Electrical maintenance in Somerset and the South West

Commercial electrical maintenance

For a business, an electrical problem can affect lighting, equipment, working areas and the ability to serve customers. Maintaining the installation means considering both electrical safety and how the premises operates.

We provide maintenance support for commercial properties, including offices, retail premises, workshops and warehouses. We also discuss the additional access and operational requirements of education, healthcare, hospitality and heritage environments.

Depending on your installation and the agreed scope, maintenance work can include:

• Inspection of relevant distribution equipment, circuits and accessories.
• Periodic inspection and testing of the fixed electrical installation.
• Investigation of faults, repeated tripping and reported electrical problems.
• Repairs and replacement of damaged or deteriorated electrical components.
• Lighting maintenance and checks on lighting controls.
• Emergency lighting testing and associated remedial work.
• Review of previous reports, defects and maintenance records.

The scope is agreed for the premises. Specialist machinery, safety systems and manufacturer-controlled equipment may need separate service arrangements or input from the relevant supplier.

Explore our commercial electrical services.

Planned preventative electrical maintenance

Planned preventative maintenance brings inspections, servicing and follow-up work into an organised programme. It gives you a clearer view of what needs attention and allows access or shutdowns to be arranged in advance.

We begin by reviewing the installation, available records and the equipment included in the brief. From there, we can discuss a maintenance schedule based on condition, use, manufacturer guidance and the environment.

A useful plan identifies:

• The circuits, equipment and systems included.
• The checks, tests or servicing appropriate to each item.
• The proposed frequency and reasons for it.
• Access requirements and any planned interruptions.
• How defects and recommendations will be reported.
• Who will authorise and arrange follow-up work.

The schedule should be reviewed when the building changes, new equipment is installed or previous findings show that a different approach is needed. It should not remain unchanged simply because the same visits have always been booked.

Electrical inspections, testing and EICRs

Periodic inspection and testing assesses the condition of an existing fixed electrical installation. An Electrical Installation Condition Report, or EICR, records the findings within the agreed extent and limitations of the inspection.

We review the available information, discuss access and establish the scope before testing. Previous reports, circuit schedules and details of alterations help build a more accurate picture of the installation.

Where the report identifies defects or a need for further investigation, those findings need an appropriate response. We can explain the recommended next steps and discuss remedial work relevant to the installation.

An EICR is not a repair service in itself and does not replace routine maintenance between inspections. It is also different from the certification issued for new electrical installation work.

Fault investigation and electrical repairs

Repeated tripping, intermittent loss of power or equipment that no longer operates as expected should be investigated rather than worked around. The cause may relate to a circuit, an accessory, connected equipment or a change in the way the installation is used.

We discuss when the problem occurs, which areas are affected and whether anything changed before it started. Inspection and appropriate testing help establish the cause and the work needed to address it.

Some repairs can be defined during the initial visit; others require further investigation, replacement parts or access to equipment. We explain the findings and agree the next steps, including relevant testing and documentation for completed work.

If you notice burning, visible damage or signs of an electrical hazard, keep people away from the affected equipment and stop using it. Do not repeatedly reset a protective device or attempt repairs yourself. Contact a qualified electrician to assess the problem.

Lighting and emergency lighting maintenance

Maintaining lighting helps preserve visibility throughout the premises. Failed fittings, damaged accessories and controls that no longer respond correctly can affect the way a space is used, even when the rest of the electrical installation appears to be working.

We can discuss repairs, suitable replacement components, cleaning requirements and the operation of switching, sensors and other lighting controls. Where a recurring problem suggests that the equipment or layout is no longer appropriate, we can also discuss an upgrade.

Emergency lighting needs its own testing and maintenance arrangements. The programme should reflect the system, applicable guidance and the premises’ fire risk assessment, with results and defects recorded.

Functional checks, duration tests and remedial work need to be planned so that the building remains appropriately protected, including while batteries recharge after testing. We agree which activities are included and which routine checks remain with the person responsible for the premises.

Maintenance for solar panels, batteries and EV chargers

Renewable energy equipment introduces additional maintenance and performance considerations. Solar PV, battery storage and EV charging should be assessed against the installed equipment and its manufacturer’s requirements.

REF Electrics provides renewable system maintenance services, including solar inspections and cleaning, battery diagnostics and EV charger servicing. These services can be discussed alongside the wider electrical needs of your property.

If equipment was installed by another contractor, send us the make, model, installation date and any available commissioning or fault information. We can then discuss the appropriate scope and any manufacturer or warranty restrictions.

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Domestic electrical maintenance

Homes can develop electrical faults through wear, damage, alterations and changes in demand. We help homeowners and property owners investigate concerns, assess existing installations and plan repairs or improvements.

Contact us about damaged sockets or switches, recurring circuit problems, deteriorated lighting or concerns identified in an inspection report. We can assess the relevant installation and explain whether repair, replacement or further investigation is needed.

For rented or managed properties, share any inspection reports, access arrangements and relevant deadlines with your enquiry. We can discuss the electrical work required without assuming that every property has the same inspection or maintenance needs.

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How we organise electrical maintenance

1. Understand the property and the concern

We discuss the systems involved, the way the premises operates and any reported faults. For planned maintenance, existing reports and service records help establish the starting point.

2. Agree the scope and access

We establish which inspections, tests or servicing activities are required and identify exclusions. Access to distribution boards, ceiling spaces or equipment may need arranging, and some work requires circuits to be isolated.

3. Complete the agreed inspection or servicing

We carry out the work appropriate to the installation and record relevant findings. If further investigation is needed, we explain what is required before extending the agreed scope.

4. Report findings and prioritise action

Clear reporting helps you understand defects, recommended improvements and any limitations. Where an immediate electrical risk is identified, the necessary safety action takes priority over routine scheduling.

5. Arrange follow-up and review

We discuss remedial work, replacement equipment and the next maintenance steps. Completed repairs and alterations should be reflected in the relevant records, with the maintenance programme reviewed as the installation changes.

Plan maintenance around the way your premises operates

Inspection and testing can require access to equipment and interruptions to electrical supplies. For occupied buildings, it is important to establish these requirements before the visit rather than discover them when work starts.

Tell us about operating hours, equipment that cannot be interrupted without notice and any sensitive activities. We discuss phasing, timing and temporary arrangements where needed, with responsibilities agreed in advance.

For schools, healthcare premises and public-facing buildings, the plan also needs to account for building users and site procedures. A maintenance visit should be coordinated with the people responsible for access and day-to-day operations.

How often should electrical maintenance be carried out?

There is no single maintenance interval that suits every electrical installation or item of equipment. The appropriate approach depends on its condition, use, environment, manufacturer guidance and previous inspection findings.

Workplace electrical systems must be maintained as necessary to prevent danger, so far as reasonably practicable. Specific requirements may also apply to particular premises or systems. A general rule about an annual visit should not replace an assessment of what your installation needs.

We can review the information relevant to your premises and discuss a suitable maintenance approach. Any statutory deadline, insurer requirement or recommendation in an existing report should be identified as part of that review.

Electrical maintenance across Somerset and the South West

REF Electrics is based in Taunton and supports properties across Somerset, including Bridgwater, Wellington, Yeovil, Minehead and West Somerset.

Our wider service area includes Bristol, Devon, Dorset and Cornwall. Contact us with the site location, type of premises and work required so we can discuss availability and the appropriate next step.

See the areas we cover.

What does electrical maintenance include?

It can include inspections, testing, servicing, fault investigation and repairs. The scope depends on the installation and should identify the equipment covered, activities included and any separate specialist requirements.

Can you help with planned maintenance as well as a specific fault?

Yes. We can discuss a planned approach for your premises or investigate a reported problem. The assessment, access requirements and work involved are agreed for the particular installation.

Is an EICR the same as ongoing maintenance?

No. An EICR records the findings of periodic inspection and testing of an existing installation. Repairs, servicing and other checks may still be needed between inspections, and any defects identified need appropriate follow-up.

Does PAT testing cover the building’s fixed wiring?

No. Inspection and testing of electrical appliances is different from assessing the fixed wiring installation. Your maintenance arrangements need to distinguish those activities rather than assume one covers the other.

Can you maintain equipment installed by another contractor?

Contact us with the equipment details and available records. We can assess whether the proposed work is within scope and identify any manufacturer access, warranty or specialist servicing requirements before proceeding.

Will maintenance require a shutdown?

Some inspections, tests and repairs require safe isolation. We discuss the expected interruptions and access before the visit so that you can plan around them.

Can you guarantee that maintenance will prevent breakdowns?

No maintenance programme can remove every possibility of failure. Its purpose is to manage condition, identify defects and address foreseeable issues through appropriate inspection, servicing and repair.

How much does electrical maintenance cost?

The cost depends on the installation, extent of work, access, testing requirements and any repairs or parts needed. Send us your requirements and available reports so we can discuss a suitable scope and quotation.