An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is a periodic inspection report on the security of a property for its fixed wiring. This report has also been referred to as “homeowners’ safety test” or “homebuyer test”. The tests are performed by qualified electricians. It is strongly recommended to carry out an EICR inspection every 10 years for your home. For rental buildings, one must be made every 5 years or in case of a change of rental. The main purpose of an EICR is to ensure the safety of residents and to ensure that they are not sensitive to electric shock and/or fire.

Why do I need an EICR?

You cannot see the electricity and in many cases, you cannot see the ducts or cables that use electricity. Cables are often hidden inside walls and consumer units are located in closets, where they are not immediately visible. It is not surprising that we often forget to check the condition of our electrical installations for any damage or signs of wear. Defective and old wiring is one of the leading causes of electrical fires in the home. You can reduce the risk of fire by regularly checking your cables, switches, and plugs to make sure they are in good condition.

Do I need an EICR? How old is my electrical installation condition report?

As stated above, it is recommended to have an EICR every ten years for your home. You must first look for clear signs that electrical appliances in your home are obsolete before deciding if you need an EICR. There are obvious signs that will tell you if you have old equipment that needs to be replaced. You must search:

All of these characteristics indicate that the electrical devices in question were created before or during the 1960s. This means that you seriously need an EICR. Whatever the age of your electrical installation, it may be damaged or worn. This means that you should ask an electrician to check his condition at least every 10 years or if you are moving into a new property.

What is the purpose of a report on the state of the electrical installation condition report?

The five main objectives of an EICR are:

  1. Record the results of the inspection to ensure the safety of your electrical installation condition report until the next inspection.
  2. To detect any damage and wear that could affect safety, and report it.
  3. To find all components of the electrical installation condition report that do not meet the IET wiring regulations.
  4. To help identify any device or object that can cause electric shocks and high temperatures.
  5. Keep an important record of the condition of the installation at the time of the inspection. This can be used in any future inspection.

The different types of condition report: can I do it myself?

In general, there are two types of national EICRs:

  1. A “visual condition report” – this does not include testing and is only suitable if your facility has been recently tested. Electrical Safety First (ESF) has developed a brilliant visual safety test that can be lifebuoy. These include basic tips such as making sure you do not overload any outlets and that you have RCD protection for your devices.
  2. A “periodic inspection report” (EICR) – this is probably a better and safer option. As previously stated, many underlying electrical faults can be very difficult to detect. The Electrical Installation Condition Report is more comprehensive than a visual state report. It will test all your installations, including circuits hidden behind the walls, which will make it more likely to find hidden dangers

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