The EICR inspection is a check of the electrical system in your building. It makes sure everything is safe and working fine. Let’s look at what happens during this important check.
The Visual Check
First, the electrician looks at everything they can see, known as a visual check. They check for any visible signs of burning or damage on wires and accessories. They look at every socket, light switch, and electrical box in the building. If something looks burnt or broken, they note it down on their paperwork. They also remove the cover of the fuse box and look inside the main consumer unit to check if any wires show signs of overheating.
The Dead Test
The electrician then does two kinds of tests on the fuse box. The first kind is called “dead testing” because they turn off all the power to carry out these tests. The second is called “live testing” because they do functional tests with the power on. These tests make sure everything is working correctly and the safety devices switch themselves off in the event of a shock or overcurrent. Before starting the dead tests, the electrician makes sure everyone in the building knows the power will be off for a while.
Testing Continuity
During dead testing, the electrician first checks something called continuity. This means they test if the cables have integrity, are the earth cables continuous, are the ring circuits continuous or are they broken? They use a special tool called a multifunction tester that measures if the path for electricity is good or bad. If the tester shows a poor reading, it means there might be a broken wire somewhere. They test every circuit in the building this way to make sure there are no hidden problems.
Insulation Resistance Testing
They also test something called insulation resistance testing. Every wire in your home has a plastic coating around it. This coating stops electricity from leaking to other cables or metallic infrastructure. The electrician uses a tool to check if the cables insulation has not deteriorated. The insulation resistance reading should show a very high number. If the number is low, it means the insulation might be damaged and that section of cable needs to be replaced. They do this test on all the wires in your walls and ceilings.
Live Testing
Next comes live testing. The electrician turns the power back on. Then he or she tests the earthing system from the supplier and the earthing supply in the property itself. They will also test the functionality of the MCBs, RCDs and RCBOs units. An RCD is a safety switch that cuts the power if something unsafe happens. The electrician pushes a button on each RCD and tests the RCD at some points in the property itself. That makes sure it turns off quickly enough. If it’s too slow or doesn’t work, then it has to be replaced. This test is vital because your home’s RCD units protect you from deadly electric shocks.
Ze and Zs Testing
The electrician also does something called ZE/ZS testing. They use a special meter called a multifunction tester (MFT) for this. This test checks how well your electrical system is earthed. Earthing is very important – it helps protect people from electric shocks. The electrician puts the meter on different parts of your electrical system and checks the numbers. If the numbers are too high, something needs fixing. They test both at the main electrical box and at the furthest socket in each circuit.
Cable Sizing
Another important check is making sure each wire matches its circuit breaker. Circuit breakers are the switches in your electrical box and each has a limit on the about of power that can flow through it. They turn off if too much power flows through them. Each breaker is made for a certain size of wire. If the wire is too small for its breaker, it could get too hot. That can cause a fire risk. The electrician checks every breaker and makes sure it matches the cable size. This includes checking both the main supply breakers and the smaller ones in the fuse box.
Visual check of Accessories
The electrician also looks carefully at all your sockets and light switches. Over time, these can get worn out or damaged. They check if any socket feels loose or looks burnt. They also check if any light switch feels wobbly or makes a crackling sound. Old or worn parts can be dangerous and need replacing. Even small problems with sockets or switches can cause fires if they’re not fixed.
When checking sockets, they look for any brown marks. Brown marks often mean the socket has been getting too hot. They also wiggle each socket gently to check if it’s firmly fixed to the wall. Loose sockets can be dangerous and need fixing right away. The electrician pays special attention to sockets that get heavy use, like those which supply kitchen appliances.
Checking Switches
For light switches, they check if they work smoothly. A switch that feels sticky or makes noise might be worn out inside. They also look for any cracks in the plastic covers. Cracked covers can let fingers get in, which isn’t safe. The electrician checks switches extra carefully in bathrooms and other damp areas.
Categorisation of Defects
Throughout all these checks, the electrician writes down everything they find. They make notes about anything that isn’t working properly, looks worn out or damaged, might become dangerous soon, or doesn’t meet safety rules. They take special care to write down anything that needs urgent attention. The defects are categorised in the following way:
Code 1 (C1) – Danger Present: Immediate remedial action required.
Code 2 (C2) – Potentially Dangerous: Urgent remedial action needed.
Code 3 (C3) – Improvement Recommended: Further improvement is advisable but not immediately dangerous.
FI (Further Investigation) – Unclear at the time of inspection: Further investigation is required without delay.
Finishing Up
At the end, they put all this information into a report. The report tells you what they have tested. It lets you know what they found and what needs to be fixed. It even shows which things must be done immediately. And which things can wait a bit. The report uses easy to understand language so an average person can know what their home needs.
If they find anything dangerous, they will mark it as needing urgent fixing. Some things might not be dangerous but should be improved when possible. The report will explain this clearly and give you a timeframe for when repairs should be done.
The electrician might also put stickers on your electrical box. Stickers show when the test was carried out. They also tell what should happen next. Most buildings need a new EICR every five years. However depending on certain risks can be 2 or 3 years. Rental properties or businesses may need them more often. Getting an EICR is very important. It helps find electrical problems before they become dangerous. It also helps protect your building from electrical fires. By law, rental buildings must have regular EICRs. This keeps your tenants safe. It also protects the property.
Safety First
Remember, electricity can be very dangerous. Never try to do these tests yourself. Always use a qualified electrician. He or she will know how to do the tests safely and properly. A good EICR gives you peace of mind. You will sleep better knowing your electrical system is safe and working as it should.