What does an EICR test?

Glossary · Testing, inspection and certificates

How an EICR works

An Electrical Installation Condition Report is a health check on the fixed electrics in a property. NICEIC describes the installation as the system of wires, switches, socket outlets and lighting that brings electricity from the main supply into the house, including cables in the walls, floors and ceilings, consumer units, fixed equipment such as showers, and protective devices such as circuit breakers and RCDs.^{[2]NICEIC, Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs)} The government landlord guidance includes permanently connected equipment such as extractors in the same list.^{[3]Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Electrical safety standards in the private and social rented sectors: guidance}

The aim is to find out whether the installation is in a satisfactory condition for continued use. Electrical Safety First says the checks reveal overloaded circuits, electric shock risks and fire hazards, defective electrical work, and any lack of earthing or bonding.^{[1]Electrical Safety First, Periodic Inspection and Testing}

What the electrician checks

NICEIC sets the process out in four steps: a visual inspection, testing of circuits, recording the results, and issuing the report.^{[2]NICEIC, Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs)}

Those stages are taken from NICEIC’s guide.^{[2]NICEIC, Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs)} Electrical Safety First adds that the electrician checks earthing and bonding, the suitability of the switchgear, the condition of switches, sockets and light fittings, the type and condition of the wiring, RCD protection for outdoor sockets, and whether notices and labels are adequate.^{[1]Electrical Safety First, Periodic Inspection and Testing} Each fault found is given a code, which our page on EICR observation codes explains.

What is not covered

Portable items such as hairdryers, fridges and TVs are appliances and are generally not part of the installation.^{[2]NICEIC, Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs)} The IET says inspection of fire alarm and emergency lighting systems does not generally form part of an EICR, although their power supplies and wiring are part of the fixed installation.^{[4]Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), EICR Myths (Wiring Matters, May 2021)}

The IET also says the extent and limitations of the inspection are among the most important parts of the report. They should be discussed with the person ordering it and agreed in writing before the work begins, so it is clear what has and has not been tested.^{[4]Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), EICR Myths (Wiring Matters, May 2021)}

Example

Tom owns a semi-detached house in Roundhay and books an EICR before a loft conversion. The electrician agrees the extent with him first, including that the garden shed supply is included. The visual inspection finds a cracked socket faceplate. Then the circuits are isolated for continuity and insulation tests, and the RCD is tested. Tom gets a report that lists any observations with codes. A small home usually takes a few hours, though the time depends on the size of the property and its systems.^{[2]NICEIC, Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs)}

What people get wrong

Many people expect an EICR to bring the whole house up to the latest edition of the wiring regulations, or to test their appliances. It does neither. It reports the condition of the existing fixed installation against whether it is safe for continued use.

The IET is clear that an installation that does not meet the latest edition is not automatically unsafe, and that the inspector must apply engineering judgment.^{[4]Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), EICR Myths (Wiring Matters, May 2021)}

The bottom line

An EICR is an inspection plus a set of tests on the fixed wiring and protective devices, written up as a report with coded observations. It does not cover appliances. Agree the extent first, and keep the report. Our EICR testing page explains how we carry it out, and how long an EICR is valid says when to book the next one.