Electrical issues can sneak up when you least expect them. That’s why knowing about electrical inspection is important. Whether you’ve moved into a new home, are planning a renovation or just want peace of mind, understanding what goes on during an inspection can help keep you safe and your property compliant.

What is an electrical inspection?

An electrical inspection is a thorough assessment of your electrical system to ensure everything is safe, compliant with standards and working correctly.

It’s not just about flipping switches. The inspection includes:

• The wiring behind the walls
• Integrity of circuits and fuses
• Whether your system can handle the electrical load
• Grounding (earthing) and bonding of systems
• Protective devices like circuit breakers and Residual Current Devices (RCDs)

The goal is to avoid accidents, damage or failures before they happen by testing electrical safety across your setup.

Who is an electrical inspector?

An electrical inspector is a certified professional who examines your electrical setup to ensure it meets regulatory safety standards. They are trained to detect hidden issues that a regular person might overlook.

The inspector looks for:

• Faulty wiring
• Overloaded circuits that can act as a “fire hazard”
• Missing safety measures like grounding
• Non-compliance with the electricity rules or the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) standards

When should you get an electrical inspection?

You don’t have to wait for a crisis situation to get an inspection done. Here are some common

scenarios where scheduling one is a good idea:

• Buying or selling a home – Know whether all electrical components work
• After a major renovation – Adding new rooms or electrical appliances? Get it
• Old property – Older wiring may not meet modern
• After a disaster – Floods, fires or earthquakes can cause hidden electrical

• Regular check-ups – Ideally, every 5-10 years for residential properties and more frequently for commercial ones.

Regular electrical safety checks can help detect potential problems early and ensure compliance.

Why electrical inspection is important?

There are many reasons why having your home or business inspected makes sense:

• Prevents house fires – Faulty wiring is a major cause of home
• Protects your appliances – Voltage fluctuations can damage your electronics
• Reduces shock risk – Especially important if you have kids, elderly family members or
• Keeps you legally safe – Many areas require inspections before property transfers or tenancy agreements.

If you have property insurance, regular inspections may help lower premiums or ease claim processes. Similarly, a fire insurance policy may be invalidated if it’s proven that the fire was due to neglect or lack of inspection.

Electrical inspection process

So, what happens during an inspection? Here's a quick rundown:

Visual inspection:

• Look for exposed or damaged wires
• Check for signs of overheating
• Examine the condition of switchboards, sockets and panels
• Verify if safety labels and enclosures are in place

Functional testing:

• Trip testing of residual current devices
• Load testing of major circuits
• Checking bonding and grounding with proper tools
• Testing electrical safety through voltage and continuity checks

Documentation review:

• Inspection history (if any)
• Electrical layout diagrams
• Maintenance logs and installation certificates

Compliance audit:

• Compare your setup to regional electrical codes

• Flag mismatches or outdated installations
• Recommend fixes or upgrades

The entire process usually takes a few hours, depending on the size and complexity of the building.

Electrical safety inspection checklist

Before an inspector even steps in, here’s what you can check yourself:

• Are all your sockets and switches tight and working?
• Any wires poking out of walls?
• Is your fuse box labelled?
• Are outdoor wires safely insulated?

A proper electrical safety inspection will include a much more detailed checklist covering aspects like insulation resistance, continuity of conductors and short-circuit protection.

Doing this helps ensure that your home complies with electrical testing safety standards.

Common electrical problems found in inspections

Here are the red flags inspectors often find:

• Old wiring – Cracked, brittle wires in older homes are ticking time
• Improper grounding – No grounding means no escape route for the electric
• Overloaded circuits – Too many appliances, not enough
• Faulty or missing RCDs/MCBs – The important switches can be
• DIY disasters – From backward fan wiring to random socket
• Loose or exposed wiring – Especially in old homes or partially finished properties

Fixing these not only keeps your home safe; it strengthens your case during property insurance or fire insurance claims.

Conclusion

Getting an electrical inspection is one of the smartest ways to ensure safety at home or in the workplace. From spotting hidden faults to meeting electrical testing safety standards, these checks do more than just tick boxes—they protect lives and property.

Remember, regular inspections can also play a crucial role in validating your property insurance and fire insurance claims. Insurance acts as a financial safety net in case a fire damages your property.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It is advised to verify the currency and relevance of the data and information before taking any major steps. Please read the sales brochure / policy wordings carefully for detailed information about on risk factors, terms, conditions and exclusions. ICICI Lombard is not liable for any inaccuracies or consequences resulting from the use of this outdated information.