Minor electrical certificate

Hi guys. I'm planning on starting my own business. In propertys and shops in maintenance. One of my jobs will be mirror works such as replacing damaged plug sockets and maybe replaying pir security lighting. I've been working for years in company's doing jobs like this but having my own business I'd like to know what paper work I need to give to the customer. I'm not a registered electrician. Do I and can I fill out a minor electrical works certificate without being a registered electrician and if not then wat would I need to do?
Thanks guys

Stephen

anyone can write an MWC/EIC/EICR

Have you got suitable test gear?

If replacing like for like, I would argue issuing MWC is not really needed albeit it's good practice to do so.

I believe anyone can fill out a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate (MEIWC). There are no legal requirements and you do not have to be a registered electrician. However, the problem occurs when a problem occurs. Excuse the unintentional pun.

If there is ever a problem with the work you have carried out and this causes a fire or injures or kills someone, your certificate will be scrutinised. It will then be up to you to prove that you are a 'skilled or instructed' person (this is the wording in BS7671 now instead of 'competent' person). The best way of showing this is to be a registered electrical installer (i.e with Napit or NICEIC). I'm not saying you have to be, but I'm sure it would stand very well in your favour in a court.

My personal opinion is that you should only be filling out electrical certificates if you are an electrician.

I preferred the old MWC's!

Doing a basic Zs is always a good idea as part of the change. Not only does it check the property is earthed it also helps confirm polarity.

Best make sure your business insurance covers you for all the tasks you think you will be doing

Murdoch said:

Doing a basic Zs is always a good idea as part of the change. Not only does it check the property is earthed it also helps confirm polarity.

Best make sure your business insurance covers you for all the tasks you think you will be doing

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That's the first thing I starting learning when I saw the M. E. C temple. I do have a MFT but only used for very basic tasks. Do you recommend any good courses for MFT users and testing.?

Thank you

Stephen

binky said:

Have you got suitable test gear?

If replacing like for like, I would argue issuing MWC is not really needed albeit it's good practice to do so.

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Calibrated test gear

Murdoch said:

Calibrated test gear

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Hi, yes calibrated MFT, other equipment lock out kit, voltage tester and proofing unit ect

Stephen Munt said:

Hi, yes calibrated MFT, other equipment lock out kit, voltage tester and proofing unit ect

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Ok so you've got all the right gear, practice using it around your house.

Thanks guys for your help

You also need to understand the results and whether they are within correct parameters.

Stephen Munt said:

.Do you recommend any good courses for MFT users and testing.

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You should watch the entire youtube playlist from John Ward on testing. It's excellent.
Only experience and fighting encountering endless dodgy installations can teach you what to do when questionable numbers come up on the screen though!

From your original and subsequent posts your qualification level isn't clear, if you have been doing the work you are proposing while working for other companies what testing and certification have you carried out to support those jobs

Stephen Munt said:

I do have a MFT but only used for very basic tasks.

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What are you defining as basic tasks

Stephen Munt said:

Do you recommend any good courses for MFT users and testing.?

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Testing with separate test instruments or an MFT is much the same in terms of process and both require skill and underpinning knowledge to get the best out of them whether that is the correct selection / choice of test equipment the or the setup of the instrument to optimise the results that are obtained. I am not aware of any courses that specifically deal the with selection or setup of test equipment unless the manufacturers do it. I know some test equipment manufacturers ocassionally link up with distributors to offer ½ day or full day courses on a particular tester but I can't recall any involving MFT's. The other factor with any course in this area is they generally require a good understanding of the principles of electrical testing

The C&G 2391 course would be the obvious go to for testing the only problem with that course is finding an establishment that actually does some teaching and doesn't just sit you in front of a mountain of past test questions to learn the answers

HappyHippyDad said:

I believe anyone can fill out a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate (MEIWC).

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BS7671 has an MWC, EICR & EICR. why complicate thigns making up another certificate name

It's changed from that @Andy™ . It changed a few years back from a MWC to a MEIWC. Either in 2018 or 2022.
It's now a more expansive form than the MWC with an annoyingly long title.
See Appendix 6 BS7671 2018 (2022) page 513.

HappyHippyDad said:

It's changed from that @Andy™ . It changed a few years back from a MWC to a MEIWC. Either in 2018 or 2022.
It's now a more expansive form than the MWC with an annoyingly long title.
See Appendix 6 BS7671 2018 (2022) page 513.

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good old people sitting at an office desk constantly changing the name of something just to justify their jobs... if it aint broke, don't fix it

just looked and i did change the name on the top of my MWC's. thankfully i don't have to write many of them out....

Andy™ said:

If it aint broke, don't fix it

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Unfortunately things have this habit of evolving...

I sometimes wonder what would happen if the completion certificate (equivalent to EIC) from the 14th edition came back.
I suspect many people would certify work as it would barely take any time to do.
The danger is things would get certified without the testing actually happening as there was no requirement to record pertinent results, the statement is basically "I tested it according to the regs and it was all fine".

Tim Howard said:

Unfortunately things have this habit of evolving...

I sometimes wonder what would happen if the completion certificate (equivalent to EIC) from the 14th edition came back.
I suspect many people would certify work as it would barely take any time to do.
The danger is things would get certified without the testing actually happening as there was no requirement to record pertinent results, the statement is basically "I tested it according to the regs and it was all fine".
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It didn't go bang when I turned it on thats the testing done

I didn't fill that many of them in before the 15th edition came along

Ref the minor works certificate. I'm trying to find a download form so I can practice but there are a few different ones. Is it the bs 7671 2008 or the one with the extra +a2:2022? Also is there different formats and layouts that are acceptable.

It will be the 2018+a2:2022