EICR Electrician Hopwood

In need of an EICR specialist? Someone who takes their time carefully recording electrical faults, both minor and major? That’s us. At A Bathe Electrics, we see EICRs as not just a routine electrician inspection, but a safety precaution. It’s also a great form of preventative maintenance; we can repair or replace outdated installations or wiring which is likely going to cause more complex and costly damage further down the road.

Let’s start at the beginning; what is an EICR?

An EICR is an in-depth electrical examination which combines both visual inspections with professional electrical testing equipment such as multimeters and voltage testers. The purpose of an EICR is simple - to locate and identify electrical faults and note the severity of each one. The results will be recorded and a copy will be provided for you to keep safe.

An EICR uses codes to outline each fault's severity, allowing you to prioritise remedial work effectively. On your report you may see multiple faults, each with a different code, from C1-C3. You may also notice FI, this stands for ‘further investigation’ and as the name suggests, simply means the electrician needs a little more time to fully diagnose the fault and assign it to one of the three codes. To make it easier for you to understand, here’s what each EICR code means:

• C1, danger present. Repairs required urgently. 
• C2, potentially dangerous. Repair work should be booked in as soon as you can.  
• C3, improvements to be made. Something minor, or simply not seen as ‘best practice’ anymore. 
• FI, further investigation required. As we mentioned above, this might be a complex issue which requires more testing. It might also be something in a particular challenging, or restricted area. It’s also worth noting an FI code will result in a failed EICR until the investigation is complete.

Why are EICRs so important?

Without an EICR, you and your family could be at risk from hidden dangers. You can’t see electricity and you also can’t always see potentially dangerous faults. A lot of wires are hidden behind our walls; so if there’s an issue with those, you’ll be none the wiser unless you have an EICR carried out.

EICRs can reduce the risk of:

• Electric shocks
• Electrical fires
• Further damage to other parts of your electrical system and appliances.

EICRs - proof your home is safe.

An EICR is also formal, documented proof that your electrical system is safe. You might be asked to provide this when making an insurance claim. Also, if you're planning to sell your place, buyers often ask for a current EICR before they commit to buying. Having a valid EICR is a big plus for potential buyers and really helps your chances of getting a good offer - maybe even the full asking price or more!

How often do I need an EICR?

Homeowners should have an EICR carried out every ten years. This is the recommended advice and we’ll always stick by this. However, you may also be advised by us to have one sooner. We may recommend this if:

• You’re looking to install high demand installations like an EV home charger. 
• You’re planning on renovating your home, e.g. extending. 
• You’ve experienced damage to your home, from either a flood, fire or pests.

EICR Electricians Hopwood

Are you based in Hopwood? Is your EICR due? Just received a failed EICR? We can help with all of this. Simply fill in our enquiry form here or give us a call to discuss EICRs and how we can help you at your Hopwood home.

A Bathe Electrics - making Hopwood homes safer and you happier!