Frequently Asked Questions
If You’ve Got Questions. We’ve Got Answers!
No mention is made in legislation regarding the expiry or lapse of the CoC; it remains valid for what it has been issued for. Confusion arises due to the Electrical Installation regulations stating in Regulation 7(5) Subject to the provisions of section 10(4) of the Act, the user or lessor may not allow a change of ownership if the certificate of compliance is older than two years. A CoC remains valid for the lifetime of an installation but excludes maintenance items, and if any alterations have been done to the electrical installation, the owner/lessor must obtain a supplementary CoC according to clause 7(4) which states: Where any addition or alteration has been effected to an electrical installation for which a certificate of compliance was previously issued, the user or lessor of such electrical installation shall obtain a certificate of compliance for at least the addition or alteration.
This can take anything between two and three hours. Be wary if an ‘electrical contractor’ issues a CoC in 30 minutes. Be very suspicious of street pole advertising that offers CoCs for R700 or less. Remember, you get what you pay for! Depending on the location, condition and size of an installation, a legal CoC would cost between R1 500 to R5 000 or more. It’s worth it!
If the electrical contractor is an ECA member, he/she is certainly registered because it is a condition of membership. If an electrical contractor is not a member of the ECA, it is best to ask to see his/her registration certificate from the Department of Labour. If there is any doubt about the registration, take note of the registration number and contact the Department of Labour to verify that the electrical contractor is indeed registered.
No. It is illegal for anyone to interfere with your electrical installation without having the correct qualifications to do so. This qualification is called a ‘wireman’s license’, and only a registered electrician with a wireman’s license may do this type of work, An Electrician should work under the supervision of a registered person.
This is almost a chicken and egg question, but, if you want peace of mind, get a plumber to replace the element and an electrician to connect it correctly. In reality this will not be the most cost-effective solution, so you always have electricians and plumbers that have this crossover knowledge.
Only a Registered Person, employed by/on behalf of a registered electrical contractor may issue a CoC after he/she has inspected and tested the electrical installation and found it to be reasonably safe. If any fault or defect is detected in any part of the electrical installation, the Registered Person must refuse to issue a CoC until that fault or defect has been rectified. Any CoC that has been fraudulently issued by an unregistered electrician is illegal and invalid and could endanger the lives of people and pets and damage or destroy property.
Yes. A CoC must be issued when any alterations are done to an electrical installation. For example, if traditional lighting is replaced by downlights, the electrical contractor must ensure that a valid CoC is issued for that work. Where any addition or alteration has been done to an electrical installation for which a CoC has already been issued, the user or lessor of that electrical installation must get a supplementary CoC for the addition or alteration. Both CoCs must be kept together in a safe place.
The 50kWh is equivalent to energy necessary for basic lighting, small black and white TV, small radio, basic ironing and basic water boiling through an electric kettle for grid-connected consumers.
No. The SANS 10142-1 does not cover Electrical fences, as this is done during a separate inspection (different documentation). Always ask your installation electrician if he can perform this as well.
Yes. Any fixed appliances should have a Switch dis-connector that disconnects the live and the neutral simultaneously within arm’s reach