What an EICR actually involves, what the C1, C2 and C3 codes mean, and how often your property should be inspected.
Most people think about their electrics only when something goes wrong. But just like a car needs an MOT, your electrical installation needs to be inspected and tested regularly to make sure it's still safe. This is what Part 6 of BS 7671 is all about.
EICR stands for Electrical Installation Condition Report. It's a formal inspection and test of the electrical installation in a property — everything from the consumer unit and wiring to the sockets, switches, and earthing arrangements. The result is a report that grades the installation as either Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory, and lists any issues found.
When an electrician carries out an EICR, any issues found are classified using a coding system. C1 means danger present with risk of injury and immediate action required. C2 means potentially dangerous with urgent remedial action required. C3 means improvement recommended but not immediately dangerous. FI means further investigation is required.
An installation with a C1 or C2 will receive an Unsatisfactory report. A C3 alone results in a Satisfactory report, but the issues should still be addressed when possible.
Rental properties require an EICR every 5 years — now a legal requirement for landlords in England. Owner-occupied homes should have one every 10 years, or when buying a property. Commercial premises every 5 years, and swimming pools every year.
A qualified electrician will carry out a series of visual checks and electrical tests. This includes checking the consumer unit, testing the earth continuity of circuits, checking insulation resistance, and verifying that protective devices like RCDs operate correctly. For an average house, expect it to take 3–4 hours.
At Zeno Electrics, we carry out EICRs for landlords, homeowners, and businesses across Hertfordshire and the surrounding area. Contact us for a free quote.