Electrical Inspection And Testing

With age, electrical installations are subject to deterioration and general wear and tear. Our electricians carry out electrical inspection and testing to verify if an electrical installation is safe for continued operation. This is called an electrical installation condition report (EICR) previously known as a periodic inspection report (PIR). From our offices in Lymington, our NICEIC approved electricians undertake all electrical inspection and testing along with any remedial repair work around Hampshire and Dorset.

Much like a MOT for cars it is important that you ensure you carry out inspections on the condition of the electrical installation in your property at regular intervals. This will help identify any faults or defects which could require improvement and will ensure the continued operation of the installation in a safe and effective manner.

Types Of Electrical Inspection

There are two kinds of electrical checks that can be carried out, a visual inspection or an electrical installation condition report (EICR).

Visual Inspection Report (VIR)

A visual inspection electrical report is generated after a basic check to identify any visible signs of defects, damage or deterioration. No circuit testing will be undertaken, so your electricity will likely remain on during the inspection. Our electrician will need to be given access to all the rooms in your home.

The visual inspection electrical report will typically take around 2 hours to complete depending on the size of the property. Notes will be taken by the electrician as part of the visual inspection and a visual inspection report (VIR) will be issued to the homeowner at the end. The visual inspection report will record a few observations and recommendations and provide an overall summary of the condition of the installation.

Typically, you can expect the following things to be looked at during a visual inspection. The consumer unit, a sample of sockets, switches & light fittings; Exposed cabling, earthing and bonding, signs of wear and tear, signs of burning or scorching and provisions for RCD protection.

Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)

An Electrical Installation Condition Report (formerly known as a periodic inspection report or PIR) consists of a visual inspection and electrical test to identify any dangers or non-compliance within the fixed electrical wiring of a property. It is a more detailed report than a VIR and will involve the testing of various circuits which will require the turning off of the electrics at the main supply. Faulty and old wiring is one of the main causes of fires in the home. You can reduce the risk of a fire by checking the condition of your cables, switches, sockets and other accessories regularly.

The five main aims of an EICR are:

1. Record the results of the visual inspection and electrical testing to make sure the electrical installation is safe for continued use until the next inspection (following any remedial work needed to make it safe)
2. Find any damage and/or wear and tear that might adversely affect the safety of the electrical installation, and report it
3. Highlight any parts of the electrical installation that do not meet the current requirements of BS7671 IET Wiring Regulations
4. Identify anything that may potentially cause an electric shock or produce a high temperature
5. Provide an important record of the installation condition at the time of the inspection, and for the future testing and inspecting

An EICR should be undertaken at least every 5 years, but depending on the type of installation, it might be required more often. Typically, an EICR will take around 4-6 hours to complete, depending on the size of a property and the number of circuits requiring testing. Only approved electricians should carry out an EICR.

Landlord Electrical Safety Certificate

In the coming weeks it looks likely that The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 will pass though the Commons and Lords and be set to become law by the summer.

Landlords and letting agents will have to carry out five-year electrical safety checks in privately rented homes in England from July 1 2020, as plans for tougher safety standards are put together. The new regulations will mean all fixed electrical wiring installations need mandatory electrical inspecting and testing at least every five years by a suitably approved electrician. Landlords and letting agents will be required to give a copy of the Electrical Installation Condition Report to each tenant within 28 days of a request from them. They will also be obliged to retain a copy until the next inspection is due.

The rules will apply to all new tenancies in England from July 1st 2020 and will be rolled out to include existing tenancies by April 1st 2021. Landlords could face fines of up to £30,000 for breaching any of the requirements