When dealing with all the problems homeowners face, getting a Certificate of Compliance from an electrician might not be high on your list of priorities. But do you actually know what this certificate is used for and why it is important to have one? 

It’s very important if you’re considering renovating, building, or selling a property. Keep reading to learn more.

What Is an Electrical Certificate of Compliance?

An Electrical Certificate of Compliance (ECOC) is a legal document that indicates electrical installations are compliant with all the legal requirements as stipulated in the Electrical Installations Occupational Health and Safety Act of South Africa. 

In simpler terms, an electrician comes out to your property to assess if your electrical installations are safe and legal.

Once an electrician has inspected your property and tested the wiring, you’ll be issued with an electrical compliance certificate. The certificate indicates that:

• all your electrical circuits are healthy and functioning correctly
• your premises is free from any potential electric shock risks and fire hazards
• your premises is free from any defective electrical work
• that your premises has been correctly earthed and bonded

While it might be a hassle to get an ECOC, the certificate is valid for the lifetime of the electrical installation. So unless alterations are made to your current installations, or you have anything new installed, you will be covered for life. 

However, as soon as alterations are made, you will need a new ECOC.

Who Needs a Certificate of Compliance?

Before you can put a property on the market, it’s crucial that all electrical elements be inspected to ensure they don’t need to be removed or fixed. Acquiring a certificate before you start the process of selling a home will save you a tonne of time later, since you can get things fixed without needing to rush. 

It’s also important to note that if you have electrical fencing installed, you will need a separate Electrical Fence System Compliance Certificate before you can consider selling.

Why Do I Really Need a Certificate of Compliance?

Did you know that just like water, electricity can leak? While a water leak might not sound like the most pressing issue, an electrical leakage can be extremely dangerous. Not only can you injure yourself, but it could lead to an electrical fire.

By having your property inspected to ensure that it is compliant, you’ll find out about any electrical leaks, and you can fix them before they become a problem.

Hire an Electrician Today

Getting your Certificate of Compliance sorted sooner rather than later will save you a lot of headaches in the future. Not only does this certificate ensure that you can put your property on the market, but it also gives you peace of mind that the electrical elements of your home are safe.

Book one of our skilled electricians to get your property certified today!