Whether you’re undertaking a commercial or industrial electrical project, it is likely that you’ll have some questions for your electrical contractor before they start their work. We’ve put together our answers for some of the most common questions we get asked. 

What is it that electrical contractors do?

An electrical contractor can refer to an individual or a business that carries out work related to electrical systems. This can include maintenance, design and installation for an indoor or outdoor premise.

What services do the electrical contractors at Highland Services offer?

The electrical contractors at Highland Services have a huge range of commercial and industrial electrical experience. The services our team can provide cover everything from tests and inspections, warehouse lighting and data cabling to a complete factory supply and system installation.  

Electrician working on circuit board

What’s the best way to find a local electrical contractor?

There are a number of ways to find a quality electrical contractor and word of mouth is a great place to start - asking your friends and family for recommendations will ensure you choose someone with a good reputation. You can also look at electrical contractors which have been labelled as competent in your area.

How should you choose a reliable electrical contractor?

When choosing an electrical contractor to work on your project, you should ensure they have the necessary qualifications and certifications. They should also have high safety standards and offer you a fair quote with a realistic timeline for the works to be completed. 

Making sure they have access to quality equipment and have positive testimonials and reviews are other good indicators for a reliable electrical contractor. For a more indepth look at how to choose a contractor take a look at our dedicated blog.

What does NICEIC mean?

Any electrical contractor with an NICEIC certification has been checked for compliance and conformity to strict standards and regulations. This is done through testing, assessment of work and verification. Companies that are NICEIC approved are also confirmed to have high quality equipment and all work done is recorded to the best standard. 

Highland Services are NICEIC approved and therefore you can expect the highest quality results. You can find out more about our electrical accreditations on our accreditations page.

What is an ECA

ECA stands for the Electrical Contractors Association. As members of the ECA our electricians have access to specialist services such as technical support, business support, and webinars to help increase industry knowledge and professionalism.

Can I do electrical work myself? 

If you are competent, there are certain tasks which are completely safe to do yourself. Less complex tasks such as wiring a plug can be done without risk, however, more complicated tasks such as modifying an electrical installation will require a licensed professional that is able to satisfy the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989.

Electrician inspecting fuse box


What causes circuit breakers to trip?

This is a safety response and knowing your circuit breaker is working is a good sign. Having too many electrical appliances working from one socket can cause a circuit to trip in order to prevent an electrical fire. In order to prevent circuits tripping you should try to distribute your power usage among different circuits.

When does a building need to be rewired?

There is no set time for this, old wiring doesn’t necessarily mean unsafe wiring. There are lots of factors that can affect the speed of wear and tear on your wiring, from usage of your electrical system to the part and materials used to make it. 

Though there is no set time to rewire a property, it is recommended that an inspection be carried out every 10 years (or 5 years for residential or commercial rental properties). This test will let you know if the property needs to be rewired.

Why do fuses blow?

A fuse can blow when too many appliances are plugged into one circuit, when a power surge occurs, or if a fuse is old and needs to be replaced. Again, a blown fuse can be a good thing as it is used as a safety precaution, breaking the circuit, helping to prevent a fire. 

Various electrician tools laid out on table

What is a PAT test?

PAT stands for Portable Appliance Test which is when an electrical appliance is tested for safety with electronic tests and visual inspections. These should only be carried out by an electrician with the necessary knowledge, skill and experience in order to avoid harm. If you have more questions about PAT testing get in touch with Highland Services today.

When should a PAT test be done?

This is dependent on many factors such as the risk factor of the environment the electrical equipment is being used in, the electrical class of the appliance or the category of the appliance. Along with this, the age of the device should be taken into account, the history of the item and if any modifications have been made.

Call Highland Services on 01656 720 330 to discuss your business’s electrical needs or get in touch via our website today. We operate in Cardiff, Swansea, Bridgend, Newport and many other locations across South Wales.

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