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What are common faults found in an EICR?

Worried about what faults found in an EICR to look out for? As a homeowner or landlord in the UK, it’s important to make sure your electrical installations are safe and compliant. One of the best ways to check this is by getting an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) from a qualified electrician.

An EICR involves a full inspection of your property’s electrical systems, identifying any faults or potential hazards that need to be fixed to comply with safety standards. See below for of these common faults found in an EICR.

Common Faults Found in an EICR

1. Inadequate Earthing and Bonding

One of the most common issues found during an EICR is inadequate earthing and bonding. These are vital for:

  • Reducing the risk of electric shock
  • Discharging electrical faults safely

If the earthing and bonding isn’t up to scratch it’s a big safety risk. An electrician should check these areas and recommend any upgrades needed.

2. Insufficient Protection Against Electric Shock

Another common fault found in EICRs is insufficient protection against electric shock. This can include:

  • Live exposed
  • Insulation not up to standard
  • Faulty wiring

These can be serious risks to the occupants of the property. An electrician should assess these faults and advise on remedial work, such as improved insulation or re-wiring.

3. Faulty or Outdated Electrical Installations

Over time electrical installations can deteriorate or become outdated, which can create safety risks. Common issues include:

  • Old wiring that no longer meets safety standards
  • Old fuse boxes that don’t have modern protection features
  • No Residual Current Devices (RCDs) for added safety

An EICR will highlight these outdated installations and the electrician may recommend re-wiring or upgrading the consumer unit.

4. Inadequate Overload Protection

Overloaded circuits is another common issue found in EICRs. Overloading can occur when too many devices are plugged into one circuit, causing:

  • Overheating
  • Electrical fires

Solutions are:

  • Add more circuits to distribute the load more effectively* Upgrade the fuse box to meet modern usage

What to Do About EICR Faults

If any of these common faults are found in EICR, you need to act fast. To keep your property safe and compliant:

  • Get a qualified electrician to do the work
  • Upgrade outdated systems to meet current safety standards
  • Book regular inspections to stay compliant and safe

Conclusion: EICRs for Safety and Compliance

Knowing the common faults found in an EICR is key to your property being safe and compliant. Fixing the faults quickly will:

  • Protect occupants from electrical hazards
  • Keep your property up to code with the law
  • Keep your property worth more long term

If you’re not sure about the state of your electrical systems or worried about these common faults get an EICR from a qualified electrician. Regular inspections keep everyone safe and your property compliant with current regulations and help avoid these faults. For more information or queries contact us.

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