33.—(1) The Department may appoint competent and impartial persons to be electrical inspectors under this Part.
(2) The duties of an electrical inspector under this Part shall be as follows—
(a)to inspect and test, periodically and in special cases, electric lines and electrical plant belonging to persons authorised by a licence or exemption to generate,[F1supply [F2, distribute] or participate in the transmission of] electricity;
(b)to examine, periodically and in special cases, the generation, transmission [F3, distribution] or supply of electricity by such persons;
(c)to inspect and test, if and when required by any consumer, any such lines and plant on the consumer's premises, for the purpose of determining whether any requirement imposed by or under this Part in respect of the lines or plant or the [F4conveyance] of electricity through or by them has been complied with; and
(d)such other duties as may be imposed by regulations under this Article or as the Department may determine.
(3) Regulations may—
(a)prescribe the manner in which and the times at which any duties are to be performed by electrical inspectors;
(b)require persons authorised by a licence or exemption to generate,[F5supply or participate in the transmission of] electricity—
(i)to furnish electrical inspectors with records or other information; and
(ii)to allow such inspectors access to premises and the use of electrical plant and other facilities;
[F6(c)make provision for relieving electricity distributors from any duty under Article 19 or for authorising them to disconnect any premises or distribution system in such cases as may be prescribed;]
(d)prescribe the amount of the fees which are to be payable to such inspectors.
(4) Any fees received by electrical inspectors shall be paid to the Department.
F1Words in art. 33(2)(a) substituted (3.7.2007) by Energy (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/419 (N.I. 6)), arts. 1(2), 65, Sch. 3 para. 11; S.R. 2007/320, art. 2, Sch. 1
F2Words in art. 33(2)(a) inserted (15.4.2011) by Gas and Electricity (Internal Markets) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/155), reg. 24
F3Words in art. 33(2)(b) inserted (1.11.2007) by Electricity Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/321), regs. 1(2), 11(1), Sch. 2 para. 6(a) (with transitional provisions in Pt. IV)
F4Word in art. 33(2)(c) substituted (1.11.2007) by Electricity Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/321), regs. 1(2), 11(1), Sch. 2 para. 6(b) (with transitional provisions in Pt. IV)
F5Words in art. 33(3)(b) substituted (3.7.2007) by Energy (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/419 (N.I. 6)), arts. 1(2), 65, Sch. 3 para. 11; S.R. 2007/320, art. 2, Sch. 1
F6Art. 33(3)(c) substituted (1.11.2007) by Electricity Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/321), regs. 1(2), 11(1), Sch. 2 para. 6(c) (with transitional provisions in Pt. IV)