requirements in the same manner as electrical contracting prior to 1996. Although formal qualification requirements no longer apply, electrical installation work according to electrical design must naturally still meet electrical safety requirements.
Electrical contractors often acquire the necessary materials and equipment via wholesale traders of electrical equipment. Manufacturers and importers are obliged to attend to the safety of the products they supply. In the event of any doubt as to the appropriateness of material or equipment, electrical contractors should ask to see the Manufacturer’s Assurance as specified in the Low Voltage Directive or another similar declaration of the product’s safety and conformity.
Equipment suppliers or system suppliers in this context refer to e.g. suppliers of kitchen equipment, manufacturers of distribution boards or suppliers of larger units such as air conditioning, automation, etc. Depending on circumstances, the electrical contractor may be responsible for such deliveries in full or the client may acquire them from a third party and only use the contractor's services for installation. Electrical contractors shall ascertain the safety and appropriateness of equipment and systems delivered as necessary.
Should an electrical contractor employ subcontractors for parts of an undertaking, the interfaces of all elements of the undertaking should be carefully considered and responsibilities allocated accordingly. In addition, special attention should be paid to ensuring on-site electrical safety if persons from several enterprises work on the same undertaking. Subcontractors for electrical work shall possess their own electrical contracting licenses.
Certification inspections at the commissioning stage are carried out by authorised inspection bodies and authorised inspectors licensed by Tukes. A list of inspectors is available on the Tukes website.
Clients are parties who order the electrical installation work. Orders may be placed by private individuals or companies. If they so desire, clients may consult the register of electrical contractors on the Tukes website to ensure that the party carrying out the electrical work holds a license as prescribed in the Electrical Safety Act.