04/09/2025
Restricted Electrical Works in the south can only legally be carried out by a Registered Electrical Contractor (REC). There is no exemption for DIY works in your own property.
The current definition of Restricted Electrical Works (REWs) is as follows:
Restricted Electrical Works (REWs)
(Definition taken from Decision Paper CER/13/147)
Restricted Electrical Works will cover:
1. the installation, commissioning, inspection and testing of a new Electrical Installation which is fixed, fastened or mounted or otherwise secured so that its position does not change and requires connection or re-connection to the distribution network or the transmission network, as the case may be;
2. the modification, installation or replacement of a Distribution Board including customer tails on either side of the Main Protective Device or of an Electrical Installation in any of the special locations listed in Part 7 of the National Rules for Electrical Installations, as the case may be;
3. the installation or replacement of one or more circuits in an Electrical Installation, including the installation of one or more additional protective devices for such circuits on a Distribution Board; or
4. the inspection, testing, certification or reporting of existing Electrical Installations covered by Chapter 62 of the National Rules for Electrical Installations;
in a Domestic Property.
Definition of Domestic Property:
Domestic Property means:
(a) A dwelling house, flat or maisonette, including:
i. any surgery, consulting room, office or other accommodation not exceeding 50m² in total forming part of it and used in a commercial capacity;
ii. any part of its out-buildings or curtilage used for non-commercial purposes; or
iii. its connection to the electricity network;
Or
(b) A caravan or motor caravan intended for habitation purposes including its curtilage, used for non-commercial purposes, excluding electrical circuits and equipment for automotive purposes.
⚖️ CRU Prosecutes individuals for undertaking Illegal Electrical Work Across Ireland
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) has successfully prosecuted multiple individuals for carrying out restricted electrical works without being a Registered Electrical Contractor with the Safe Electric scheme. These prosecutions reflect the CRU’s strong commitment to electrical safety and enforcement of national regulations.
Recent convictions include:
- A Sligo man convicted of illegally undertaking restricted electrical works while not being registered.
- A Cavan man fined for undertaking illegally restricted electrical work and falsely claiming to be a Registered Electrical Contractor (REC).
- A Wicklow man convicted and fined for undertaking illegally restricted electrical works and falsely claiming to be a REC.
- A Longford man convicted for illegally undertaking restricted electrical works in a home while not being registered.
🛡️ This enforcement action sends a clear message: only RECs are authorised to carry out restricted electrical work. It’s about public safety, trust and accountability.
👉 Read the full details here:
🔗 https://safeelectric.ie/contractors/cru-secures-prosecutions-for-carrying-out-illegal-electrical-works/
