What Does an EICR Test Involve?

An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is a comprehensive assessment of your property’s electrical safety. Whether you’re a homeowner, landlord, facilities manager, or business owner, understanding what an EICR test involves helps you prepare for the inspection and appreciate its importance in maintaining electrical safety. In this guide, we’ll take you through the entire EICR process, from initial assessment to the final report.

What is an EICR?

An EICR is a thorough examination of the electrical installations within your property. It identifies any damage, deterioration, defects, and conditions that may pose a danger. The inspection is conducted against the current BS 7671 IET Wiring Regulations, the national standard for electrical installations in the UK.

The report assesses the safety and condition of your fixed wiring, consumer unit, earthing and bonding arrangements, and other electrical components. It’s important to note that an EICR is different from PAT testing, which covers portable appliances rather than the fixed electrical installation.

What Happens During an EICR Inspection?

When we carry out an EICR at your property, we follow a systematic process to ensure every aspect of your electrical installation is thoroughly assessed. Here’s what you can expect:

Initial Assessment and Documentation

Before any testing begins, we’ll review the property’s electrical system layout, identify the consumer unit location, and discuss any known electrical issues. We’ll also review previous inspection reports if available. This preliminary stage helps us understand the scope of the installation and plan the inspection accordingly.

Visual Inspection

The EICR begins with a detailed visual examination of your electrical installation. We’ll inspect:

• Consumer unit (fuse box): Checking for signs of overheating, damage, and appropriate labelling
• Wiring and cables: Looking for visible damage, incorrect installations, or outdated wiring systems
• Sockets and switches: Examining for cracks, burn marks, or loose fittings
• Light fittings and accessories: Ensuring proper installation and safe condition
• Earthing and bonding connections: Verifying correct installation and secure connections
• RCD (Residual Current Device) protection: Confirming appropriate protection is in place

This visual inspection allows us to spot obvious hazards such as exposed live parts, damaged accessories, or non-compliant installations without needing to power down circuits.

Electrical Testing

Following the visual inspection, we conduct a series of electrical tests. This is where the power will need to be temporarily switched off to various circuits, though we aim to minimise disruption to your property.

The testing phase includes:

Continuity Testing: We verify that protective conductors are continuous and properly connected, ensuring that in the event of a fault, protective devices will operate correctly.

Insulation Resistance Testing: This measures the resistance of the wiring insulation to ensure there are no current leakages that could cause electric shocks or fire hazards.

Polarity Testing: We confirm that all connections are correctly wired and that live and neutral conductors aren’t reversed, which could create serious safety risks.

Earth Fault Loop Impedance Testing: This test ensures that if a fault occurs, sufficient current will flow to trip the protective device quickly enough to prevent danger.

RCD Testing: We test that Residual Current Devices operate within the correct time parameters to protect against electric shock.

Circuit Testing: Each circuit is tested individually, though it’s worth noting that we typically perform sample testing on sockets and outlets rather than testing every single one. However, if issues are identified, we’ll conduct more comprehensive testing in that area.

Access Requirements

During the inspection, we’ll need access to:

• The consumer unit and distribution boards
• A representative sample of sockets and switches throughout the property
• Light fittings (where safely accessible)
• Fixed appliances such as electric showers or cookers
• Loft spaces, cupboards, or other areas where wiring may be routed

You don’t need to unplug all appliances, but we may ask you to unplug certain items during specific tests to ensure accurate readings.

Understanding Power Interruptions

One of the most common questions we receive is about power disruptions during the EICR. The straightforward answer is yes, power will need to be switched off, but typically only to specific circuits at a time rather than the entire property simultaneously.

The duration of power loss depends on your property size and complexity. For a typical two-bedroom property, individual circuits may be off for 15-30 minutes each. A larger property with more circuits will naturally take longer overall, but we work efficiently to minimise inconvenience. We’ll always keep you informed throughout the process.

EICR Fault Codes Explained

Once the inspection and testing are complete, we’ll document our findings using a standardised coding system. Understanding these codes helps you appreciate the urgency of any remedial work required:

C1 – Danger Present: This indicates an immediate risk to safety. The installation poses a danger and requires urgent remedial action. We would typically recommend not using the affected circuit until repairs are completed.

C2 – Potentially Dangerous: These defects could potentially become dangerous and require urgent remedial work. While not an immediate danger, C2 issues should be addressed as soon as possible.

C3 – Improvement Recommended: This suggests that while the installation isn’t currently dangerous, improvements would enhance safety and bring the installation up to current standards.

FI – Further Investigation Required: In some cases, we may be unable to fully inspect or test a particular aspect of the installation, requiring further investigation before a definitive assessment can be made.

A property passes an EICR only if there are no C1 or C2 codes. Properties with C3 observations can still receive a satisfactory rating, though we’d recommend addressing these improvements when practical.

What Gets Inspected and Tested?

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the key components we examine during an EICR:

Consumer Unit

Your consumer unit is the heart of your electrical installation. We’ll check it’s in good condition, properly labelled, and fitted with appropriate protective devices. Older fuse boxes may require upgrading to modern consumer units with RCD protection.

Earthing and Bonding

Proper earthing and bonding are critical safety features. We’ll verify that the main earthing terminal is correctly installed and that supplementary bonding is present where required, particularly in high-risk areas like bathrooms and kitchens.

RCD Protection

Modern regulations require RCD protection for most circuits. We’ll test that RCDs are present where required and functioning within specified time limits to protect against electric shock.

Circuit Breakers and Protective Devices

Each circuit should have appropriate protection. We’ll verify that circuit breakers are correctly rated for the cables they protect and that they’ll operate quickly enough in fault conditions.

Fixed Wiring

We’ll inspect accessible wiring throughout your property, looking for damage, inappropriate installation methods, or cable types that pose risks. We’ll also test the integrity of the insulation and conductors.

Sockets, Switches, and Accessories

All accessible electrical accessories will be visually inspected and a representative sample tested. We’ll check for secure fixing, damage, and proper installation.

Who Can Carry Out an EICR?

EICRs must be conducted by qualified and competent electricians. At TJC Fire & Electrical, we have extensive industry experience and hold the necessary qualifications to carry out comprehensive electrical inspections. We adhere to and exceed relevant British electrical standards and health and safety legislation.

It’s essential to use a registered electrician, ideally one registered with a competent person scheme such as NICEIC. This ensures the inspection meets regulatory requirements and that the resulting certificate will be accepted by insurers, local authorities, and tenants.

How Often Do You Need an EICR?

The frequency of EICR inspections depends on your property type and use:

Landlords: Under UK government regulations, landlords must have an EICR carried out at least every five years for rental properties, or more frequently if the previous report recommends it. You must provide a copy of the EICR to new and existing tenants.

Homeowners: For domestic properties, we recommend an EICR every 10 years as a general guideline. However, you should consider one sooner if you’re experiencing electrical problems, have made significant alterations, or are buying or selling a property.

Commercial Properties: Businesses and facilities managers should arrange EICRs at least every five years, though some commercial installations may require more frequent testing depending on the nature of the business and the installation’s complexity.

How Long Does an EICR Take?

The duration of an EICR varies based on several factors:

• Property size: Larger properties with more circuits naturally take longer
• Installation complexity: Properties with multiple consumer units or complex wiring arrangements require more time
• Property condition: Older installations or those with visible issues may require additional investigation
• Accessibility: Easy access to electrical components speeds up the process

As a general guide:

• One to two-bedroom property: 2-4 hours
• Three to four-bedroom property: 3-5 hours
• Larger domestic or small commercial properties: 5-8 hours or more

We’ll always keep you informed throughout the entire process, from project inception to completion, ensuring you understand what we’re doing and how long it will take.

What Happens After the EICR?

Once we’ve completed the inspection and testing, we’ll compile a detailed report documenting our findings. The report will include:

• Details of the installation tested
• The condition of the installation
• Any defects or observations coded according to severity
• Recommendations for remedial work
• A pass or fail outcome
• The date of the next recommended inspection

If your property passes with no C1 or C2 defects, you’ll receive a satisfactory report valid for up to five years (or as specified in the report).

If remedial work is required, we’ll provide clear guidance on what needs to be done and the urgency. Common remedial works include:

• Consumer unit upgrades
• Installing additional RCD protection
• Improving earthing and bonding
• Replacing damaged sockets or switches
• Upgrading circuits to meet current standards

At TJC Fire & Electrical, we can carry out any necessary remedial works and issue an updated certificate once the work is complete. We prioritise electrical safety and compliance across all our domestic electrical and commercial electrical projects.

How to Prepare for an EICR

To ensure your EICR appointment runs smoothly, we recommend:

1. Ensure access: Clear access to your consumer unit, ideally removing any stored items nearby
2. Provide access to all areas: We’ll need access to all rooms, plus loft spaces and cupboards where wiring may run
3. Be available: It’s helpful if someone is present to answer questions and provide access
4. Note any concerns: Inform us of any electrical issues you’ve experienced
5. Plan for power interruptions: Save computer work and consider timing if you work from home
6. Inform vulnerable occupants: Let elderly or vulnerable individuals know there may be temporary power loss

Book Your EICR with TJC Fire & Electrical

Understanding what an EICR test involves helps you appreciate its importance in maintaining electrical safety at your property. Whether you’re a landlord meeting legal obligations, a homeowner ensuring your family’s safety, or a facilities manager maintaining compliance, regular EICR inspections are essential.

We serve properties across Southern England, including Poole, Bournemouth, Southampton, Portsmouth, Ferndown, Christchurch, Ringwood, Wimborne, Verwood, Dorchester, Southsea, and throughout Dorset and Hampshire.

With our years of industry experience, we provide comprehensive EICR services that give you complete peace of mind about your electrical safety. We offer free quotations and keep you informed at every stage of the process.

Ready to book your EICR or have questions about your property’s electrical safety? Contact us today to arrange your inspection or learn more about our electrical services.