Inspections of Electrical Appliances and Flexible Cords: What Do Companies Often Overlook?
The electrical system inspection is usually fine, as is the lightning rod inspection—and yet the company may still be violating regulations because of a simple extension cord next to the copier or an electric kettle in the kitchenette that an employee brought from home. This is because electrical appliances and portable cords are assessed separately, outside the scope of the fixed electrical system inspection, and in practice, companies most often overlook them.
Inspections and checks of electrical appliances during their use are governed by the ČSN 33 1600, 2nd edition, standard (formerly designated as ČSN 33 1610), as part of the general regulations set forth in Act No. 250/2021 Coll. and Government Regulation No. 190/2022 Coll. on designated technical electrical equipment. Unlike inspections of fixed electrical installations, where the building and its wiring are evaluated as a whole, here each individual appliance and every portable power cord or extension cord that is actually used during operation is assessed — from office equipment to kitchen appliances to hand tools.
If you’re still unsure how appliance inspections fit into a building operator’s overall responsibilities, check out these articles Inspection of Electrical Wiring in a Commercial Building or Who is responsible for inspections at the company? — This article focuses specifically on appliances and power cords—that is, the aspect of inspections that is most often overlooked in practice.
An inspection and a service check of an appliance are not the same thing
The standard distinguishes between two levels of verification. Inspection — a basic visual inspection and simple tests without measuring instruments — in some cases, this can even be performed by a trained appliance operator. Audit — that is, an inspection supplemented by measurements (insulation resistance, continuity of the protective conductor) and a functional test — may only be performed by a certified inspection technician with the appropriate qualifications. Which procedure is used and how often is determined by the manner and environment in which a specific appliance is used, not by its price or how important the company considers it to be.
Why Do the Time Limits Vary for Different Appliances?
The standard classifies appliances into groups based on how and where they are used—and it is this classification, together with the appliance’s protection class (I, II, or III), that determines how often inspections or reviews are conducted.
| Group | Typical Uses |
| A | Rented Appliances |
| B | Outdoor environments — buildings, agricultural operations |
| C | Industrial and Craft Activities in Interior Design |
| D | Publicly Accessible Areas |
| E | Administrative Operations — Offices |
The harsher the environment and the more intensive the use, the shorter the inspection interval—construction tools (Group B) are inspected on a monthly basis, while office equipment (Group E) typically lasts longer between inspections. However, the precise classification of a specific appliance into a group and the determination of the inspection interval are matters for a certified inspection technician—not something a company can simply estimate from a table.
| Note: The standard does not apply only to the appliance itself. Just like the appliance, its flexible power cord, extension cord, and power strip are also evaluated—these are not accessories that can be omitted from the inspection, but rather integral parts of the unit being evaluated. |
What Companies Most Often Overlook in Practice
Inspections of electrical installations are usually scheduled and monitored because they are visible—they involve distribution panels and fixed wiring, which are documented by the building manager. Appliances and power cords fall under the same requirement much less obviously, which is why companies often overlook them in practice:
• Appliances that employees brought from home — An electric kettle, a fan, a desk lamp, or a charger in a drawer are usually not listed in any company inventory, even though they are used in the workplace just like company equipment.
• Extension Cords and Power Strips — They have been in use for years without a single inspection, because no one considers a piece of cable to be “equipment” that should have its own inspection record.
• Tools and appliances used outside the main facility — Equipment that technicians take to construction sites or to customers’ locations can easily fall through the cracks in inventory records because it is not physically present in the building where regular inspections are conducted.
• Seasonal and Occasionally Used Appliances — Christmas lights, portable heaters, or fans that are only used for a few weeks a year can easily slip through the cracks in the inventory because they aren’t “visible” all year round.
Checklist: Do You Have Your Appliances and Utility Lines Under Control?
☐ Inventory of All Appliances
The list also includes appliances that employees brought to work, not just those purchased by the company.
☐ Extension Cords and Power Strips in the Inventory
They are classified and inspected as part of the equipment, not as an invisible accessory to the appliance.
☐ Known classification by use group
It is clear which group (A–E) each appliance falls into based on its intended use.
☐ Equipment included outside the main facility
Tools and equipment used on construction sites or at client locations are tracked in their own records and are subject to specific deadlines.
☐ Seasonal appliances included in the plan
Even appliances used only occasionally (heaters, lights) must have a valid inspection, not just those in daily use.
☐ Visible indication of the date of the next inspection
You can tell at a glance from the label or records when the appliance is due for its next inspection or service.
FAQ
Does an inspection technician have to inspect the appliances, or is an inspection by an in-house employee sufficient?
In some cases, a trained person may perform a basic inspection without taking measurements. An inspection that includes measurements may only be performed by a qualified inspection technician. The specific procedure to be used and the frequency of inspections are determined by the usage group and protection class of the specific appliance.
Do we also have to inspect the appliances that employees bring from home?
If an appliance is used in the workplace, it is subject to the same regulations as company equipment—the operator is responsible for the safety of electrical equipment in operation, regardless of who formally owns the appliance.
Do the same rules apply to extension cords as to appliances?
Yes. Flexible power cords, extension cords, and power strips are treated the same as the appliance to which they belong and must be included in the records as well as in inspections and reviews.
What are the risks if a company neglects appliance inspections and checks?
Similar to an electrical installation inspection, an inspection by the State Labor Inspection Office may result in penalties and orders to rectify the situation, and the insurance company may reduce or deny coverage if the damage was caused by an appliance or electrical wiring that had not undergone a valid inspection—see also the article on Fines for Failure to Conduct Inspections.
How often are appliance inspections or checks performed?
The interval depends on the appliance’s usage group and protection class and ranges from a few months for tools used outdoors to longer intervals for standard office equipment. The exact interval and classification into a group are determined by an inspection technician based on the specific operating conditions.
A database of appliances linked to technical documentation—not just an additional Excel spreadsheet
Dozens of small appliances and meters of extension cords are exactly the kind of items that get lost first in an Excel spreadsheet or a binder. That’s why we keep track of them the same way we do for inspections of large dedicated equipment—in INTECHI Client Portal:
• Tracking Deadlines — The system automatically tracks when the inspection or maintenance period for each appliance and utility line expires and sends an email notification well in advance so that no deadline goes unnoticed.
• Pairing with Device Cards — Even a small appliance or extension cord has its own card with a history of inspections, not just a summary record for the entire building.
• Automation of Follow-Up Steps — You can report a defective appliance or a damaged power cord directly as a repair or disposal request, and the INTECHI dispatch center will see it immediately.
• Complete records, even outside the main facility — Tools and appliances that technicians bring to construction sites or to customers are tracked and subject to the same monitoring deadlines as equipment located in the building.
• Document Processing and Archiving — You have digital records of appliance inspections and maintenance in one place, accessible at any time for verification or for your insurance company.
How INTECHI Handles It
Not sure if you have your appliances and power cords at your business under control, or is it time for an inspection after a long period of inactivity? INTECHI provides turnkey inspections and maintenance of electrical appliances and extension cords in commercial buildings—including a record of each item in client area at service.intechi.cz, where you can always find your appointments and service reports at your fingertips.
