FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about electrical inspections and safety certificates.
General
What is a safety certificate (SiNa)?
A safety certificate (SiNa — Sicherheitsnachweis) is an official document that confirms the safety of your electrical installation. It is issued after a passed electrical inspection by a registered, independent safety consultant and is legally required.
Who is authorised to carry out electrical inspections?
Only registered, independent electrical safety consultants in accordance with the Low Voltage Installation Ordinance (NIV) Art. 27 may carry out electrical inspections and issue safety certificates. PrüfXpert GmbH is registered with ESTI (Federal Inspectorate for Heavy Current Installations) under inspection permit K-352577-4.
What happens if defects are found?
Defects found during the inspection are documented in a defect report. You will receive a clear list with a deadline for rectification. Minor defects usually have a deadline of 6 months; safety-relevant defects must be rectified immediately. After rectification, we carry out a follow-up inspection.
How long is a SiNa valid?
The validity period depends on the use of the building: residential buildings 20 years, office/commercial 10 years, industrial and public buildings 5 years. In the event of a change of ownership, a new inspection is required regardless.
Do I need an electrical inspection as a tenant?
No, responsibility for the periodic electrical inspection lies with the owner or the property management. As a tenant, you only need to provide access to the apartment when the inspection is scheduled.
Inspections & Process
How does an electrical inspection work?
The process in 4 steps: 1) Visual inspection of all visible installations, 2) Measurement of insulation resistance, earthing and loop impedance, 3) Functional testing of all residual current devices (RCD), 4) Documentation and creation of the safety certificate. The entire inspection takes 1–4 hours depending on property size.
How long does an inspection take?
An apartment/house takes approx. 1–2 hours, a multi-family building 2–4 hours depending on the number of units. Commercial properties vary in size. You will receive your SiNa within 24 hours digitally in the customer portal.
Do I need to be at home during the inspection?
Ideally yes, or an authorised representative. We need access to all rooms and the fuse box. For multi-family buildings, we coordinate access with the property management.
What is checked during a periodic inspection?
The following are checked: all circuits and fuses, insulation resistance of cables, protective conductors and earthing, residual current devices (trip time and trip current), condition of sockets, switches and distribution boards, as well as compliance with current standards (NIN).
What is the difference between acceptance and final inspection?
The final inspection is carried out by the electrical installation company after completion of the work and confirms that the installation has been built to standard. An installation can also be built by one company and inspected by another. The acceptance inspection, depending on the installation and requirement, is additionally performed by an independent inspection body in accordance with the Low Voltage Installation Ordinance and serves as external verification of safety before commissioning.
Prices & Booking
How much does an electrical inspection cost?
Our prices start from CHF 350 for a final inspection, from CHF 400 for an acceptance inspection, from CHF 450 for a periodic inspection and from CHF 480 for a change of ownership inspection. The exact price depends on the property size and number of units. Use our online price calculator for an instant estimate.
Are the prices fixed or are there additional costs?
We work with transparent fixed prices. Included in the price are the complete inspection, the safety certificate (SiNa), the inspection report and provision in the digital customer portal. Correspondence with the grid operator is also included in the price. Additional costs only arise for older buildings (pre-1990, +15%) or special requirements.
How quickly can I get an appointment?
As a rule, we can offer an appointment within 1–2 weeks. In urgent cases (e.g. change of ownership with notary appointment), an express service is also available. Contact us for availability.
How do I receive my SiNa after the inspection?
Your safety certificate is provided digitally in your customer portal within 24 hours after the inspection. You can download it as a PDF at any time. On request, we can also send it by email.
Can I book online?
Yes! Via our website you can submit a booking request around the clock. Select the desired service, enter your address and choose a preferred date. We confirm your appointment within 24 hours.
What happens if the grid operator's deadline has already expired?
This is usually not a problem. In our experience, grid operators are cooperative in such cases. If you commission us, we are happy to take over the correspondence and support you in clarifying a possible deadline extension.