ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION CONDITION REPORTS (EICR)

What is an EICR?
An EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) is, as the name implies, a report into the condition of the electrical installation which highlights any safety shortcomings, defects or deviations from the current revision of the latest electrical regulations BS7671.

It might seem like bureaucracy – but in fact it could save a life or protect your building from going up in flames.

From a liability and safety perspective, having an EICR is advisable. Electrical installations degrade over time and to prevent any danger, your system should be well maintained – whether it’s domestic, industrial or commercial.

Who should perform an EICR?

An electrical installation condition report should be performed by a competent electrician with the necessary experience, knowledge and qualifications for the type of installation that they are testing.

What are the processes of an EICR?

Visual inspection:
The electrician will survey the electrical installation before they commence with the electrical testing. The visual inspection will highlight broken or cracked devices, where devices may have been installed in the wrong location, or if there have been overloading or overheating problems.

Electrical testing with the use of electrical test meters, includes;

Dead testing

  • Continuity testing: a test to check if there are any badly connected conductors (wires).
  • Insulation resistance testing: this test is to make sure that the electrical insulation material surrounding the conductors is intact.
  • Polarity: this test is to check that the connections are connected in the right sequence.
  • Earthing arrangement testing: this check is to make sure that the earthing arrangement complies with regulations and that all connections are sound.

Live testing

  • Earth fault loop impedance testing: this test is to check that if a fault did occur, that the system meets requirements to cause a disconnection of the supply within the time limit specified.

RCD testing:
On modern electrical systems RCDs and RCBOs are regularly fitted. These devices react to electricity missing from the circuit or installation such as when a person is receiving an electric shock as the electricity passes through his body to the ground (earth).