What is an EICR?
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is a report that states the conditions of an electrical installation in detail. It is a formal document that is produced after an assessment of the electrical installations within a property is carried out by an experienced, qualified electrician or approved contractor.
How often is an EICR required?
There can be various reasons for obtaining an EICR. An EICR is a very standard and commonly sought method of proving that an entire electrical installation is safe and sound. Such proof is necessary when one acquires a rented accommodation or the ownership of a property is changed.
An EICR is also recommended in all types of properties at least every 10 years to check the condition of the electrical installation and ensure there is no deterioration.
Other factors that may influence the requirement of an EICR include:
- Age of the installation: The older the installation the more often an EICR should be carried out.
- Type of property: Industrial properties need to be tested more often. If the property has a swimming pool, it should be tested every year, however only the parts of the installation relating to the pool would need to be assessed.
- Environmental Conditions
- Misuse of the installation or vandalism
- Any concerns that may arise about the condition of the electrical installation.
What makes EICRs important?
Electricity can’t be seen and the cables are usually hidden inside walls. Thus, we often forget to check the condition of our electrical installations for damage or wear and tear.
An EICR provides peace of mind that a home is electrically safe and they are not expensive to carry out. The yearly cost of an EICR is extremely low when compared to the cost of an annual car service or annual boiler service but yet could save a sizeable sum of money as an EICR would pick up on a potential problem before it became a serious, costly issue.
Faulty and old wiring is one of the main causes of electrical fires. You can reduce the risk of a fire by checking the condition of your cables, switches, sockets and other accessories in regular intervals.
How can I get an EICR?
In order to be certified for producing an EICR, one has to take a course covering periodic inspection and testing as well as having a good working knowledge and experience of electrical installations.
Here at Pure Power Electrical, we have qualified and experienced technicians to provide you quick and efficient services that include producing EICRs.
