Electrical Inspections - COC

 

The Electrical Inspection is by far the most complicated of the five involving not just an entire book of regulations SANS 10142 -1:2024, but also includes the occupational health and safety act, and of course these regulations change from time to time.

INSPECTIONS AND COC

 

Electrical CoC Cost in Johannesburg and Pretoria

Looking for an affordable Electrical Certificate of Compliance (CoC) in Johannesburg or Pretoria?

An Electrical CoC confirms that an electrical installation has been inspected and tested by a suitably registered electrical contractor. The inspection identifies potential electrical hazards and determines whether the installation complies with the applicable regulations and standards.

The cost of an Electrical CoC depends on the size of the property, the complexity of the electrical installation, the condition of the wiring and distribution boards, and whether repairs are required.

COC Express helps you find competitive quotations for electrical inspections and compliance certificates for residential, commercial and industrial properties.

Get quotations for:

  • Electrical CoC inspections and certification.

  • Electrical compliance inspections for property transfers.

  • Electrical distribution board inspections.

  • Electrical fault identification and non-compliance reports.

  • Quotations for electrical repairs required to achieve compliance.

Our Electrical division specializes in all electrical services or any of your electrical requirements

 

We do all electrical work for Residential, Commercial and Industrial from lighting to power planning.

We also do general electrical work such as the repair of stoves, electrical wiring for home renovations as well electrical certificates:

⦁ Domestic Work
⦁ DB Boards Rewiring
⦁ Generator & UPS Change over Switches
⦁ Electrical Maintenance
⦁ General Electrician
⦁ Lighting or Low Energy upgrades & Installations
⦁ Rewiring
⦁ Wiring of Houses and Buidlings
⦁ Generator Sales and installations
⦁ Industrial Electrical Maintenance
⦁ Streetlights installations and maintenance
⦁ Wiring of facilities
⦁ Medium to low Voltage Systems
⦁ Generator Back up power
⦁ Change over switching for generators
⦁ Inverter Back up power
⦁ UPS Back up power
⦁ Plugs, sockets and lights
⦁ Cabling and Trunking
⦁ Installation & Wiring of Single phase DB Boxes
⦁ Installation & Wiring of 3(Three) phase DB Boxes
⦁ Installation of wire ways (Steel, PVC & Trunking)
⦁ Installation & Wiring of plug sockets and light switches
⦁ Installation & Wiring of lights (Florescent, Down Lighters & Transformers)
⦁ Installation & Wiring for 220V & 380V motors
⦁ Installation & Wiring of Geyser elements & Thermostats
⦁ Installation & Wiring of gate motors, Stove Isolators, Isolators for Air-Conditioners, Cold rooms & Freezer rooms, Timers
⦁ Installation & Wiring of Star/Delta Motors
⦁ Installation & Wiring od Industrial Switch gear
⦁ Installation & Wiring of two way light switching & Intermediate switching
⦁ Installation, jointing and termination of Medium Voltage and Low Voltage cables
⦁ Inspection of facilities and issuing of Certificates of Compliance (COC) - (Domestic, Commercial & Industrial)
⦁ Solar Energy
⦁ New Electrical Installations (Domestic, Commercial & Industrial)
⦁ Electrical turnkey projects
⦁ Lightning protection
Security lighting/ automated
⦁ LED lighting
⦁ Energy saving audits
⦁ Alternative power – Inverters – solar
⦁ Power/ elect bill reductions ⦁ Power saving installations⦁ Energy saving programme.
⦁ All installations comply with ECA and SABS 10142-1:2024 regulations ⦁ Emergency Lighting


Requirements for a valid solar CoC

  • Issued by a qualified electrician: Only a registered Installation Electrician (IE) or Master Installation Electrician (MIE) can legally issue a CoC for a solar PV system.
  • Based on a valid existing CoC: A supplementary CoC for a solar installation can only be issued if the property already has a valid Initial electrical CoC for the entire premises.
  • Accompanied by a test report: The CoC document must be supported by a test report that details the inspection and tests performed on the system.

Importance of a Solar CoC

  • Grid connection and permits: If your system is connected to the grid, you will need a CoC to get approval from your municipality or Eskom.
  • Legal protection: The CoC protects the homeowner from liability in the event of an electrical incident caused by the installation.
  • Proof of quality: It ensures the system was installed by a qualified professional according to established safety standards. 

The electrical compliance process in South Africa

  1. Select a registered electrician:Find a qualified and registered electrician who holds a valid wireman's license from the Department of Labour and is a member of a recognised body like the Electrical Contractors Association (ECA) or Electrical Contractors Board(ECB)
  2. Schedule an inspection: The electrician will perform a thorough inspection and testing of your property's entire electrical installation.
  3. Receive a repair quotation: If the electrician finds faults during the inspection, they must issue a written report and a quotation for the repairs needed to achieve compliance.
  4. Approve repairs: You must approve the quotation for repairs. According to the law, the electrician who performs the inspection must correct any non-compliant issues before issuing a new CoC.
  5. Complete the repairs: The electrician will carry out the necessary repair work. This can include anything from fixing loose connections and replacing faulty switches to upgrading the distribution board or replacing outdated wiring.
  6. Receive the CoC: Once all repairs are finished and the installation meets safety standards, the electrician will issue the official Electrical Certificate of Compliance.
  7. Register the CoC: The electrician will register the CoC with the Electrical Conformance Board of South Africa (ECB). 

Typical repairs required for a COC

  • Checking earth leakage: Ensuring the earth leakage unit is correctly fitted to the main fuse box and is functional.
  • Checking earthing and bonding: Verifying that all electrical systems and exposed metal parts are correctly earthed and bonded to prevent shocks.
  • Replacing damaged components: Replacing any worn-out, damaged, or deteriorated electrical items, such as sockets, switches, or light fittings.
  • Inspecting the main switch: Confirming that the electrical main switch is compliant with current regulations.
  • Addressing wiring issues: Checking the wiring system for safety and ensuring that older, non-compliant cables (like those covered in rubber, lead, or fabric) are replaced.
  • Labeling and safety signage: Ensuring that the distribution board is adequately labelled and has the correct warning signs.
  • Checking circuit breakers: Verifying that all circuit breakers are of the correct size and are operating correctly to prevent overloads. 

Costs and what to expect

  • Initial inspection fee: Most electricians charge a call-out fee for the initial inspection, which ranges from R1,150 to R4,500 depending on the property's size and complexity.
  • Repair costs: The cost of repairs is in addition to the inspection fee. Minor repairs can range from R1,000 to R6,000, while major work like a distribution board upgrade or rewiring can cost R6,000 or more.
  • Multiple quotes: It is advisable to get multiple quotations from accredited professionals before committing to any repairs, as prices can vary widely.
  • No "cheap" COCs: Be wary of contractors who offer to issue a COC without a proper inspection and repairs. This is illegal and compromises your safety. 

Validity of a Electrical COC

  • A Electrical  COC is valid for two years from the date of issue, provided no alterations or additions are made to the electrical installation.
  • Any new electrical work, even adding a single plug point, requires a supplementary COC to be issued by a registered electrician.
  • Insurance coverage: Many insurance companies require a valid COC. Without one, your claim could be rejected if the solar system is damaged or causes a fire.