Electrical Testing in Cardiff – EICR Inspections & Certificates
– Thorough EICR report ready for your landlord, tenant, lender or solicitor.
– Talk with the electrician that carried out the inspection
– Qualified staff with up-to-date certifications
– All remedial work completed quickly
What Is Electrical Testing and Do You Need It?
Are you a Cardiff homebuyer who’s been asked to get an Electrical Installation Condition Report by your lender or solicitor but aren’t sure what it is? Don’t worry, you’re not alone!
EICR Inspections & certificates are a bit like an MOT for your home’s electrics. It’s a comprehensive report prepared by a registered electrician that checks the safety and compliance of your wiring, fuse box, and accessories.
It can be in paper or PDF format and may include photos. If you want to ensure your electrical installation is safe for continued use and meets the latest electrical safety standards, then you need an EICR
The reason your lender has just asked for a periodic inspection (that’s another name frequently used for an EICR!) is so they can gauge the costs for any remedial work needed.
What Does an Electrical Test Check?
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) involves both inspection and testing. The older the electrical system, the more extensive the inspection is likely to be. This is because an older property is more likely to have been modified and be susceptible to general wear and tear.
Removing some accessories such as a light switch, ceiling light, and socket outlet allows us to inspect the visible wiring and connections – both the estimated age and condition.
Wiring from the fuse board to these points is typically concealed within walls and underneath floors and cannot be examined directly. While an inspection does not involve lifting floorboards, we can often check wiring in the loft for lights, smoke detectors, and the shower unit, along with the visual inspection of the wiring inside accessories.
The idea is to get an indication of the overall condition of the wiring, the connections, and accessories. Once the inspector confirms the absence of urgent electrical issues, they’ll document the circuit details on their report, update the labelling on the consumer unit if necessary, and proceed with testing in accordance with BS 7671 – the British Standard that wiring and accessories are tested to.
Most faults on an EICR will be picked up as a result of a visual inspection.
Testing should reveal if the wiring is serviceable and if it would operate the circuit protection in the necessary timeframe. Circuit breakers are designed to protect wiring from becoming overloaded and becoming a fire risk. An RCD test will check the trip time to ensure power will be removed in the event of an earth fault (current leaking somewhere it shouldn’t) that could increase the risk of electrocution and fire.
In a nutshell, an EICR inspection is designed to check the installation is safe for continued use and compare it with current standards.
Some recent EICR discoveries…
Here’s what some of our Cardiff electricians have found during recent inspections.
Pro Tip: If you’re buying a house, ask the seller whether any major electrical work has been carried out — such as a full rewire — and whether they have the certification to prove it. A recent professional rewire, backed by paperwork, may mean your lender doesn’t require an EICR at all. If the seller does have documentation, it’s worth asking how much the eicr cost, as the scope of what’s inspected and tested can vary considerably.
Why does my property need an EICR?
Can I be completely honest with you? Many homes in Cardiff have old and potentially unsafe wiring, as well as DIY fixes that aren’t up to standard. Even if things appear to be working, they might not be safe. That’s why an electrical installation condition report is a must-have before making an offer and moving into a property.
A house that has had an EICR every now and then is a sign of a careful owner. The truth is, whilst everything is working as one would expect, there won’t be an electrical engineer in sight – never mind every five years in 99% of places.
An EICR is usually triggered by someone (not always you!) or something. Not many people wake up and say, “Let’s get the electrics checked”! Here are some things I can think of:
It’s a good idea to get the consumer unit, wiring, and accessories checked if it’s due (or if you have no idea of the history). Most people don’t see the need as long as everything is working. The truth is, things can deteriorate over time, and DIYers will add things without checking the fundamentals (like whether earthing, bonding, and RCD protection are in place – and that they test OK).
An EICR is designed to identify issues before they pose a risk to people and buildings.
What are the tests?
How long should an EICR take?
The time an EICR will take depends on several factors. Some I can think of right now are:
Gabe Electrical is here to help you understand everything you need to know about EICR. Contact us with any questions about your next electrical inspection, and you can expect a prompt response.