You’ve likely heard of both electricians and electric inspectors. While they have many similarities and share most of the same knowledge base, they are not the same. The differences are mostly related to their job function.
The Electrician
An electrician is a person you’ll hire to complete electrical work. That work could be for repairing a circuit breaker, installing a light fixture, or rewiring a home, for example. An electrician must be licensed. This ensures that the job will be done by someone who has been trained in the industry. When dealing with electricity, there are many risks involved, so it’s important to be precise, thorough, and careful in this field.
In our state, there isn’t a state-wide process for becoming an electrician. Instead, licenses are issued by local municipalities. Extensive experience is required to obtain the license, and an exam needs to be passed.
The Electrical Inspector
The electrical inspector comes in after the job has been completed. He or she will check over the project to make sure everything has been done correctly and is up to code. Here in Lafayette, LA, there are a number of regulations that have been enacted to keep residents safe. Generally, electrical inspections are required with larger projects, such as additions, renovations, and rewiring. If you’re building a new place, there would usually be two inspections. The first would require an inspection of the boxes, cables, and wires before the walls are closed up, and the second one would be after all the tasks have been completed. Smaller things, like redoing an outlet or installing different kinds of light switches, are typically not subject to this oversight.
There is another difference between electricians and electrical inspectors, and that has to do with licensing. There is a state-wide certification for residential and commercial electrical inspectors in Louisiana.
What’s an Electrical Safety Inspection?
There’s an exception to what was just mentioned. An electrical safety inspection, which is not technically the same as an electrical inspection required by the government, can be done by a licensed electrician. You might consider getting one of these if you live in an older house or have done your own electrical work over the years. One of our licensed electricians can look over anything and provide recommendations as to what, if anything, can be improved related to lighting, the circuit breaker, GFCI outlets, or anything else. Reasons for changing something could be related to safety, convenience, and/or efficiency.
The basic takeaway is that electricians are not the same as electrical inspectors, since they have different responsibilities. If you need service from an electrician, we’re here to help at Comeaux Electrical Services. Call to set up an appointment.
