Ever wondered what happens when an electrical tester in Wanstead visits your property for an electrical safety inspection? Here’s a step-by-step guide by Sheaworks for home and commercial property owners.

Have you been told you need an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)? Are you now wondering what it includes? You are not alone. Every homeowner, business owner, and landlord has been in your place. We’re here to help you understand the process so that you are prepared and confident when booking a service from an electrical tester in the future.

Electrical Safety Checks – What’s the Purpose?

An EICR refers to a professional report that analyses the condition of electrical installations for the safety of occupants. Its primary purpose is to ensure your electrical system fulfils the present UK regulations or the BS7671. So, when you book EICR service from an electrical tester in Wanstead or anywhere in the UK, expect the professional to:

  • Determine the safety of electrical units
  • Check for sufficient protection devices, including RCBOs, MCBs, and RCDs
  • Examine the presence of proper bonding and earthing
  • Discover signs of damage such as wear or overheating
  • Test the suitability of electrical systems for continued use

Who Is Required to Run an EICR?

  • Homeowners: EICR restores their peace of mind when they are buying or selling their homes.
  • Landlords: An EICR is needed every 5 years to fulfil legal requirements.
  • Businesses: For complying with the Health & Safety guidelines and for insurance purposes.

How Long Does an Electrical Safety Check Take?

The time needed for an electrical safety inspection, specifically an EICR, depends on the factors below:

  • Property size
  • Installation complexity
  • The count of circuits to be tested
  • The presence of potential issues diagnosed during the inspection

A small home or a 1-2 bedroom apartment usually takes 2-3 hours. On the contrary, electrical safety checks in a house or a 3-4 bedroom apartment take around 3-5 hours to complete. In commercial premises, the duration can be anything between half a day and a full day. The layout determines the timeline in this case.

What Happens During an Electrical Safety Inspection?

Here’s what is involved when you hire an electrical tester in Wanstead or elsewhere for an inspection:

  • Visual Inspection

This stage involves an initial walkthrough to determine the circuit count and the property layout. Here, the professional conducts visual checks of earthing, bonding, switches, lights, sockets, and the consumer unit. The technician is also responsible for determining the damage signs and any non-compliance in DIY work.

  • Dead Testing

Dead testing is an inspection where the power is switched off to check the insulation resistance, RCD operation, conductor continuity, and earth fault loop paths. This is where the concealed issues become visible.

  • Live Testing

Opposite to dead testing, the live testing involves switching on the power to conduct polarity checks, functional tests, and RCD trip time tests. In this step, lights, sockets, fixed appliances, and switches are inspected. Regardless of the inspections we undertake, safety is prioritised to lower instances of disruption.

Based on the inspection, a digital EICR report is published, summarising the findings. A code determines the presence of danger and other issues. Below are the codes you could expect from an electrical safety check:

C1—Presence of danger; immediate attention is required
C2—Urgent attention is advised to tackle the potential dangers
C3—Improvement is recommended
F1—A deeper investigation is required

At Sheaworks, we take care of ‘unsatisfactory’ reports. So, there is nothing to panic about. Request a clear quote to cover any remedial work.

What Are Your Responsibilities Before an Electrical Tester Visits?

When you hire an electrical tester in Wanstead or anywhere in the UK, know that you are equally responsible for things to go smoothly. Here are a few expectations from your end:

  • Ensuring seamless access to the main switch and the consumer unit
  • Communication about any specific issue you might have experienced lately
  • Again, access to sockets, rooms, and visible wires
  • A parking facility or sharing information is needed to avoid delays in the work

Allow Us to Handle Everything – Book an Electrical Tester from Sheaworks!

Book an EICR at Sheaworks Ltd, an electrical contractor governed by NICEIC. We visit your property and explore the possibilities of fire outbreaks, defective wiring, overloaded circuits, shock hazards, damaged electrical fittings, and exposed live wires. Our honest and meticulous inspection saved many homeowners, landlords, and business owners from safety risks. Call us today and step up your prioritisation for everyone’s well-being.