Electrical Inspection Failed — What Now? Step-by-Step Guide After a Negative Inspection
Your electrical inspection (keuring) came back negative? Don't panic — around 40% fail. Here's what the deficiency codes mean, how to fix the problems and what the re-inspection costs.
Electrical Inspection Failed — What Now? Step-by-Step Guide After a Negative Inspection
Don't panic. Around 40% of all electrical inspections (keuringen) in Belgium come back negative. A failed inspection doesn't mean your entire installation is dangerous — it's often formal deficiencies or easily fixable problems.
In this guide, you'll learn what to do after a negative inspection, what the deficiency codes mean and how to prepare for the re-inspection.
What Happens After a Negative Inspection?
After the inspection, you receive a detailed report from the inspection body (e.g. BTV, Vinçotte, AIB). This report lists all identified deficiencies, each with a code:
Understanding Deficiency Codes
| Code | Severity | Meaning | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| C1 | Minor | Minor deficiency, no immediate danger | Fix at the next opportunity |
| C2 | Medium | Deficiency that must be fixed in the medium term | Must be resolved by re-inspection |
| C3 | Severe | Serious danger — immediate action required | Fix immediately |
With C2 and C3 deficiencies, the inspection is negative and a re-inspection is required. With only C1 deficiencies, the inspection may still be positive.
Deadlines by Situation
Property Sale
If you are buying a property and the electrical inspection is negative, you as the buyer have an 18-month deadline from the purchase date to fix all deficiencies and obtain a positive re-inspection.
New Installation
For a new electrical installation (new build, complete renovation), the installation must be compliant BEFORE commissioning. The grid operator (Fluvius, ORES) only activates the power supply when a positive inspection certificate is presented.
Periodic Inspection
The periodic inspection (every 25 years for residential properties) gives a deadline stated in the report in case of a negative result — typically 1 year for the re-inspection.
Top 10 Reasons for Failure
| No. | Deficiency | AREI Article | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Missing or incorrect RCD (30 mA) | Art. 4.2.4.3 | Very frequent |
| 2 | Missing or outdated electrical plans (documentation requirement: Art. 9.1.2 Nr. 1 single-line diagram, Art. 9.1.2 Nr. 2 situation plan) | Art. 9.1.2 / 3.1.2 | Very frequent |
| 3 | Faulty earthing (earth resistance too high: Art. 4.2.4.3b sets 30 Ohm as the regulatory threshold — if exceeded, additional high-sensitivity residual-current devices are required; general formula: R_A x I_delta_n <= 50 V) | Art. 4.2.4.3b | Frequent |
| 4 | Missing labelling of circuits | Art. 6.4.6 | Frequent |
| 5 | Cables without protective conduit (XVB cables may be surface-mounted without conduit. VOB single-core wires must always be routed in conduit) | Art. 5.2.1.5 | Frequent |
| 6 | Bathroom zones not respected | Art. 7.1 | Medium |
| 7 | Missing main switch (or <40A) | Art. 5.3.5.1b | Medium |
| 8 | Breaker too large for cable cross-section | Art. 4.4.3.2 | Medium |
| 9 | Missing SPD for new installation | Art. 4.5.1 | New builds |
| 10 | Missing smoke detectors on situation plan (smoke detectors are not an AREI requirement per se, but a building/housing regulation — regional: Flanders, Wallonia, Brussels. Their absence may be noted as a remark in the inspection report) | Regional | Frequent |
Step by Step: After the Negative Inspection
Step 1: Read the Report Carefully
Go through each deficiency individually. Note down:
- Which code (C1/C2/C3)?
- Where exactly is the problem (room, circuit)?
- What exactly is the complaint?
Step 2: Set Priorities
Start with the C3 deficiencies (severe) — these represent immediate danger. Then the C2 deficiencies. C1 deficiencies can be addressed in parallel or later.
Step 3: Professional or DIY?
Many deficiencies can be fixed yourself:
- Apply labelling — label the circuit breakers in the distribution board
- Update the situation plan — create with PlanElec
- Install smoke detectors — simple ceiling mounting
For other deficiencies, you need an electrician:
- Retrofit or replace RCDs
- Improve earthing
- Route cables through protective conduit
- Install the main switch
Step 4: Update Plans
One of the most common deficiencies is a missing or outdated single-line diagram and situation plan. These must reflect the current state of the installation — not the state from 20 years ago.
Step 5: Schedule the Re-Inspection
It is recommended to schedule the re-inspection with the same inspection body that carried out the original inspection — however, the owner may also engage a different accredited inspection body. During the re-inspection, only the contested points are re-examined — not the entire installation.
Cost of Re-Inspection
The cost of a re-inspection typically ranges between EUR 80 and EUR 120, depending on the inspection body and the number of points to be checked. This is generally cheaper than the initial inspection.
Additionally, there are costs for fixing the deficiencies:
- Retrofitting an RCD: EUR 100-200 (material + labour)
- Improving earthing: EUR 200-500
- Having plans created: EUR 150-400 (or free with PlanElec)
- Installing a main switch: EUR 80-150
How PlanElec Helps
PlanElec can detect many of the most common reasons for failure BEFORE the inspection:
- Validation automatically checks for missing RCDs, incorrect protection sizing and more
- Single-line diagram is generated AREI-compliant — one of the most common deficiency reasons is eliminated
- Situation plan with correct AREI symbols
- Labelling of all circuits is automatically documented in the diagram
This way, you can avoid typical mistakes before the inspector arrives.
Related articles:
- Top 10 AREI Violations
- 30 mA RCD: When Is It Mandatory?
- Cable Cross-Section and Breaker: The Right Combination
Prepare optimally for the electrical inspection — with PlanElec, create AREI-compliant plans and detect deficiencies early. Get started →