It is recommended that every household should have an EICR at least every ten years, five years if owned by a landlord. If an electrical fault does occur in your property, and you need to make an insurance claim, then you may find yourself in difficulty, as many insurance companies won’t accept your claim without these electrical checks having been carried out.
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is a certificate that details the safety of all electrical installations and fittings within your home, as checked by an electrician.
The EICR explained
The EICR comprises of a full check of all fixed wiring and tells the electrician if the electrics are safe, and if they comply with current regulations. What it will do is flag up any potential risks and hazards that could potentially damage your home or you. The checks will include the fuse board, wiring, earth boarding and electrical switches.
What the electrician will do
On arrival, the electrician will complete a visual check and assessment. A series of checks will then be conducted. If a problem is found that poses an immediate danger, then they can carry out a repair, on the spot, to ensure that the home is safe. If it can’t be done on the day, then the issue will be made safe as an intermediate repair, until it can be repaired fully.
If you need a new fuse board
The electrician will carry out an extensive check of your fuse board. It should have RCD protection (Residual Current Device) and the necessary circuit breakers. If the EICR discovers issues with your fuse board, then it may need to be upgraded. It may be old, or may not meet current regulations. If the fuse board needs to be replaced, then this is not a huge cause for concern. The EICR will have confirmed any issues and the electrician can then go ahead and upgrade the new fuse board, which usually only takes a day to install. A safely installed fuse board will also give your home RCD protection on all electrical circuits.
Having an EICR gives you great peace of mind, in knowing that your home’s electrics are safe. When looking for an electrician in Wellington, Taunton or Somerset who can carry out this type of electrical safety check, then please contact us here at Grants Electrical Services. We are a team of experienced and professional electricians who are more than happy to help.