What documentation must be kept for electrical service installations?

The requirement to maintain documentation for electrical service installations is crucial for ensuring safety and compliance with the National Electrical Code (NEC). Keeping comprehensive records that include installation details, testing results, and maintenance performed provides a clear history of the electrical system.

This documentation plays several roles:

1. Safety: It ensures that installations comply with safety standards and that any testing has demonstrated performance and safety of the electrical system.

2. Future Maintenance: With thorough records, future inspections and maintenance can be conducted more efficiently. Technicians can see past issues, designs, and modifications that may affect service.

3. Compliance: Regulatory bodies may require that certain documents be available for review to ensure that installations are compliant with local codes.

In contrast, retaining only installation invoices or having no documentation at all would leave gaps in critical historical context regarding the system's performance and reliability. Daily logs of electrical usage, while useful for tracking consumption, do not satisfy the requirement for documenting safety and maintenance history related to the system’s installation.