Restricted & Controlled Electrical Works

Restricted Electrical Works

Restricted Electrical Works under the Electricity Regulation Act 1999, as amended, are defined as electrical works that can only be carried out and must be certified by a Registered Electrical Contractor (REC). Restricted Electrical Works encompass most electrical works in a domestic premise.

From 01 October 2013, anyone wishing to carry out Restricted Electrical Works must be registered with Safe Electric. Parties that carry out Restricted Electrical Works, but are not registered under the Safe Electric scheme, will be subject to prosecution.

Definition of Restricted Electrical Works

As set out in Statutory Instruments, S.I. No. 264 of 2013, Restricted Electrical Works are:

1. the installation, commissioning, inspection and testing of a new Electrical Installation which is fixed, fastened or mounted or otherwise secured so that its position does not change and requires connection or re-connection to the distribution network or the transmission network, as the case may be;
2. the modification, installation or replacement of a Distribution Board including customer tails on either side of the Main Protective Device or of an Electrical Installation in any of the special locations listed in Part 7 of the National Rules for Electrical Installations, as the case may be;
3. the installation or replacement of one or more circuits in an Electrical Installation, including the installation of one or more additional protective devices for such circuits on a Distribution Board; or
4. the inspection, testing or certification of, or reporting on, existing Electrical Installations covered by Chapter 62 of the National Rules for Electrical Installations;

in a Domestic Property.

Restricted Electrical Works does not include:

• Electrical works in potentially explosive atmospheres;
• Electrical works in a Commercial Premises setting including MV and HV connection and installations;
• Electrical works on a construction site;
• Electrical works within exhibitions, shows and stands;
• Electrical works on agricultural and horticultural installations;
• Electrical works on public lighting and associated cabling;
• Minor electrical works which include very small works such as like-for-like replacements (e.g. switches), moving light fittings without affecting the circuit and adding a socket to an existing circuit.

Controlled Electrical Works

Controlled Electrical Works are works that require certification if completed by a REC. Most electrical works in commercial and industrial environments are covered under the scope of Controlled Electrical Works. While the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) recommend that RECs are hired to complete these works, it is not a legal requirement that only RECs carry out Controlled Electrical Works.

Definition of Controlled Electrical Works

1. the installation, commissioning, inspection, and testing of a new fixed electrical installation requiring connection or re-connection to the electricity network;
2. the modification, installation or replacement of a Distribution Board including customer tails on either side of the Main Protective Device, or new installation in special locations as defined in Part 7 of the National Wiring Rules;
3. the installation or replacement of one or more extra circuits in an existing installation, including the installation of one or more additional protective devices for such circuits on a distribution board;
4. Subsystems installed in Commercial, Industrial, and Domestic installations where the installation falls within the remit of the National Wiring Rules;
5. The inspection, testing and certification of existing electrical installations (in accordance with Chapter 6 of the Wiring Rules.