Technical terms

Here are some of the main technical terms you're likely to come across when dealing with electricians:

Installation - This refers to the complete electrical system in your home or workplace. It is also the term for putting the electrical systems into a house or property that is being built from scratch.

Rewiring - This is the term for removing your existing electrical installation and putting in new sockets, wires, lights and consumer unit (fuse box). These should be checked on change of occupancy, or inspected and tested at least once every 5 - 10 years.

Fault-finding - Your lights and power sockets might not be working or the fuse is tripping. Light bulbs may blow frequently. Or the entire house doesn't have power. Something's going wrong with your electrics somewhere, we'll conduct a methodical inspection to find the fault. Sometimes what looks like a minor problem can be a symptom of a serious safety failing, so please don't take chances.

Inspection and Testing - This includes a review of your installation, and testing of a sample of lighting and power points to check whether the requirements of British Standard 7671 are met. At the end of an inspection and testing session you will either receive a report that your installation passes, or, if it fails, a list of things that need to be done to put it right. Testing can only be carried out by a competent electrician such as an NICEIC Approved Contractor.