The periodic inspection isn't a one-off formality — it's the "roadworthiness test" for your electrical network

A periodic electrical inspection can be compared to a car's roadworthiness test: it doesn't depend on how often you "use" the wiring, but on the simple fact of being connected to the grid. Any installation in service — that is, connected — must be inspected periodically, just as a registered vehicle allowed on public roads must pass its technical inspection.

The frequency depends on the type of premises and is set at 1, 5, 10 or 20 years — for most private homes, it's generally 10 or 20 years. The inspection body carries out a set of checks and measurements: the distribution board, sockets, protective devices, earthing and other elements of the installation.

Who's responsible for the inspection, and why the electrician can't inspect their own work

Here lies a rule that surprises many owners. The OIBT establishes a fundamental principle: the independence of the inspection. The electrician who carried out the installation, repair or maintenance of your system is not permitted to inspect it. Likewise, the inspector who carried out the check is not permitted to carry out any resulting corrective work themselves. This separation guarantees the objectivity of the assessment and rigorous application of the standards.

In practice, this means the inspection and the correction of defects must be handled by different parties (or, at the very least, the inspection must be carried out by an accredited, independent body). Responsibility for organising the inspection rests with the property owner.

RaSi and CSE: two documents that are easy to confuse

In the field of electrical safety, two similarly named documents are often mixed up. The RaSi (safety report) is drawn up by the installer themselves following the final check, when an installation is commissioned or after significant work; it's the installer's mandatory self-certification. The CSE (electrical safety certificate) is issued by an independent, accredited inspection body (ESTI), either at the initial commissioning of certain categories of property (multi-unit buildings, higher-risk premises) or as part of periodic inspections. The CSE confirms compliance following an external, independent check.

The distinction matters: the RaSi is the installer's own attestation; the CSE is that of an independent inspector. A periodic inspection always concludes with this second type of document.

When an inspection is mandatory, beyond the scheduled interval

Several situations trigger an inspection regardless of the regular schedule. It's mandatory after 20 years for most residential properties, when selling a property, after significant work on the installation, and if an anomaly is noted by the insurer or the property management company (régie). When selling a property, if the safety report is more than 5 years old, the notary is required to have the installation re-inspected — a point that directly affects transaction timelines.

A special case: the energy supplier may require an inspection for installations accessible to the public or technically complex ones with an inspection interval of less than 20 years; the cost of this additional inspection then falls to the owner.

What happens if non-compliances are found

The distinction between the inspection itself and bringing the installation up to standard matters for budget planning. The OIBT inspection identifies anomalies; bringing the installation up to standard is the corrective work needed to meet the NIBT standards. This typically includes replacing outdated cabling, correcting insulation defects, securing circuits, and upgrading the distribution board if it's no longer compliant or is undersized for the home's current loads.

In the event of a serious non-compliance, the part of the installation concerned may be taken out of service until the problem is corrected — an extreme measure reserved for situations of genuine danger.

The distribution board: the most common weak point in older housing

In practice, the distribution board is most often the source of non-compliances in the older housing stock of Geneva and Lausanne. Old boards without residual-current protection, with too few circuit breakers, or with no spare capacity, can't cope with the demands of modern appliances — from induction hobs to EV charging stations. Upgrading the board in this context isn't just a formal requirement but a genuine matter of safety and everyday convenience.

How SmartHaus Swiss helps you pass the periodic inspection without surprises

We work on the preparation side: we carry out a full diagnosis of your installation before the official inspection, identify potential non-compliances and carry out the necessary corrective work in advance — replacing worn cabling, upgrading the board, installing missing protection. Our goal is for the official inspection to succeed the first time, with no re-checks or extra visits.

We respect the principle of inspection independence: when the official periodic inspection is carried out by an accredited body, we, as the contractor doing the remedial work, don't substitute for that function — we prepare the installation so it confidently passes that independent assessment.

Frequently asked questions

After how many years is an inspection mandatory for my apartment?

Usually 10 or 20 years for residential premises, depending on the type of installation. The exact interval is determined for the specific property.

Can the electrician who did my wiring inspect it themselves?

No. The OIBT explicitly prohibits the contractor who did the work from inspecting their own installation — the inspection must be independent.

What's the difference between the RaSi and the CSE?

The RaSi is the installer's self-check after the work. The CSE is a certificate issued by an independent accredited body after an external inspection.

Is a new inspection needed when selling an apartment?

If the safety report is more than 5 years old, the notary will require a new inspection of the installation — worth anticipating when planning a sale.

Can defects be corrected during the periodic inspection itself?

No, the corrective work and the inspection must be carried out separately to preserve the independence of the assessment. We prepare the installation in advance, before the official inspection.

OIBT/NIBT requirements, intervals and thresholds may be clarified and vary depending on the type of installation and the canton. Check the exact information for your property with an accredited inspection body or your electricity supplier.