During an internal check, you discovered that the scheduled electrical inspection deadline has passed. Do not simply order a “new stamp,” but do not automatically assume that everything can remain in operation until the inspection technician arrives either.
The term “expired inspection” is a practical shorthand. It does not make the old inspection report worthless: the report still documents the condition of the specifically defined equipment on the date of the inspection. What is missing, however, is up-to-date verification that the equipment still meets the requirements and has not changed since the last inspection.
The first response will therefore differ between a smoking switchboard and an administratively overlooked deadline for an installation with no known problems. The actual condition, the scope of the original inspection, and the type of equipment determine the appropriate action.
What to do first
Divide the procedure into four steps: stop any dangerous situation, restrict operation where necessary, verify the documentation, and arrange the appropriate professional service.
| Decision | Typical situation | Safe procedure |
|---|---|---|
| STOP | Smoke, a burning smell, sparking, an exposed live part, a melted enclosure, water inside a switchboard, or another clearly dangerous condition | If this can be done without creating further risk, disconnect the affected section using the designated control device. Prevent access and call for professional assistance. Do not open the switchboard. |
| RESTRICT | No fault is evident, but reconstruction, the connection of machinery, or another modification has taken place since the last inspection | Determine the extent of the restriction according to the affected section and an assessment by a professionally qualified person. There is no need to indiscriminately shut down sections that are not affected by the problem. |
| VERIFY | The only known information is that “the inspection is overdue” | Find the latest report and establish the exact subject of the inspection, its date, conclusion, listed faults, and evidence that they were remedied. |
| REQUEST A QUOTE | The scope of the equipment and the available documents are known | Arrange an inspection technician. If it is unclear what service is required, first request a professional assessment of the scope. |
Nařízení vlády č. 190/2022 Sb., Section 7(8), addresses situations in which an inspection technician discovers a condition that immediately endangers personal safety during an inspection. The technician notifies the operator, and the operator must ensure that the equipment or the relevant part is disconnected without delay and secured against unintended reconnection. This provision is not a reason to wait for an inspection when equipment is already smoking or sparking or has accessible live parts.
A missed deadline is not the same as a technical fault
The passing of a scheduled deadline does not in itself prove that a terminal is loose, insulation is damaged, or a protective device is defective. It means that no current verification of the equipment’s condition within the applicable interval and scope has been documented.
A technical fault, by contrast, is a specific finding. It may already have been recorded in the previous report or may become apparent during operation, for example through:
- overheating of a switchboard, socket, or supply cable;
- a burning smell, discolouration, or a melted enclosure;
- repeated tripping of a circuit breaker or residual current device;
- damaged insulation or an exposed conductive part;
- water leaking into electrical equipment;
- unusual noise or sparking.
Your records should therefore distinguish between the absence of a current inspection and specific faults. An entry stating “inspection overdue” does not explain why a circuit breaker is tripping. Similarly, repairing one defective supply cable does not make up for a missing inspection of the entire defined installation.
Check what the last inspection covered
The term “electrical inspection” can refer to different subjects:
- the electrical installation of an entire building or only part of it;
- a main or distribution switchboard;
- permanently connected machinery;
- a photovoltaic power system;
- a lightning protection system;
- portable appliances, tools, or extension leads.
An inspection of one switchboard may not include all downstream circuits, while an inspection of a building’s electrical installation may not cover a tenant’s separate technology. The intervals and reasons for individual checks also cannot be transferred from one equipment group to another.
Check the following in the latest report:
- the exact identification and location of the equipment;
- the defined scope of the inspection;
- the type and date of the inspection;
- the supporting documents used;
- the listed faults;
- the inspection technician’s conclusion;
- the recommended or stipulated next inspection date;
- evidence that earlier faults were remedied.
A filename such as “inspection 2021.pdf” does not establish the scope. If you are unsure what the conclusion or the classification of findings means, see How to read an electrical inspection report.
What is the legal significance of a missing inspection?
Under Section 4(1)(c) of Zákon č. 309/2006 Sb., employers must ensure that machinery, technical equipment, vehicles, and tools are regularly and properly maintained, checked, and inspected.
For designated technical equipment, the legal significance of a missing inspection is more specific. Section 20 of Zákon č. 250/2021 Sb. includes the operation of equipment for which there is no documented inspection report completed within the prescribed interval and scope among the conditions that endanger occupational safety and the operation of designated technical equipment.
Section 7 of Nařízení vlády č. 190/2022 Sb. governs inspections of designated electrical equipment and their relationship to the schedule of examinations, maintenance, and inspections. However, information that a deadline has passed is not sufficient to determine remotely either the technical condition of a specific installation or safe restrictions on its operation.
The first step is therefore to determine whether the equipment is designated electrical equipment, exactly what the previous inspection covered, and whether any faults or modifications are known. Only then can the next course of action be established responsibly.
Who decides on operational restrictions?
The decision should not be based solely on an administrative date in a calendar. It must take into account the condition of the equipment, the nature of the operation, the possible consequences of a fault, and the available technical documentation.
Record the following within the company:
- who discovered that the deadline had passed;
- which equipment, circuit, or area is affected;
- which known faults or unusual symptoms were reported;
- who decided on the operational restriction and what evidence informed the decision;
- how the affected employees were informed;
- who arranged the professional assessment and for what date.
At leased premises, also check the lease agreement, handover documents, and division of responsibility for managing technical equipment. The building owner, equipment operator, and employer of the people using the premises may not be the same person.
Prepare the documentation and a list of changes
Do not send the inspection technician only an address and a request to “inspect everything.” Prepare the latest inspection report, available design documentation, switchboard diagrams, the external influences assessment protocol, and records showing that previous faults were repaired.
A list of changes since the last inspection is also important:
- a new switchboard, circuit, or socket;
- newly connected machinery, a compressor, a wallbox, or a photovoltaic system;
- modifications to overcurrent or protective devices;
- refurbishment of an office, warehouse, or workshop;
- work carried out after a fault, fire, or flood;
- a change in the purpose of the premises;
- a change in the environment or stored substances.
Do not conceal missing documentation. The inspection technician needs to know what is available and what will have to be verified or supplemented on site.
Arrange an assessment of the actual scope
In your enquiry, specify the premises, type of equipment, scope and date of the latest report, known faults, and changes made since the last inspection. State whether the equipment can be shut down and which parts of the operation are critical.
For designated electrical equipment, verify that the inspection will be performed by an inspection technician whose certificate covers the relevant scope. The resulting report should clearly identify the subject of the inspection, the supporting documents used, the work performed, the measured values, the faults found, and the conclusion regarding safe operation.
The inspection result cannot be reliably predicted before the examination and measurements take place. Even photographs of a switchboard cannot replace verification of the actual wiring and protective measures.
If you need to determine the scope, carry out measurements, and prepare an inspection report, we provide electrical inspections for companies and commercial premises. The latest report and a brief list of changes will help in advance, even if the documentation is incomplete.
How to compare quotes
The price depends mainly on the extent of the installation, the number of switchboards and circuits, equipment accessibility, the condition of the documentation, operating conditions, and whether a shutdown is possible. Fault repairs, supplementary documentation, or a follow-up check after repairs may be charged separately.
Compare quotes based on the same defined scope. An inspection of one switchboard is not comparable to an inspection of an entire facility. Check whether the quote includes the examination, required measurements, preparation of the report, travel, and any follow-up check.
After the inspection, track more than the next date
Do not record only the year of the next inspection. For each entry, retain:
- the equipment designation and exact scope;
- the date and type of inspection performed;
- the inspection report;
- identified faults and deadlines for addressing them;
- evidence of completed repairs;
- modifications to the equipment during operation;
- the person responsible for monitoring the records;
- the scheduled date of the next verification.
Set reminders well in advance. Review the records when moving premises, taking over leased space, changing the responsible person, or making significant modifications to the installation. The purpose is not merely to remember a date, but to preserve the link between inspections, repairs, and equipment changes.
In brief
When an electrical inspection has expired, first identify which equipment and scope it covers. Distinguish between a missing current document and a specific technical fault. If there is smoke, sparking, exposed live parts, or another clearly dangerous condition, prevent use of the affected section and call for professional assistance. In other cases, prepare the latest report and a list of changes, then arrange a professional assessment without prejudging the inspection result.
Frequently asked questions
Can the equipment remain in operation until the inspection technician arrives?
This cannot be confirmed without knowing the equipment, its condition, and its operating environment. For designated electrical equipment, the absence of an inspection completed within the prescribed interval has legal significance. Specific restrictions should be based on a risk assessment, not solely on a date in the calendar.
Does an expired inspection mean there is a technical fault?
No. A missed deadline does not itself prove that a conductor is damaged or a protective measure is defective. It does, however, mean that there is no current documented verification of the equipment’s condition. Specific faults must be recorded and addressed separately.
Is it enough to call a regular electrician?
It depends on the required service. Diagnosing a fault, repairing it, and performing an inspection are different activities. An inspection of designated electrical equipment must be carried out by an inspection technician whose certificate covers the appropriate scope. When placing the order, explain whether you need a fault diagnosed, a repair performed, or an inspection report prepared.
What if we do not have the latest inspection report?
Check the company archive and contact the building manager, landlord, and previous contractor. Tell the inspection technician that the report is missing before the visit. Depending on the equipment and the available documents, a broader verification or additional documentation may be required.
Can a new inspection report be issued with an earlier date?
An inspection report should record the examinations, tests, and measurements that were actually performed. Address the gap in the records by arranging a current inspection and recording the measures taken, not by changing the date on which the inspection actually occurred.
Sources for this article
- Electrical inspections – a SOHE service.
- Electrical installation inspection intervals under ČSN 33 1500 – an overview of the factors used to set the next inspection date.
- Person responsible for electrical equipment and person in charge of work – an explanation of responsibilities when operating electrical equipment.
- Operating documentation for electrical equipment – an overview of the documents required for operation, maintenance, and inspections.
- Zákon č. 309/2006 Sb. – occupational health and safety requirements, including the maintenance, checks, and inspections of equipment.
- Zákon č. 250/2021 Sb. – the legal framework for the safety of designated technical equipment.
- Nařízení vlády č. 190/2022 Sb. – requirements for designated electrical equipment and its inspection.
This article is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. The specific operating regime for an electrical installation or other electrical equipment must be determined according to the actual operation, the manufacturer’s documentation, the environment in which it is used, and the risk assessment.
Do you need to verify the scope of your equipment and arrange an electrical inspection? Send us your latest inspection report or a basic description of your premises through our no-obligation enquiry form, or email info@sohe.cz.