What is an EICR Test?

EICR stands for Electrical Installation Condition Report. Its primary purpose is to assess the safety and condition of a property's fixed wiring at regular intervals. This inspection ensures that electrical installations comply with safety standards, reducing the risk of hazards such as electrical fires or shocks. An EICR is particularly important for homeowners, landlords, and businesses, as it helps to identify potential faults before they become dangerous. For rental properties, it is a legal requirement to safeguard tenants. Regular EICR testing provides peace of mind, ensuring a safe and compliant electrical system.

Purpose of an EICR Test

The first aim of a electrical installation conditioning report is to keep the record of the inspection. This is in place to make sure that your electrical installations are safe.

Secondly, an EICR is in place so you can locate any unsafe damage, wear and tear to your electrical installation. This helps electricians identify, resolve, and repair any issues.

Thirdly, the report will help to identify any components of the electrical installation that don’t meet wiring regulations. Furthermore, this is critical if you own an old property. An electrician will be able to use the report to repair your property, so it meets requirements.

Lastly, the fourth aim is to help an electrician identify appliances or electrical components that could leas to an electric shock.

Once the electrical installation conditioning report has been completed, the electrician will complete a report highlighting the condition of the electrical installation at the time of the EICR. Furthermore, this record will be used in future inspections.

Types of Electrical Installation Condition Reports

• Visual condition report
  Visual condition reports are usually done for recent electrical installations. Generally, the report will not include any testing of your systems various electrical components.
• Periodic inspection report
  This is the full EICR. It is a comprehensive report that tests all the components of your electrical installation. As previously advised, this will help you locate any potential hazards within your building.

What would fail an EICR?

n EICR may fail if the electrical installation has serious safety issues, such as outdated or damaged wiring, overloaded circuits, faulty connections, lack of earthing, or defective consumer units. It will also highlight issues if core safety switches are malfunctioning—learn more about what an RCD is and how it functions to prevent these dangerous conditions.... Other common reasons include the presence of defective consumer units, incorrect fuse ratings, or signs of overheating. Any issue classified as a C1 (danger present) or C2 (potentially dangerous) will result in a failed EICR, requiring urgent remedial action. A FI (further investigation required) code may also lead to failure if safety concerns cannot be fully assessed during the inspection.

Can I conduct an EICR by myself?

No, an EICR must be completed by a qualified and competent electrician with the appropriate training and certification. A full Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) cannot be carried out legally or safely by an unqualified individual.

How often do I need a EICR?

The answer to this depends on the type of property. For instance, if its your private home, the test should be conducted every 10 years. For a rental property, the landlord should have this completed every 5 years. In addition, its recommended to complete this test every time you have a change of tenants.

How much does an EICR cost?

The cost of an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) in the UK varies depending on factors such as the size of the property, the number of circuits, and the location. For a small flat, prices typically start at around £100 to £150, while for a larger house with more circuits, costs can range from £200 to £350 or more. Commercial properties generally have higher prices due to their complexity, with costs starting from £250 and potentially exceeding £500 for larger premises. Additional charges may apply if remedial work is needed to bring the installation up to standard. We will be happy to offer a no-obligation quote to ensure you receive a fair and accurate price for your EICR.

Do I need an EICR?

Homeowners are advised to have an EICR every 10 years (or when buying/selling a property), while landlords must obtain one every 5 years or at the start of a new tenancy to comply with legal requirements. Businesses and commercial properties also require periodic EICRs, typically every 5 years, to ensure workplace safety. If your property has outdated wiring, frequent electrical issues, or hasn’t been inspected in a long time, an EICR is highly recommended to prevent potential hazards like electrical fires or shocks.

An Electrical Installation Conditioning Report identifies arears that need repair. A qualified electrician can use this to prevent electrical fires. Electrical fires can be extremely dangerous, Old, damaged, or faulty electrical installations and wiring are often the main cause of these fires.

Signs that you need an EICR?

As previously advised, we recommend EICR tests to be conducted every 10 years for your private home, every 5 years for your rental property, or every time a new tenant moves into a rental property. Below is a list of some additional signs that indicate a EICR test is required.

• Traditional round pin sockets and light switches
• Brown or black switches
• Braided flex hanging from ceiling fixtures
• Fixed cables coated in black rubber
• Fixed cables coated in lead or fabric

All these listed signs come from older/outdated electrical installation, usually installed around 1960.

What should I do if I think I need an EICR test?

If you’re not a qualified electrician, you should not conduct an EICR test. If you believe you property requires an Electrical Installation Conditioning Report, you should contact a professional, qualified electrician. Here at NM Cabling, all our electricians are fully qualified and trained to conduct a thorough EICR test for your property.