ABSTRACT
It is a fundamental principle of the IET Wiring Regulations that all electrical installations must meet two basic criteria: first, they must be safe and, second, they must perform their intended function, i.e. they must work. Later, as the electrical industry grew, most electrical installation work was carried out by local electricity boards using time-served tradesmen, who were not hurried by the time and cost pressures experienced by modern electrical contractors. Fast forward to today and people see that modern, highly complicated electrical installations, installed very quickly using teams of installers, many of whom will not be time-served electricians. Inspection and testing has now become an integral part of the work carried out by all electricians. A test meter and a pad of certificates are now as important to an electrician's daily work as are his or her screwdrivers, wire cutters and SDS drill. The ability to undertake inspection and testing is easily within the reach of most electricians.
