Qualifications to repair / maintain EV Chargers? (Not Install)

Question

Hi, 
 I am seeking some UK electrical legislative information; having just been hired at an EV Charger Company. 
 I've contacted the NICEIC and IET, but still no response yet, so I am hoping this lovely community may be able to help! 
 
 Does anyone know of any UK legislative requirements that would impose mandatory qualifications on an engineer who would be repairing an existing EV charger on commercial properties? 
 
 Would such a role require a Qualified Electrician, or can any engineer that is satisfying the Electricity at Work Regulations perform this role? 
 For reference, I hold a Bachelors degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering. 
 
 Appreciate any help or advice! 
 Many thanks, 
 Chris

ChrisG102 · Accepted Answer

Thanks for sharing your insight and I agree with you both. There is significant in-house product training & Standard Operating Procedures that the installers follow, which I will also use for reference; just not for completing installations myself. I actually received feedback from NICEIC this morning, when I sent this same query to them. I will share their reply for anyone interested. 
 (TL;DR As a generic comment, there are no specific legislative requirements for qualifications) 
 " Hello Chris, 
 Thank you for your enquiry, 
 The Certsure Technical Helpline provides general information and guidance for compliance with the British Standard BS 7671, The Requirements for Electrical Installations, and matters concerning electrical safety within electrical installations designed, constructed, inspected and tested to BS 7671. Without detailed knowledge of the installation, we cannot offer advice specific to the installation and can only provide generic comments based on the information you have provided. 
 There are no specific requirements regarding qualifications needed for the work that you have described within your enquiry. As stated, Regulation 16 of the Electricity At Work Regulations 1989 would be the overriding factor, with the person undertaking the work needing to possess sufficient technical knowledge and/or experience to prevent danger or injury from occurring. 
 Regards, 
 NICEIC Technical Service"

Chris Pearson · Answer

That's an interesting question. 
 I haven't found anything on maintenance as such. 
 The installation must comply with EAWR 1989 as must any maintenance activities. HSE Guidance is useful, but it does not have the status of an ACOP. My feeling is that any maintenance needs to be performed safely, e.g. working dead as far as reasonably possible; and any repairs must be to the original standard. However, I don't think it is like working with gas equipment where you have to be registered just to turn a tap on or off.

OlympusMons · Answer

Part of maintenance of any piece of equipment includes whether it has been installed correctly. So a thorough knowledge of installation requirements is needed I would have thought. 
 It also depends on what the manufacturers' maintenance/servicing requirements are. They may insist on certain qualifications which may require their training on their equipment.

GTB · Answer

Hi Chris, 
 Certsure are quite correct in their response, the statutory legislation is Reg of the EAWR 1989 and being able to prove competance in the task/work to be undertaken. Now this all comes down to knowledge and experience and being able to prove that you have that if challenged. If you are being employed by a company they have a duty to ensure they only employ suitably trained and competant persons, so they either provide the traing etc or send you on courses. 
 
 Now if the work involves the installation itself and cables, protective devices and earhing provision of the EVSE then use and application and knowledge of the BS7671 regs plus the C.O.P 4th soon to be 5th Edition on EVSE will be essential and as Chris has pointed out being able to safely isolate all forms of energy and prove dead will be critical, there is also a C&G course on EVSE installations. 
 If the work is purely on the EVSE itself i.e the charging units and power cabinets, you would still need to be able to isolate correctly and have a knowledge of the installation, but without doubt these charging units other than domestic are quite complex beasts and manufacturers training, data and info will be critical to maintain them to keep warranty in place. I know a few manufacturers of high power chargers, anybody working to install or maintain them its at least a three day manufacturers course at the factory in europe. 
 I think it would be a challenge for an individual or any company just to do maintenance for a client on their EVSE without involvement and product training by the manufacturer. 
 
 Cheers GTB

Qualifications to repair / maintain EV Chargers? (Not Install)

Join us to get the best from IET EngX.

Community Rules & Guidelines