Activity types
About activity types
A company can be registered for one or more activity types. The Electrical Safety Act also states that the company must have a self-audit scheme describing the company's electrical installation activity within the selected activity types. In addition, the activity type is linked to the electrician's authorisation.
The activity types are described in full in the regulations ELSÄK-FS 2017:3.
Activity types in low-voltage installations
Residential buildings
Companies registered as working in the activity type 'Residential buildings' are allowed to do all kinds of electrical installation work on electrical installations in residential buildings. 'Residential buildings' also include related buildings like garages, garden sheds, etc. An electrical installation in the activity type 'Residential buildings' is usually terminated by a standard socket or a junction box for the permanent connection of cookers, washing machines or heat pumps. Electrical equipment connected to the socket or the junction box does not form part of the electrical installation.
A company laying underground cables for residential buildings must be registered for this activity type.
A company registered for 'Residential buildings' is also allowed to work in the activity types 'Machinery' and 'Heating, cooling and ventilation'.
If you run a farm and/or stables, you must engage an electrical installation company in the activity type 'Other installations for the use of electricity'.
If you plan to install a system which generates electricity, such as a solar cell system, you must engage an electrical installation company in the activity type 'Electrical installations for generation of electrical energy'.
Other installations for the use of electricity
Companies registered as working in the activity type 'Other installations for the use of electricity' are allowed to do all kinds of electrical installation work on electrical installations in street lighting, industry, farms/stables, areas with an increased fire risk, explosive atmospheres and health care facilities.
Public spaces
Companies registered as working in the activity type 'Public spaces' are allowed to do all kinds of electrical installation work in places like offices, restaurants, schools or other commercial or public premises.
An electrical installation in the activity type 'Public spaces' is usually terminated by a standard socket or a junction box for the permanent connection of griddles, printers, computers, etc. Electrical equipment connected to a socket or junction box does not form part of the electrical installation.
Electric power network-low voltage
Companies registered as working in the activity type 'Electric power network-low voltage' are allowed to carry out electrical installation work in installations or sub-installations for general distribution via concessionary grids. Concessionary means that permission is needed from the government (the Swedish Energy Markets Inspectorate) for example to erect power lines over public land.
Electrical installations for generation of electric energy
Companies registered as working in the activity type 'Electrical installations for generation of electric energy' are allowed to carry out all kinds of electrical installation work in solar cell installations, battery storage, installations in hydroelectric and wind power, backup power, and power supply to safety systems.
All electrical installation work on solar cell systems – such as installing cables and accessories, wiring in connectors, and connecting to the mains – must be carried out by an electrical installation company in this activity type. Assembling frames or attachment systems and physically installing the solar cells are not covered by the rules on electrical installation work.
Railway operation-low voltage
Companies registered as working in the activity type 'Railway operation-low voltage' are allowed to carry out all kinds of electrical installation work on installations <1000 V AC or <1500 V DC for railway, light rail, underground railway and trolley bus operation.
Limited activity types in low-voltage installations
Lifts, gates and escalators
Companies registered as working in the activity type 'Lifts, gates and escalators' are allowed to carry out the following electrical installation work in existing final circuits:
- Permanent connection and disconnection of lifts, gates and escalators.
- Installation of light fittings, switches and sockets.
Note that companies registered as working in the activity type 'Lifts, gates and escalators' are not allowed to carry out electrical installation work in distribution boxes.
Machinery
Companies registered as working in the activity type 'Machinery' are allowed to carry out the following electrical installation work in existing final circuits:
- Permanent connection and disconnection of machinery, motors and equipment such as washing machines, griddles and industrial machinery.
- Installation of light fittings, switches and sockets.
Note that companies registered as working in the activity type 'Machinery' are not allowed to carry out electrical installation work in distribution boxes.
Heating, cooling and ventilation
Companies registered as working in the activity type 'Heating, cooling and ventilation' are allowed to carry out the following electrical installation work in existing final circuits:
- Permanent connection and disconnection of heating, cooling and ventilation systems, for example heat pumps, circulating pumps and refrigeration units.
- Installation of light fittings, switches and sockets.
Note that companies registered as working in the activity type 'Heating, cooling and ventilation' are not allowed to carry out electrical installation work in distribution boxes.
Special activity types
Underground cable laying
Companies registered as working in the activity type 'Cable laying' are allowed to carry out limited electrical installation work in installations and sub-installations for general distribution via concessionary networks. The activity type covers the following work in all voltage ranges:
- Laying underground cables, including installing the associated cable cabinets, posts, earth terminals, and installing longitudinal earth wires,
- Cable pulling and feeding of overhead cable, and
- Simultaneously installing cables belonging to non-concessionary networks when carrying out electrical installation work in accordance with the first paragraph, for example cables for street lighting.
Concessionary means that permission is needed from the government (the Swedish Energy Markets Inspectorate) for example to erect power lines over public land.
Note that a company which is only registered as working in this activity type is not allowed to lay underground cables as part of any other activity type.
Activity types in high-voltage installations
Electric power network
Companies registered as working in the activity type 'Electric power network' are allowed to carry out all electrical installation work in installations or sub-installations for general distribution via concessionary grids. Examples include transmission and distribution installations and railway electricity distribution systems. Concessionary means that permission is needed from the government (the Swedish Energy Markets Inspectorate) for example to erect power lines over public land.
Other installations
Companies registered as working in the activity type 'Other installations' are allowed to carry out all electrical installation work in installations or sub-installations which are not covered by 'Electric power network' or 'Railway operation'. Examples include installations for the production and distribution of electricity in industrial environments, such as networks, switchgear, transformers, motors, frequency converters, reactive power compensation equipment.
Railway operation
Companies registered as working in the activity type 'Railway operation' are allowed to carry out all electrical installation work involving railway installations. Examples include auxiliary power and catenary installations.
