The Difference Between an Electrical COC and an Electric Fence COC
If you are selling a property in South Africa, chances are you have heard that you need a Certificate of Compliance before transfer can take place. Understanding the difference between an Electrical COC and an Electric Fence COC can save you from last-minute surprises that delay your transfer.
1. What Is an Electrical COC?
An Electrical Certificate of Compliance is a legal document that confirms the fixed electrical installation in your home is safe and compliant with the South African Wiring Code, SANS 10142-1. This covers everything that is permanently wired into the property, including your distribution board, plug points, light fittings etc.
The certificate can only be issued by a qualified electrician who is registered with the Department of Labour and holds a valid wireman’s licence.
An Electrical COC is required by law whenever a property is sold, and must be in place before transfer can be registered at the Deeds Office.
2. What Is an Electric Fence COC?
An Electric Fence Certificate of Compliance is an entirely separate document. It certifies that the electric fence system installed on your property complies with SANS 10222-3, which is the South African standard governing electric fence installations.
This certificate can only be issued by a registered Electric Fence System Installer (EFSI), a designation that is separate from a general electrician’s registration. Not every electrician is qualified or registered to issue an Electric Fence COC, so it is important to confirm that the person you appoint holds the correct EFSI registration.
The inspection covers the energiser, the fence lines, earthing, warning signs, and the overall safety of the system to ensure it operates within the legal parameters for voltage output and accessibility.
3. Are Both Required When Selling a Property?
If your property has an electric fence, then yes, both certificates are required before transfer can proceed. The Electrical COC covers the internal wiring of the home, while the Electric Fence COC covers the perimeter security system. They address different installations, fall under different regulations, and are issued by different categories of registered professionals.
A common mistake sellers make is assuming that because they have an Electrical COC, the electric fence is covered. It is not. The two documents are completely independent of one another.
4. How Long Are They Valid?
An Electrical COC does not carry a fixed expiry date, but for property transfer purposes it must reflect the current state of the installation. If any electrical work has been done since the certificate was issued, a new inspection is required. Conveyancers will also reject a certificate that is more than two years old.
If the fence has been altered or added to since the last certificate was issued, a new inspection and certificate are required before the old one can be transferred. A new Electric Fence COC is also always required when a new electric fence is installed.
5. Who Can Issue Each Certificate?
This is where many homeowners get caught out. It is possible for the same individual to hold both a wireman’s licence and an EFSI registration, in which case they can issue both certificates. However, the two qualifications are not interchangeable. An electrician without EFSI registration cannot legally inspect or certify an electric fence, and an EFSI installer without a wireman’s licence cannot issue an Electrical COC.
When booking your compliance inspections, always confirm upfront which certificates the person is qualified to issue. If your property needs both, it is worth finding out whether a single registered professional can handle both inspections to save time and simplify the process.
6. What Happens If You Only Have One and Not the Other?
If your property has an electric fence and you present only an Electrical COC at transfer, your conveyancer will flag the missing Electric Fence COC. This can cause delays in the transfer process, and in some cases push back your registration date at the Deeds Office. The same applies in reverse: an Electric Fence COC alone does not satisfy the requirement for an Electrical COC.
Both documents need to be in order before transfer can proceed, so it is worth addressing them early in the selling process rather than waiting until your conveyancer raises the issue.
We are qualified and registered to issue both Electrical and Electric Fence Certificates. We service Roodepoort, Randburg and Krugersdorp. Contact us today to book your COC inspection.