Electrical Installation Inspection
Periodic inspection of electrical installations detects insulation faults, overloads and ageing damage before they cause fires or outages, and is a recurring statutory and insurance requirement in many jurisdictions.
Hazard picture
Electrical installations age unobtrusively: terminals loosen, insulation becomes brittle, protective devices lose coordination or are compromised by structural changes. These defects usually stay unnoticed during normal operation, yet they are among the most frequent fire causes in commercial and industrial buildings. Without systematic inspection, the risk remains hidden until a loss occurs.
Inspection regime
Recurring inspection covers visual, measurement and functional checks of distribution boards, wiring, protective devices and earthing against recognised engineering rules. In Switzerland, the Low-Voltage Installation Ordinance (NIV) prescribes inspection cycles of one to twenty years depending on the hazard potential of the occupancy; inspections are carried out by independent, accredited bodies and documented through a safety certificate. In addition, insurers inspect safety-relevant, higher-hazard installation parts under clause SK 3602.
Insurance relevance
A complete inspection record is a key indicator for property and electronic equipment insurers that a risk is systematically managed. Missing or overdue inspections are treated as a warning sign during risk surveys and can jeopardise indemnification if an omitted inspection point contributed to the loss.
Standards and codes
- VdS 3447 – Guidance Note on the Inspection of Electrical Installations under Clause SK 3602