What You Need to Know as Electrician in Ghana

Why Certification Matters in Ghana

Electrical work involves high risks. Therefore, wrong installations can cause fires, shocks, and even loss of life. Moreover, certification proves that you have the right training and knowledge.
In addition, it builds trust with clients and opens more job opportunities.

In Ghana, an electricity distribution utility is prohibited from supplying electricity to premises unless all requirements of the Electrical Wiring Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2008) have been met. “shall obtain approval in writing from an electricity distribution utility for the purpose.

Electrical Wiring Regulations (2) Sub-regulation (1) does not apply to premises which have not been connected to the electrical distribution network of the electricity distribution utility.”  This includes ensuring that the electrical wiring or installation has been undertaken by a certified electrician.

The Role of the Energy Commission

The Energy Commission of Ghana oversees the licensing of electricians. It sets the standards for wiring, enforces compliance, and penalises offenders. Every certified electrician must follow the Commission’s guidelines to remain in good standing.

Register of electrical contractors

Duties of a Certified Electrician

To comply with the regulations, a certified electrician must adhere to:

General Principles for Electrical Wiring (Regulation 3):

• 3(1) “A person who is required to undertake electrical wiring on premises shall do so in accordance with the general principles referred to in sub-regulation”.

Explanation:

This rule fundamentally means that anyone undertaking electrical work, for instance, installing new wiring, adding sockets, or modifying circuits, must adhere to a specific set of safety principles. Consequently, they cannot simply complete the work in any manner they see fit. Instead, these principles serve as the official, legally recognised “best practices” for ensuring a safe electrical installation. Therefore, compliance is not optional; it requires all electricians to perform work in a manner that protects persons, livestock and property from the dangers of electric shock, fire, and equipment damage, ensuring that all work meets a consistent and recognised national standard.

Electrical Wiring Regulations 3(2) Conductors and equipment must be of suitable construction and size to prevent excessive temperature rise, and be installed and protected to prevent danger to persons and property. They must also be maintainable.

Explanation:

This regulation mandates that every component of an electrical installation must be carefully selected and installed to ensure safety under normal use. Ultimately, the goal is to create a system that is not only safe when first switched on but also remains safe over its entire lifetime.

Electrical Wiring Regulations. 3(3).  “Each live conductor including a conductor that forms part of an apparatus shall be suitably placed, protected and safeguarded to prevent danger”.

 Explanation:

Live conductors are wires or parts that carry current, and they can harm you if touched. Therefore, live conductors must be carefully placed in safe positions to reduce danger. In addition, they need covers or barriers that stop direct contact. This way, you avoid accidental shocks when working nearby. Moreover, safeguards such as insulation or enclosures give extra protection. As a result, both people and equipment stay safe.

Regulations. 3(4). “An enclosure or support capable of conducting electrical energy or metal work of an electrical equipment other than a current-carrying conductor, shall be connected to earth, to prevent danger.”

Explanation:

The metal body of electrical equipment does not carry current. However, it can become live if a fault occurs. Therefore, enclosure or support capable of conducting current or metal of electrical equipment must be connected to earth for safety. This connection ensures dangerous current flows safely into the ground. As a result, it prevents shocks and protects people from harm.

Regulations. 3(5). “A circuit shall be protected against the persistence of excessive current which is likely to cause danger by the use of an appropriate circuit breaker or fuse.”

Explanation:

A circuit can carry only a safe amount of current. However, faults may cause current to rise too high. Therefore, circuit fuses or circuit breakers are required for protection. These devices cut off power when current becomes excessive. As a result, they prevent fire, damage, and danger to people.

Explanation: A protective device or switch must never break the earthed neutral conductor. Otherwise, the circuit could become unsafe. In the same way, it must not cut a protective earth path. This is because the earth connection is vital for safety. Therefore, switches and fuses should only control live conductors.

Electrical Wiring Regulations 3(7). “An effective means” for isolation of supply of electricity, suitably placed for ready operation shall be used to facilitate the disconnection of electricity supply from each part of an electrical equipment to prevent danger.”

Explanation:

This isolation allows the supply to be disconnected from any part of the equipment. Its purpose is to prevent danger during maintenance, testing, or in case of fault. So, every electrical installation must have an effective means of isolation. The isolator should also be placed where the isolator can be operated quickly and safely. 

Regulations 3(8). “Each piece of electrical equipment which requires operation or attention in normal use shall be installed to ensure adequate means of access and working space”.

Explanation:

Each electrical equipment must be installed at an appropriate height, so that you or an operator can reach it easily. This ensures safe and quick access. Also, there should be enough space around the electrical equipment. This allows proper movement when operating or maintaining it. which therefore, workers can easily perform tasks without risk. Finally, the rule helps improve safety and efficiency.

Regulations 3(9) “Each piece of electrical equipment which is exposed to the weather, corrosive atmosphere or other adverse condition shall be
(a) constructed or protected in the manner necessary to prevent danger; and
(b) protected by a flame proof enclosure of appropriate construction to prevent danger where the
conditions include exposure to inflammable surroundings or an explosive environment.”

Explanation:

If electrical equipment is placed in rain, dust, or harsh conditions, it must be built to stay safe. Moreover, when exposed to fire risks or explosive surroundings, the electrical equipment must be protected with a flameproof enclosure. This flameproof or fireproof protection prevents danger and ensures the equipment works safely in those environments.

Quality of Materials (Regulation 4):

“A person shall not use a material for electrical wiring unless that material is
(a) capable of maintaining the integrity of an electrical equipment or installation under
environmental conditions stipulated by the manufacturer of the material for electrical wiring; and
(b) approved by the Standards Authority.”

Explanation:

You must not use any electrical wiring material unless it meets these conditions. First, the electrical material must be able to stay reliable under the environmental conditions stated by its manufacturer. Next, the material must also be approved by the Standards Authority. This is to ensure only electrical wiring materials that are both durable and officially approved can be used for electrical installations.

Ghana Standards for Electrical Wiring (Regulation 5):

All electrical wiring must be carried out in accordance with the Ghana Standards for electrical wiring (GS FDGS 1009). This standard addresses requirements for control and distribution of electricity, protective measures for safety, selection and erection of equipment, special installations, locations, structures, and inspection and testing. Its primary purpose is to safeguard persons and property from electrical hazards.

Approval and Notification for Electrical Wiring (Regulation 6):

• For any temporary or permanent alteration to electrical wiring, or installation of additional fixed electrical equipment requiring alteration, written approval must be obtained from an electricity distribution utility (this does not apply to premises not yet connected to the network)
• 6(3) Written notice of the commencement and completion of such works must be submitted to the electricity distribution utility
• The electrician must afford an authorised employee of the utility the opportunity for inspection and testing during and upon completion of the works

Inspection and Testing (Regulation 11):

• 11(a) Electrical wiring must be inspected and tested before being put into use, and again if any additions or alterations are made to the fixed wiring
• 11(b) During inspection and testing, precautions must be taken to avoid causing danger to persons and damage to property
• 11(d) Upon satisfactory inspection and testing, a completed and signed Electrical Installation Certificate and the schedule of inspection and test results must be provided to the person who requested the inspection
• 11(3) Periodic inspection and testing intervals are determined by the distribution utility based on the installation’s type, use, maintenance schedule, and environmental influences

General Contravention (Regulation 13):

Regulation 13 of Electrical Wiring Regulations, 2011 L.I.2008 “A person who contravenes a provision of these Regulations for which a penalty is not provided,
commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not more than two hundred
and fifty penalty units or to a term of imprisonment of not more than two years or to both and in
addition, the supply of electricity may be disconnected from the premises on which the electrical
wiring was undertaken.”

Clients, House owners, Business Offices, Facilities owners and all types of building structures: The supply of electricity may be disconnected from the premises on which the electrical
wiring was undertaken by Unlicensed Electricians.

Offence: Practising without a licence

Section: 11 (1): “A person shall not carry out electrical wiring unless that person is certified as a Licensed Electrical Wiring Professional by the Energy Commission.“

Penalty: Fine of 250 penalty units or imprisonment of up to 2 years, or both.

Explanation: You must hold a valid licence before carrying out electrical work. If you work without one, you commit an offence. The law requires this to stop unqualified persons from endangering lives.

Additional Consequence: In addition, the supply of electricity may be disconnected from the premises where the non-compliant electrical wiring was undertaken.

Disconnection for Non-Compliance (Regulation 10(2)):

An electricity distribution utility shall disconnect electricity supply to premises if Regulations 4 to 7 (Quality of Materials, Ghana Standards, Approval and Notification, and Qualified Persons to Undertake Electrical Wiring) have not been complied with

Reconnection after Contravention (Regulation 10(3) & (4)):

• If electricity supply has been disconnected due to non-compliance with Regulations 4 to 7, the person may apply for reconnection
• Reconnection can only be obtained with written approval from the electricity distribution utility, and only if the defective wiring has been rectified

Obstructing an Inspector (Regulation 12(2)):

Offence: A person who obstructs an inspector in the performance of their official functions commits an offence

Penalty: On summary conviction, the person is liable to a fine of not more than one hundred penalty units. For a continuing offence, there is a further fine of ten penalty units for each day during which the offence continues after written notice has been served on the offender by the inspector

Note: You can find more details in the Electrical Wiring Regutions 2012 (L.I. 2008).

You can purchase the Electrical Wiring Regulations 2011, L.I. 2008 at the Ghana Publishing Company (Assembly Press) in Tudu, Accra, located before the Accra Technical University.