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Why and When You Need a Certificate of Electrical Safety

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Why and When You Need a Certificate of Electrical Safety

All electrical work in Australia must comply with stringent safety standards. This is what you need to know about a certificate of electrical safety.

We all know that working with electrics can be deadly. In fact, 76 people die every year in Australia due to electrical injuries.

Instead of dangerously tinkering with electrics yourself, you should call for professional help. But how do you know if an electrician is qualified to do their job? And how do you know if they’ve completed the work safely?

It all comes down to a simple certificate—an electrical compliance certificate.

So, what’s it all about? Read on to find out all you need to know about a certificate of electrical safety.

What Is a Certificate of Electrical Safety?

An electrical safety certificate is a guarantee that the work complies with the safety standards of Australia. Only registered electrical contractors can issue the safety certificate. This means when you receive it, you know the hired electrician is a professional, not a rogue trader.

It is a legal requirement to have one. All electricians working in Australia must give you an electrical compliance certificate after completing a job. If they don’t, they could receive a fine. Offences under the Electricity Reform Act 2000 may result in fines ranging from 10 penalty units ($1540.00) to 200 penalty units ($30,800.00).

It really is THAT important.

What Does a Safety Certificate Include?

Check the safety certificate for these things:

  • Certificate number and barcode
  • Customer name and address
  • Date of the work
  • Details of work and tests
  • Electrician’s license number
  • Electrical contractor’s license number
  • Signature of electrician

As of 2019, the state discontinued paper certificates. This means the safety certificate will be in electronic form.

When Do You Need a Safety Certificate?

When do you need a safety certificate? It’s needed any time a licensed electrician does electrical work on your home. It also applies if the electrical work is for commercial or industrial purposes.

Whether you’re performing a new power point or an air conditioning unit installation, you need an electrical safety certificate because a spark that ignites a fire could start from any faulty electrical system in your home. All your electrics need a guarantee to prove they’re safe and sound.

What If You Don’t Have an Electrical Safety Certificate for Recent Work?

Before any work starts, ask your electrician about the certificate. If they refuse to give one to you, don’t hire them. It’s not worth the risk, even if they offer to do the job cheaper.

But if you’ve already had electrical work done and you didn’t receive a certificate, what can you do? Go back to your electrician and ask for the certificate. It may just be an honest mistake on their part, after all.

If they don’t provide you with an electrical certificate, find a licensed electrician to check out the work. This will give you peace of mind that your electrics are safe and sound.

Don’t Gamble with Safety

Yes, make sure you receive a certificate of electrical safety whenever anyone completes electrical work in your home. Don’t gamble with safety. If you do, you’re playing with your life and the lives of your family too.

If you’re in the Darwin area, look no further. Our well-trained team at Florance Electrical have all the required safety procedures in place. Find out more about our services right 24/7 electrical services.