Employers have a duty of care to provide safe working conditions, and landlords must ensure their properties are safe for tenants, and it goes without saying that that includes electrical safety.
If a fuse board frequently trips, it’s a sign of an electrical fault and should be investigated promptly to protect everyone who’s using the building.
Why do electrical circuits trip?
As mentioned, a tripped circuit is usually caused by an electrical fault of some sort. Some issues are easy to identify and fix, while others will require a qualified electrician with specialist diagnostic equipment.
Common causes include:
- Overloaded circuits
- Blown light bulbs
- Water in exterior electrical fittings
- Incorrect DIY electrical installations
- Faulty heating controls or appliances
- Misused or overused appliances
- Faulty appliance connections
- Too many appliances running at once
Sometimes, simply switching the tripped fuse back on will restore the power. However, if an underlying fault exists, the issue will keep recurring and should be inspected by an electrician.
The role of PAT Testing and Fixed Wire Testing in commercial properties
To meet legal obligations under the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Provision & Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, electrical equipment must be inspected and recorded through Portable Appliance Testing (or PAT) testing. PAT testing follows the IET Code of Practice for the In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment (5th Edition).
Fixed wire testing, on the other hand, inspects a building’s entire electrical installation. After testing has been carried out, property owners receive an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), ensuring compliance with the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and confirming that all the wiring is safe.
Both types of testing are vital to preventing electrical fires, injuries and other safety risks.
At MS Electrical, we offer out-of-hours fixed wire testing to minimise disruption and send reminders when your next inspection is due, helping you stay compliant. Contact us to book your PAT testing or fixed wire testing, or to request a no-obligation quotation.