We were called to a property in Brentry, Bristol, to carry out electrical testing alongside some fault finding work. The customer had noticed something wasn’t quite right with the installation, and wanted both a proper inspection and the fault investigated at the same time — which is often the most efficient way to handle it.
Combining an electrical inspection with fault finding means we can assess the overall condition of the installation while also drilling down into the specific problem. Rather than two separate visits, everything gets resolved in one.
About the Job
Electrical testing involves a structured series of checks and measurements against the current wiring regulations (BS 7671) to assess the condition and safety of the fixed installation. This covers the consumer unit, earthing and bonding, individual circuits, and all the accessories and equipment connected to them. Where a fault is also present, the testing process often helps pinpoint its location — saving time during the fault finding phase.
Fault finding, by contrast, is a more targeted investigation. We use the symptoms the customer reports — a tripping breaker, a dead circuit, flickering lights, or an RCD that won’t reset — as a starting point, then apply systematic testing to trace the fault to its source before carrying out any repair.
What the Testing Covered
- Inspection of the consumer unit, protective devices and earthing arrangements
- Continuity testing of ring final circuits and protective conductors
- Insulation resistance testing across all circuits
- Polarity verification at the board and a sample of accessories
- RCD operation and disconnection time testing
- Fault traced and repaired, circuits retested on completion
Why Combine Testing and Fault Finding?
If you already know there’s a fault, it makes sense to have the full installation checked at the same time. The testing often reveals whether the fault is an isolated issue or part of a wider pattern — for example, deteriorating insulation on ageing wiring, an overloaded circuit, or a consumer unit that’s no longer providing adequate protection.
Equally, if a periodic inspection turns up observations that point to an underlying fault rather than a simple defect, it’s much more efficient to investigate and repair on the same visit than to return separately. We always explain what we find in plain terms so you understand what’s been done and why.
Electrical Testing and Fault Finding in Brentry & Bristol
We carry out electrical testing and fault finding across Brentry and the wider Bristol and South Gloucestershire area. Whether you need a periodic inspection, an EICR for a rental property, or help tracking down an intermittent fault, we can help. Nearby areas we regularly cover include Filton, Horfield, Bradley Stoke and Thornbury. We also provide general electrical services across Filton, Bradley Stoke and Thornbury.
Need an Electrician in Brentry?
Whether you’ve got a specific fault to track down, need a full electrical inspection, or both, we can arrange a visit at a time that suits you. We aim to resolve everything in a single visit wherever possible.
Get in touch via laelectrical.com to book or to discuss what you need before committing to a visit.
