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Electrical Courses: Safety, 18th Edition, Testing & EV Charging

Electrical training covers two different needs. Electrical safety courses help anyone who works with or near electricity understand the risks and meet the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989. Electrical qualifications such as the City & Guilds 18th Edition, 2391 inspection and testing, PAT testing and EV charging give electricians and maintenance staff the recognised certificates their work requires. Both are listed here, in the classroom and by e-learning.

The lawElectricity at Work Regulations 1989Everyone working on or near electrical systems must be competent
Wiring regulations18th Edition, BS 7671The City & Guilds 2382 qualification for practising electricians
Inspection and testingCity & Guilds 2391-52Initial verification and periodic inspection, including EICRs
Ways to learnClassroom and e-learningOr on site for a whole team

Which electrical course do you need?

Start with what the person does. Someone who uses electrical equipment needs awareness; someone who installs, tests or certifies it needs a qualification.

You are an electrician or electrical engineer

  • City & Guilds 2382 18th Edition – the Wiring Regulations qualification every practising electrician is expected to hold, and the usual first step before inspection and testing
  • City & Guilds 2391-52 Inspection and Testing – initial verification of new work and periodic inspection of existing installations, the basis for signing off EICRs
  • City & Guilds 2921-34 EV Charging – designing and installing domestic and small commercial electric vehicle charging points

You test equipment or manage electrical risk

  • PAT testing – in-service inspection and testing of portable electrical equipment, including the City & Guilds 2377-77 qualification
  • Electrical safety awareness – short courses for anyone who uses electrical equipment at work, covering hazards, safe use and when to report a fault
  • Managing electrical safety – for supervisors and managers: controlling electrical hazards, overhead and buried power lines and high-risk work

The main electrical courses compared

Typically 3 days

18th Edition Wiring Regulations

City & Guilds 2382. The structure and requirements of BS 7671, finishing with a multiple choice exam.

Typically 5 days

2391-52 Inspection and Testing

Combined initial verification and periodic inspection. For electricians with a Level 3 qualification and a current 18th Edition.

Typically 2 days

2921-34 EV Charging

Level 3 award in the requirements for designing and installing EV charging equipment. It supersedes the earlier 2921-31.

1 to 2 days

PAT Testing

How to inspect and test portable appliances, record results and decide what is safe to keep using.

Short course

Electrical Safety Awareness

The dangers of electricity, safe use of equipment, visual checks and reporting faults. No previous knowledge needed.

What electrical training covers

Content depends on the level of the course, but these subjects run through the range.

  • The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
  • Electric shock, burns, arcing and fire risks
  • Safe isolation and safe systems of work
  • Visual inspection and user checks
  • BS 7671 wiring regulations
  • Test instruments, test sequences and results
  • Certificates and condition reports (EICRs)
  • Portable appliance inspection and testing
  • EV charging equipment design and installation
  • Overhead and buried power lines

Is electrical training a legal requirement?

The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require anyone carrying out electrical work to be competent to do it safely, or to be supervised by someone who is. Employers must also keep electrical systems and equipment maintained so they are safe, which is where PAT testing and inspection and testing come in. There is no fixed legal interval for PAT testing; how often equipment is checked should reflect the risk. Private landlords in England must have an electrical installation inspected and tested at least every five years, which is why 2391-qualified inspectors are in steady demand. The free training matrix shows where electrical training fits alongside everything else your roles need.

Keeping qualifications current

When BS 7671 is amended, electricians are expected to update their 18th Edition knowledge, and the 2391 relies on a current 18th Edition. Awareness certificates are usually refreshed every few years. Check your expiry dates so nothing lapses.

Common questions

What is the 18th Edition?

The 18th Edition is BS 7671, the IET Wiring Regulations that set the standard for electrical installations in the UK. The City & Guilds 2382 qualification shows an electrician understands the current regulations and is expected across the industry.

What does the 2391 qualify me to do?

The City & Guilds 2391-52 covers the inspection, testing and certification of electrical installations: initial verification of new work and periodic inspection of existing installations, including Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs). Candidates normally need a Level 3 electrical qualification and a current 18th Edition first.

Who can take the EV charging course?

The City & Guilds 2921-34 is for practising electricians. Course pages set out the entry requirements, usually a recognised Level 3 electrotechnical qualification, an ECS Gold Card or a JIB card.

Do I need to be an electrician to do PAT testing?

No. PAT testing courses are open to maintenance staff, facilities teams and anyone responsible for checking portable equipment. You do need to be competent, which is what the training provides.

How often should portable appliances be tested?

There is no single legal interval. The frequency should be based on the type of equipment, how it is used and the environment, with more frequent checks for equipment that is moved often or used in harsh conditions.

Is electrical safety awareness training enough for electrical work?

No. Awareness training is for people who use electrical equipment. Anyone installing, altering, testing or certifying electrical systems needs the relevant qualification and experience.

Compare electrical course dates below

Envico lists electrical training from approved providers across the UK, so you can compare dates, venues and formats in one place. See all City & Guilds courses or the wider construction and engineering range. Training a team? The free group travel cost calculator shows which venue is cheapest for everyone to reach, and whether an on-site course works out better.

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