Minor electrical certificate

Stephen Munt · Sep 14, 2024

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

Andy™ · Sep 14, 2024

anyone can write an MWC/EIC/EICR

binky · Sep 14, 2024

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.

HappyHippyDad · Sep 14, 2024

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!

Murdoch · Sep 14, 2024

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

Stephen Munt · Sep 14, 2024

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

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

Murdoch · Sep 14, 2024

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.

Calibrated test gear

Stephen Munt · Sep 14, 2024

Murdoch said:
Calibrated test gear

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

binky · Sep 14, 2024

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

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

Stephen Munt · Sep 14, 2024

Thanks guys for your help

Fleeting · Sep 14, 2024

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

Tim Howard · Sep 14, 2024

Stephen Munt said:
.Do you recommend any good courses for MFT users and testing.

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!

UNG · Sep 15, 2024

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.

What are you defining as basic tasks

Stephen Munt said:
Do you recommend any good courses for MFT users and testing.?

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

Andy™ · Sep 15, 2024

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

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

HappyHippyDad · Sep 15, 2024

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.

Andy™ · Sep 15, 2024

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.

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....

Tim Howard · Sep 15, 2024

Andy™ said:
If it aint broke, don't fix it

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".

UNG · Sep 15, 2024

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".
View attachment 17059

View attachment 17060

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

Stephen Munt · Sep 15, 2024

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.

UNG · Sep 15, 2024

It will be the 2018+a2:2022

Minor electrical certificate

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