An electrical diagnosis must be carried out when selling or renting a property if the electrical installations are more than 15 years old. Its purpose is to assess any risks that could jeopardize people’s safety.
Defective installations can cause serious electric shocks and fires. The electrical diagnosis provides an overview of the safety of electrical installations.
For sales, it has been mandatory since 2009 under Article L.134-7 of the Construction and Housing Code.
For rentals, it has been mandatory since the ALUR law decree of August 11, 2016.
It must be carried out by a certified professional, a real estate diagnostician, and will be included in the technical diagnosis file (DDT) that will be given to the buyer at the time of signing the promise of sale, the deed of sale, or the signing of the lease.
If there is no electrical diagnosis and the buyer discovers that the installations are defective, they may take legal action to reduce the sale price.
In the case of a sale, the diagnosis is valid for 3 years from the date of completion and in the case of a rental, the diagnosis is valid for 6 years.
Outbuildings of detached houses are also affected.
The real estate diagnostician must follow a regulated methodology to carry out this assessment. The operator must examine a list of points. According to the decree of September 28, there are 49 visual inspections, 9 tests, and 12 measurements. To do this, the operator will need measuring devices.
Points to be examined according to the methodology
1-General control and protection device (AGCP)
The objective is to verify that the circuit breaker is easily accessible and that it allows the power supply to be cut off in an emergency.
2-Differential protection device at the origin of the installation
- Ground connection
- Grounding installation
The objective of this category of the electrical diagnosis is to verify that there is at least one residual current differential protection device (RCD) to protect against insulation faults.
3-Overcurrent protection devices suitable for the conductor cross-section on each circuit
The objective is to check that all circuits and switches are protected against overload, short circuit, or poor connection quality that could cause overheating and damage or even start a fire.
4-Equipotential bonding and electrical installation adapted to the specific conditions of rooms containing a bathtub or shower
The presence of water and electricity represents a risk. The objective is to verify that there is a device connecting all conductive elements and masses that could continuously propagate a potential. This is the supplementary equipotential bonding (SEB). The LES protects people by preventing them from coming into simultaneous contact with two conductive elements that are accessible to the touch.
5-Mechanical protection of conductors
The objective is to verify that the electrical installation protects people from the risks that may result from contact with dangerous parts in direct contact. Insulated conductors must be mechanically protected by conduits, ducts, baseboards, etc.
6-Electrical equipment that is outdated or unsuitable for use
The objective is to verify that the electrical installation does not present any risk to a person coming into contact with equipment or assemblies that are unsuitable for use or have become dangerous due to age.
There are also points to consider when installations are unusual: when there are common areas, when there are swimming pools or fountain basins.
At the end of the electrical diagnosis
The real estate diagnostician provides the client with a document indicating the absence or presence of anomalies. If there are anomalies, the diagnostician makes recommendations.
FONDIS Electronic offers software for editing all regulatory reports, including electrical reports.
Which electrical tester?
The operator must be able to carry out visual inspections, tests, and measurements. They must have the equipment to measure the physical quantities necessary to assess the condition of the interior electrical installation (length, current, voltage, and impedance) and to check continuity.
FONDIS Electronic offers an electrical tester and voltage detectors and voltage absence checkers.
Acronyms and electrical diagnostics:
- DDT: Technical Diagnostics File
- AGPC: General Control and Protection Device
- DDR: Residual Current Differential Protection Device
- LES: Additional Equipotential Bonding
- DDT: Voltage Detector
- VAT: Voltage Absence Checker
