FAQ

No person may do electrical installation work as an electrical contractor unless that person has been registered as an electrical contractor in terms of the electrical installation regulations of 2009. In order to register as an electrical contractor the following is mandatory:

Have a fixed address and a telephone; and employ a registered person in a full-time capacity, or be a registered person yourself.

Any natural person satisfying the requirements may be registered as an electrical tester for single phase (single phase tester), an installation electrician (any electrical installation excluding specialised ie; flammable/hazardous/medical/explosive), or a master installation electrician (any electrical installation).  A registered person shall on request produce his or her certificate of registration to an inspector, an approved inspection authority for electrical installations, a supplier or any person to whom he or she intends to issue a certificate of compliance, so you’re within your right to demand such identification.

A coc shall remain valid provided no alterations have been made to the electrical installation since such certificate has been issued. In terms of selling property, the user or lessor may not allow a change of ownership if the certificate of compliance is older than two years.

An approved inspection authority for electrical installations. 

The chief inspector may approve any person that has been accredited by the accreditation authority (SANAS) as an approved inspection authority for electrical installations.

An approved inspection authority for electrical installations may enter premises and conduct an inspection, test or investigation only when:
a)
contracted by the chief inspector or provincial director for a specific electrical installation; or
(b)
requested by the user or lessor of an electrical installation to do so.

Where the voltage exceeds 1 kV (1000 Volts), a person deemed competent in terms of paragraphs (b), (c) or (d) of the definition of a competent person in regulation 1 of the General Machinery Regulations, 1988, or a person registered in a professional category in terms of the Engineering Profession Act, 2000, shall approve the design of that part of an electrical installation.

GMR 1988 1(b),(c) or (d) competent person would be:

(b) Holder of N6 or S4 Diploma; (c) Holder of Engineering Degree; (d) Certificated Engineer / GCC Holder. Qualifications should be in electrical or mechanical engineering. Competent persons (b) and (c) should have a minimum of two years appropriate experience post qualification.

A registered professional would be:

Any natural person registered with ECSA as: Professional Engineering Technician; Professional Engineering Technologist; Professional Engineer; Professional Certificated Engineer. Qualifications should be in electrical or mechanical engineering.

Where the intention is to supply five or more users from a new point of supply, the user shall appoint an approved inspection authority for electrical installations or a person deemed competent in terms of paragraph (b), (c) or (d)
of the definition of a competent person in regulation 1 of the General Machinery Regulations, 1988, or a person registered in a professional category in terms of the Engineering Profession Act, 2000, who shall ensure the compliance from the commencement to the commissioning of the electrical installation.