Electrical installations naturally deteriorate over time. Wear and tear, environmental conditions, and changes in usage can all affect the safety of an electrical system. An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is a detailed inspection and testing process designed to assess the safety and condition of an electrical installation and ensure it meets current regulations.
At Artisan Electrical & Security LTD, we carry out EICRs for homeowners, landlords, businesses, and property managers to help ensure electrical systems remain safe, compliant, and fit for continued use.
What Is an EICR?
An EICR is a formal inspection of a property’s electrical installation. The purpose is to identify any damage, deterioration, defects, or non-compliance with the current edition of the Wiring Regulations (BS 7671).
EICRs are commonly required for:
Landlords to comply with electrical safety regulations in rented properties
Homebuyers who want reassurance about the electrical condition of a property
Businesses to maintain workplace safety
Homeowners as part of routine electrical safety maintenance
Visual Inspection
The first stage of an EICR is a thorough visual inspection. This allows us to identify obvious issues before any testing begins.
We check:
The consumer unit (fuse board) and protective devices
Signs of overheating, damage, or wear
Correct earthing and bonding to gas and water services
The condition of cables and wiring where accessible
Sockets, switches, and light fittings
Signs of DIY alterations or unsafe modifications
Whether appropriate RCD protection is installed
Electrical Testing
After the visual inspection, a series of electrical tests are carried out using calibrated test equipment. These tests confirm the safety and performance of the installation.
Some of the key tests include:
Continuity Testing
This confirms that protective conductors (earth wiring) are correctly connected and continuous throughout the circuit.
Insulation Resistance
This test checks the insulation of cables to ensure there are no faults that could cause electric shock or fire.
Polarity Testing
Polarity checks confirm that live and neutral conductors are correctly connected at outlets and switches.
Earth Fault Loop Impedance (Zs)
This test verifies that fault currents will flow quickly enough to operate protective devices such as MCBs or RCBOs in the event of a fault.
RCD Testing
Where Residual Current Devices are installed, we test their trip times and operating currents to ensure they provide adequate protection against electric shock.
Functional Testing
We also carry out functional checks on switches, isolators, and protective devices to ensure they operate correctly.
Identifying Defects
If any issues are found, they are classified using standard observation codes:
C1 – Danger Present (Immediate action required)
C2 – Potentially Dangerous (Urgent remedial work needed)
C3 – Improvement Recommended (Not unsafe but could be improved)
FI – Further Investigation Required
These classifications help clearly communicate the level of risk associated with each observation.
Your EICR Report
Once the inspection and testing are complete, we provide a comprehensive Electrical Installation Condition Report detailing the condition of the installation and any observations identified during the process.
If any issues are found, we will also provide a clear and detailed quotation for any remedial works required, allowing you to understand exactly what is needed to bring the installation up to a safe standard.