An EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) is a formal report created by a certified electrician after the installation and assessment of electrical installation within a property. The electricians or conductors who carry out the report are recognized by a scheme provider and will have taken an inspection course. Basically, it is needed to show that the installation is safe.
Why is EICR needed?
An ECIR is required in homes after every 10 years (5 years for rented property) to ensure the proper working of electrical installation. However, for different reasons, the assessment may be carried out more often. These reasons may be:
– How old the installation is
– How the electrical installation has been treated
– When a property is being bought or sold
Is EICR really necessary?
Even though this report is not a legal requirement, it provides peace of mind to the tenants or property owners that their electric supply is working correctly and is not posing any harm. Similar to an annual car service, and ECIR will look for any potential dangers (electrocution or fire) before they become serious issues.
An EICR assessment takes about 4 hours to complete; half an hour per circuit in the fuse box for an average of eight circuits in domestic homes. Every single cable of the circuits, sockets and light ports must be tested. However, it might take longer for commercial properties. In the case that electrical installations have been said to be safe in the past, 20% of the EICR would be conducted annually over 5 years. Different types of tests are conducted, for example:
– Earth measurement test: Checking how well the pipelines are bonded and the reading of Earth
– Continuity of CPC: Making sure the Earth is running to all the lights, switches etc.
– Continuity of Ring: Checking the damages within the ring circuits.
– Insulation Resistance: Ensuring proper insulation on cables around the property.
– Polarity Test: Checking that the Live is going to the right terminal to its sockets and switches.
– Earth Fault Loop Impedance: This test tells us whether the fuse will blow in time in the occurrence of a fault.
– RCD Test: Checking whether and when the RCD will trip under various conditions.
How does an EICR work?
During the tests, all circuits need to be switched off and observations are made from an electrician’s point of view which determines the safety of the sockets, switches, cables etc.
To make sure you are provided with an in-depth assessment of the electrical installation of your property, look for London Property Inspection. London Property Inspection may also provide you with remedial solutions to any electrical hazards depending on the observations. The cost for an EICR is determined by the number of circuits tested.
