What is an EICR?
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EICR stands for Electrical Installation Condition Report. It is a formal report on the safety of the fixed electrical installation in a building, produced by a qualified electrician after inspecting and testing it. People often call it an electrical safety certificate.
What does an EICR cover?
An EICR covers the fixed electrical installation, meaning anything wired in rather than plugged in. That includes the consumer unit, circuit breakers and RCDs, wiring, sockets, switches, light fittings, earthing and bonding, plus outbuildings, outdoor equipment and EV chargers supplied from the property.
The report covers the fixed parts of the electrical installation, meaning anything wired in rather than plugged in. That includes:
- The consumer unit (fuse board) and the protective devices inside it, such as circuit breakers and RCDs.
- Wiring to sockets, lights, cookers, showers and other fixed equipment.
- Sockets, switches and light fittings.
- Main earthing and protective bonding to gas and water pipes.
- Fixed outdoor equipment, outbuildings and EV chargers supplied from the property.
Portable appliances such as kettles, lamps and televisions are not part of an EICR. Checking those is a separate PAT test.
How is an EICR carried out?
The electrician first makes a visual inspection for damage, wear and overheating, then tests each circuit or a representative sample with specialist equipment. Tests include continuity, insulation resistance, polarity, earth fault loop impedance and RCD operation. A typical home takes 2 to 4 hours.
The electrician starts with a visual inspection, looking for damage, wear, overheating, missing covers and work that does not meet current standards. They then carry out tests on each circuit, or a representative sample, using specialist equipment. Tests typically include continuity of protective conductors, insulation resistance, polarity, earth fault loop impedance and the operation of RCDs.
Because circuits need to be switched off for testing, the power will be off for parts of the visit. A typical home takes between 2 and 4 hours.
What does an EICR report contain?
The report records what was inspected, any limitations, test results for each circuit and a list of coded observations. It ends with an overall result of satisfactory or unsatisfactory, and states when the next inspection is recommended. Any C1, C2 or FI makes it unsatisfactory.
The finished report records the extent of the inspection, any limitations (for example rooms that could not be accessed), the test results for each circuit and a list of observations. Each observation is given a code: C1 for danger present, C2 for potentially dangerous, C3 for improvement recommended and FI for further investigation required.
The report ends with an overall assessment. If there are any C1, C2 or FI observations, the result is unsatisfactory. If there are only C3s, or no observations at all, it is satisfactory. The report also states when the next inspection is recommended.
Who needs an EICR?
Private landlords in England legally need one at least every 5 years, and HMO licences require a valid report. Homeowners are advised to test about every 10 years but are not legally required to. Businesses often need one for insurance or health and safety reasons.
Private landlords in England are legally required to have one at least every 5 years and to give copies to their tenants. HMO licences also require a valid report. Homeowners are not legally required to have one but are advised to test roughly every 10 years. Businesses often need one for insurance or health and safety purposes.
Who can carry out an EICR?
An EICR must be carried out by a qualified and competent electrician. Members of competent person schemes such as NICEIC are assessed regularly. CircuitCertify arranges the booking, and every inspection is carried out by an independent NICEIC registered electrician, not by CircuitCertify itself.
An EICR must be carried out by a qualified and competent electrician. Members of competent person schemes such as NICEIC are assessed regularly on their work. CircuitCertify arranges bookings, and every inspection is carried out by an independent NICEIC registered electrician.
Is an EICR the same as an EIC?
No. An Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) is issued for new electrical work, such as a rewire or a new circuit. An EICR reports on the condition of an existing installation. For a new or fully rewired property, the EIC can stand in for an EICR for 5 years.
No. An Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) is issued when new electrical work is installed, such as a rewire or new circuit. An EICR assesses the condition of an existing installation. For a newly built or fully rewired property, the EIC can stand in for an EICR for the first 5 years.