RCDs that don't trip correctly
An RCD can look correctly fitted yet fail to trip within the required time, leaving a shock risk undetected until tested.
Electrical testingand inspection acrossLocks Heath & Southampton
Whether it's a single circuit, a new installation, or a full periodic check, testing tells you what's actually happening inside the wiring, carried out with calibrated equipment and reported clearly.
Rated 5.0 on Google · 12+ years in the trade · NAPIT registered
City & Guilds 2391-52
Qualified specifically in inspection and testing
NAPIT registered
Testing and certification to current wiring regulations
£5m / £10m cover
Public and employer's liability insurance in place
5.0 on Google
Rated by clients across South Hampshire
12+ years in the trade
Founded 2021 by Director Andrew Hardiman
Overview
What testing and inspection covers
Testing and inspection is the process of checking an electrical installation, or a specific part of it, against current wiring regulations using both a visual check and instrument testing. It sits behind almost every other piece of electrical work: new circuits get tested before being signed off, existing installations get periodically inspected, and specific circuits get tested when something needs confirming.
It's needed after any new installation or alteration, as part of a periodic check on an existing property, when a fault is suspected but not yet confirmed, or when a landlord, business, or homeowner needs documented evidence that an installation meets current standards. It differs from an EICR in scope: testing and inspection can be a targeted check on part of an installation, whereas an EICR is a full condition report, but both rely on the same underlying test procedures.
The value of testing lies in what it reveals that a visual check alone can't: insulation resistance, loop impedance, RCD trip times, and continuity of protective conductors are all things you can't see by looking, but they determine whether the installation will actually protect people and property under fault conditions.
Who it's for
Homeowners, landlords, and businesses needing confirmation that a circuit or installation meets current standards.
When it's needed
After new work, at periodic intervals, when investigating a suspected issue, or for compliance evidence.
What you get
Test results and, where appropriate, a certificate, EIC, EICR, or minor works, matching the scope of work.
Why it matters
Instrument testing catches faults that are invisible to a visual inspection alone.
What happens if it is left
What testing catches that a look-over won't
A visual inspection tells you a lot, but several of the most important safety measures in an installation can only be confirmed by testing with calibrated instruments.
High earth fault loop impedance
If this value is too high, a fault won't clear quickly enough to protect against shock or fire.
Insulation breakdown
Degraded cable insulation can allow current to leak between conductors or to earth without any visible sign.
Incorrect polarity
Reversed polarity on a circuit can leave supposedly isolated parts of the circuit live even when a switch is off.
Common mistakes we are called out to fix
- Relying on a visual check alone when a fault or compliance question needs an instrument test.
- Testing a circuit in isolation without considering how it interacts with the rest of the installation.
- Using uncalibrated or unsuitable test equipment.
- Skipping documentation of results, leaving no record for future reference.
Our process
How we approach testing and inspection
The scope varies by job, but the underlying method is consistent and thorough.
- 01
Confirm the scope
We agree whether it's a single circuit, a new installation, or a wider periodic check, and what certificate or record is needed.
- 02
Visual inspection
We check accessible wiring, connections, and protective devices for condition and compliance.
- 03
Dead testing
With the supply isolated, we test continuity, insulation resistance, and polarity.
- 04
Live testing
With the supply restored, we test earth fault loop impedance and RCD operation under load.
- 05
Document and certify
Results are recorded and the appropriate certificate, EIC, EICR, or minor works, issued, with building control notified directly where the work is notifiable.
What you get
What proper testing gives you
Speed
We can often test a single circuit or small installation in one visit.
Safety
Instrument testing confirms protective measures are actually working, not just present.
Longevity
Catching insulation or connection issues early prevents them developing into bigger faults.
Cost clarity
Testing is priced individually once the scope is agreed, with a written quote provided upfront.
Reliability
Calibrated equipment and a consistent method give results you can rely on.
Peace of mind
Documented results and the right certificate give you evidence the installation meets current standards.
In detail
The detail behind testing and inspection
Dead testing versus live testing
Dead testing is carried out with the circuit isolated from the supply and covers continuity of protective conductors, insulation resistance between live conductors and earth, and polarity, confirming conductors are connected the right way round. These tests have to be done with the supply off, because they'd give false or dangerous results otherwise.
Live testing follows once the supply is safely restored, and covers earth fault loop impedance at relevant points and RCD operation, including trip times under test current. Together, dead and live testing build a complete picture of whether the circuit will behave safely under both normal and fault conditions.
Equipment and calibration
Accurate results depend on properly calibrated test instruments; equipment drifts out of calibration over time and use, so it needs regular checking against a known standard. We use instruments appropriate to each test being carried out, since insulation resistance testing, loop impedance testing, and RCD testing all use different measurement principles and equipment settings.
New installations versus periodic checks
Testing on a new installation or alteration confirms the work has been done correctly before it's signed off with an EIC or minor works certificate, and it's carried out as a matter of course on every job we complete, not as an optional extra. Periodic testing, by contrast, checks how an existing installation has held up over time and is usually carried out as part of a wider EICR rather than in isolation, though targeted circuit testing on request is available where a specific concern has been raised.
Residential and commercial scope
Domestic testing typically covers a single consumer unit and its circuits, whereas commercial premises may have multiple distribution boards and a wider range of circuit types, meaning the time and approach needed are assessed on site. In both settings, results are documented and the correct certificate issued to match the work carried out.
Recent work
Photographs from jobs we have completed
Scroll across to see more of our completed work.
Common questions
Answers before you get in touch
How much does testing and inspection cost?
It's priced individually depending on the scope: a single circuit test is a different job to a full periodic inspection, and we confirm everything with a written quote first.
How long does testing take?
A single circuit can often be tested in a short visit, while a wider periodic check takes longer; we'll give you a realistic estimate once we know the scope.
What does the testing process actually involve?
We carry out a visual inspection, then dead testing with the circuit isolated, followed by live testing with the supply restored, before documenting the results.
What certificate will I get?
Depending on the job, you'll receive an EIC for new work, an EICR for a full condition check, or a minor works certificate for smaller alterations.
How often should testing be carried out?
New work is tested as part of the job itself; existing installations are typically checked periodically, commonly every few years, depending on property type and use.
What are your working hours?
We work Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm, call 07730 498814 or send us the details online.
Do you carry out testing across the wider Southampton area?
Yes, as well as Locks Heath, we cover Warsash, Hedge End, Southampton, Fareham, Titchfield, Park Gate and Whiteley.
Can you test a single circuit without inspecting the whole installation?
Yes, targeted testing on a specific circuit is possible where that's all that's needed, we'll agree the scope with you before booking anything in.
Related services
Other work we take on
Next step
Book testing and inspection
Tell us what needs testing and we'll come back with a written quote, call 07730 498814 or get in touch online.
07730 498814
hardielectrical@outlook.com
Monday to Friday, 8am–5pm
NAPIT registered · £5m public liability · £10m employer’s liability