What are Minor Electrical Works?
Minor Electrical Works (sometimes just referred to as Minor Works), and Non-Notifiable Works are the same thing. They refer to electrical work on your home that does not have to be notified to local building control.
Your local council operates a building control department, who have to be notified of certain types of electrical work carried out in the home. Minor Works (or Non-Notifiable Works) are types of electrical work that don’t require this notification. It’s as simple as that.
What counts as Minor Works?
Minor Works are, by definition, the opposite of Notifiable Works. This means anything that is not specifically Notifiable counts as Minor Works.
So, what electrical work is notifiable?
The following types of electrical works are Notifiable, meaning that you have to notify your local building control if you are undertaking these jobs, and they will need to inspect and sign-off the job on completion.
- Adding a new circuit
- Changing a consumer unit (also called a fuseboard)
- Doing any work in or around a shower or bath
Minor Works therefore will include common jobs such as:
- Extending an existing circuit, e.g. by adding a spur to install an extra plug socket
- Installing new light switches
- Installing new light fittings or changing existing light fittings
Who can carry out minor electrical works? Can I do it myself?
In theory, anyone can carry out minor electrical works. In practice, unless you are very confident with how the electrics in your home function, you should always use a professional domestic installer or electrician.
If you do hire a domestic installer or an electrician to carry out your Minor Works, make sure that they provide you with a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate (MEIWC). This certificate warrants that the work carried out complies with the relevant standards, and that the person working on the circuit has carried out the necessary tests.
What tests are required for minor works?
It is very important not to skip this step. If you or your domestic installer / electrician does not test the circuit then you can’t be sure that it is safe. As best practice, the following tests should be carried out to ensure the safety of the system:
- Protective conductor continuity
- Continuity of ring final circuit conductors
- Insulation resistance
- Polarity
- RCD residual operating current
So, Minor Works are any works on the home which you don’t have to notify local building control about. Essentially, that’s most things which involve additions to an existing circuit rather than adding a new circuit. Whilst you are allowed to do it yourself, we always recommend using a professional to make sure the job is done right and your home is kept safe.
With Sokket, you can book Minor Electrical Works like new plug sockets and light fittings online for a fixed price. Get started here.