Government Electrical Inspectorate Services Division

Introduction 

The Government Electrical Inspectorate Division (GEID) was established by the Electricity, on January 1, 1946 and is governed by the Electrical Installations (Buildings) Act. In Tobago, the Tobago House of Assembly, Division of Infrastructure and Public Utilities has Electrical Inspectors who operate under the technical guidelines of the Chief Electrical Inspector. The functions of the Inspectorate afford members of the public a degree of comfort ensuring that their building’s electrical wiring system has met a satisfactory standard of safety. Further, the public can be assured the practical safeguarding of all persons and their property from hazards, which may arise from the usage of electricity.

Services and Functions

Administrative

• Receipt of applications for inspections of domestic, commercial or industrial electrical installations. Determination and collection of the    appropriate fees and assignment of dates for these inspections.
• Assignment of inspections to Electrical Inspectors on a daily basis and review of submitted reports.
• Maintenance of records associated with inspections of electrical installations of buildings/structures in Trinidad and Tobago.
• Other functions associated with the maintenance of the clerical and technical operations of the Division.

Inspections

• Inspections and Issuance of Certificates of Approval for all New Domestic, Commercial and Industrial Electrical Installations in Trinidad and Tobago which are mandatory for the connection of an Electricity Supply by the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission.
• Inspections and Issuance of Certificates of Approval for all rewired or altered installations for compliance with established standards of safety which are also a prerequisite for the energizing/use of these installations.
• Inspection of ‘Disconnected Installations’ for ‘re-connection’ purposes.
• Routine ‘Condition Inspection’ of installations to determine their continued safety and advising owners/occupiers of relevant defects, to be corrected within a specified time.
• Annual Inspection of the electrical installation and apparatus in all Public Buildings and places of entertainment (Electricity Inspection Act Chap. 54:72 Section 15). {Electricity (Inspection) Rules}.
• Routine inspections carried out in large industries and high-risk areas. Owner/occupiers are advised of defects (if any) that need to be corrected within a specific period.
• Inspection of High Voltage Installations.
• Commissioning of new installations including large industrial plants.
• Maintenance testing at stipulated intervals.

Advisory Services

• Responding to owners, electricians, contractors and other members of the public upon their requests for information that impact upon the inspection of their electrical installation.
• Interfacing with Importers, Distributors and Manufacturers as regards the design, application and acceptable standard of electrical products.
• Presentations to schools and firms as regards electrical safety and training

Fire and Accident Investigation

• Visiting the scenes of fires to determine if the cause of the fire is due to an electrical fault upon requests from the Police, the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission, Trinidad and Tobago Fire Services or Insurance Companies.
• Attending court proceedings that may arise from the investigation at one (1) above, when summoned to give evidence.
• Investigations of incidents/accidents resulting in loss of life or grievous hurt to any person that occurred in connection with electrical installations or plant or apparatus and submission of findings to the nearest Magistrate.

Regulatory Functions

• Determining/reviewing codes, regulations and standards relevant to the inspection of installations.
• Interfacing with the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission regarding defects/problems associated with electrical systems/installations.
• Enforcement of the Trinidad and Tobago Electrical Wiring Code.

Licensing of Wireman and Projectionist

• Evaluating the qualifications, competence and experience of applicants for the grant of Wireman’s License. Reviewing/Evaluating the performance/conduct of Wiremen and renewing their Licenses as appropriate.
• Administering the grant of Projectionists (Cinema Operators) Licenses to competent candidates and renewal of same.

For the general public, the following services and functions are available:

1. Electrical Inspections
   An electrical inspection involves the testing of a building’s electrical wiring system to various standards and codes.If the installation has met the requirements of the various codes and standards (i.e. the system has met the minimum safety requirements set out in these documents), an “Inspection Certificate of Approval” is issued to the applicant (Final Inspection). If the installation has not met the requirements, a “Defect Sheet” is issued listing the items that are not in compliance. These items must be corrected and a re-inspection applied for before an “Inspection Certificate of Approval” is issued.An “Inspection Certificate of Approval” is required under the following typical circumstances (note that this list is not exhaustive):
   1. Before the first time connection of a building’s permanent wiring system to the Utility provider (T&TEC)
   2. Before the re-connection of a building’s wiring system to the Utility provider where the building has been disconnected due to
      1. electrical faults with the building’s wiring
      2. adjustment to the building’s wiring system involving changes to the “Point of Supply” i.e. replacement of Point of Entrance, Upgrade of Supply, change of metering system etc
      3. where the building has been disconnected due to “Meter Tampering”
      4. Where the building has been disconnected for more than three (3) months
   3. Before the connection of a temporary wiring system to the Utility provider used for the temporary supply of power for the construction of a building
   4. Where the “Inspection Certificate of Approval” recommends re-inspection e.g. every five (5) years for low voltage installations, every one (1) year for high voltage installations, every three (3) months for temporary installations etc.
   5. Where an insurance company requires this certificate for insuring a building
   6. Before special equipment such as Standby Generators, Electric Fences, Renewable Energy Systems etc. are utilised
2. New and renewal of Wireman’s Licences
   A licensed wireman is someone who has been evaluated to perform or supervise electrical building works in Trinidad and Tobago. This person is required to jointly apply for electrical inspections from the Government Electrical Inspectorate Division together with the applicant.Licences are valid for two (2) years and must be renewed to ensure validity.
3. New and renewal of Projectionist’s Licences
   A licensed projectionist is someone who has been evaluated to operate a projection system for cinemas.Licences are valid for one (1) year and must be renewed to ensure validity.

Procedures

1. Electrical Inspection
   For a typical new building, the inspection process is a series of inspections that culminate into a Final inspection and the “Inspection Certificate of Approval” certificate. As the building is being constructed, elements of the electrical infrastructure that will be rendered inaccessible upon the completion of the building (such as conduit systems in walls, buried electrical cables etc.) must be inspected before they are inaccessible. These inspections are called “Preliminary Inspections” and must be applied for and approval granted before continuing to other elements of the infrastructure. The number of Preliminary Inspections depends upon how the building is actually constructed and all of these inspections must be carried out before the Final inspection is conducted. No certificates are issued for Preliminary Inspections that have passed but “Defect Sheets” are issued where Preliminary Inspections have failed. Where Preliminary Inspections have failed, the items listed in the ‘Defect Sheets” must be corrected and the Preliminary Inspection re-applied for before continuing to other inspections.
   Procedure for Applying for an Electrical Inspection (Preliminary and Final)
   • Complete the application form “Application for Inspection of an Electrical Installation” and the document “Advisory to Homeowners and Property Developers”. Note: The application form requires information from both the applicant and licensed wireman and both parties must sign the form
   • Attach the following documents:
     1. Copy of the Applicant’s National Identification
     2. Copy of the Wireman’s Licence
     3. Copy of the T&TEC’s Request ID (only for Final Inspections)
     4. Copy of the GEID’s receipt for previous inspections for the property (only for Final Inspections)
        • Submit the forms with the attached documents to the relevant regional office (see above for the regions for the property location).
        • Pay the prescribed fees and collect the GEID’s receipt. The GEID’s receipt specifies the date the inspection is scheduled for and is required to collect the results of the inspection
        • Ensure the property is accessible on the date of the inspection and that the licensed wireman is present on site
        • Collect the results of the inspection after three (3) working days from the date of the inspection from the regional office where the application was submitted
2. Application for New Wireman’s Licence
   Procedure for Applying for a New Wireman’s Licence
   • Complete the attached application form “Application for a Licence by an applicant not previously licensed”.
   • Attach the following documents:
     1. Copy of the National Examination Council Certificate (Industrial Electrician) or equivalent certification.
     2. Copy of the National Identification Card (both sides)
     3. Copy of the Birth Certificate (Machine generated)
     4. Three passport size photos (red background)
     5. Letter of recommendation from employer or another Licensed Wireman certifying at least three-year experience in the field of electrical installation works.
     6. Copy of an official document with the applicant’s name and address e.g. utility bill
   • Submit the completed application form with the attached documents to any of the offices above:
   • You will be required to attend an interview with the Chief Electrical Inspector and will be informed of the scheduled date. The format of this interview is a written examination based on the following:
     1. Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards: Trinidad and Tobago Electrical Wiring Code (Low Voltage Installations)
     2. T&TEC Wiring for Light and Power
   • Only upon successful completion of the interview will a licence be awarded. You will be informed of your results and, if successful, a date will be set where you will pay your requisite fee and be awarded your licence.
   • If you are not successful, you may request a re-sit of the interview with a minimum wait period of three (3) months and subject to available spaces. Note: There is no fee attached to the interview.
3. Application for Renewal of Wireman’s Licence
   Procedure for Renewing a Wireman’s Licence
   • Complete the application form “Application for a Licence by an applicant who has been previously licensed”.
   • Attach the following documents:
     1. Two passport size photos (red background)
     2. Copy of an official document with the applicant’s name and address e.g. utility bill
     3. Renewal:
        1. The expired Wireman’s Licence
     4. Renewal where the licence has not renewed for more than 10 years
        1. The expired Wireman’s Licence
        2. A letter addressed to the Chief Electrical Inspector giving reasons for the non-renewal of the licence
     5. Lost / Stolen Licence
        1. A sworn affidavit where the old licence was lost or stolen (Lost or Stolen)
   • 3)  Submit the completed application form with the attached documents to any of the offices listed above and pay the requisite fee.
   • 4) The renewed licence can be collected at the office where the application was made within 2-3 weeks from the date of the application
4. Application for New Projectionist Licence
   Procedure for Applying for a New Projectionist’s Licence
   1. Completed application form
   2. Picture identification
   3. Three passport size pictures with green background
   4. Letter of employment from the owner/agent of the cinema
   5. Letter of experience as an operator of a motion picture projector
   6. Copy of the specification of the projector to be operated
   7. Copy of user/operation manual of the projector
   8. Safety of the projector room:
      1. Fire extinguisher
      2. Fire detection and alarm system
      3. Exit signs
      4. Adequate plug outlets
      5. Adequate lighting
      6. Adequate ventilation
5. Application for Renewal of Projectionist Licence
   Procedure for Renewing a Projectionist’s Licence
   1. Complete the attached application form “Application for a Projectionist Licence by an applicant who has previously licensed”.
   2. Attach the following documents:
      1. Two passport size photos (red background)
      2. Copy of an official document with the applicant’s name and address e.g. utility bill
      3. Renewal
         1. The expired Wireman’s Licence
      4. Lost / Stolen Licence
         1. A sworn affidavit where the old licence was lost or stolen (Lost or Stolen)
   3. Submit the completed application form with the attached documents to any of the offices listed above and pay the prescribed fees.
   4. The renewed licence can be collected at the office where the application was made within 2-3 weeks from the date of the application
6. Fees
   Fees are charged as per the Second Schedule, Electricity (Inspection) Rules, Electricity (Inspection) Act Chapter 54:72.