.jpg){kind=small}
Top 5 EICR Mistakes
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) evaluates the safety of an electrical installation in a building; it's essential that it's carried out correctly by a certified electrician. Yet with the ever-changing regulations & complexity, it can be easy to make mistakes.
We'll talk about the top five EICR blunders electricians make in this article.
#1 Failure to Conduct a Thorough Visual Inspection
A comprehensive visual assessment of the electrical installation is the first and most typical error that electricians make.
The first step in an EICR is a visual examination, which entails looking over the electrical installation for any potential risks. An electrician risk missing important problems that endanger the safety of the occupants by skipping a comprehensive visual assessment.
Inspecting the complete electrical installation, including bonding to all appropriate locations, checking for suitable IP-ratings for equipment & for earth fly leads on class 1 switches. Additionally, they need to watch out for any indications of deterioration, damage, or overheating. An electrician should note and further analyse any faults they find during the visual inspection.
#2 Not Understanding the Latest Regulations
The second common EICR error is failing to comprehend the demands of the most recent regulations. Electricians must stay current on the most recent updates as electrical standards are always changing. An electrician might not be able to recognise all the flaws or potential dangers in the electrical installation if they are unfamiliar with the most recent regs.
To stay current you should regularly attend training, webinars, read new regulation material & keep yourself qualified to the most recent regulations.
#3 Skipping Insulation Resistance
A more intentional yet surprisingly common error is skipping insulation resistance testing altogether.
It's all too common to look at a report carried out by another electrician & notice unrealistic insulation resistance readings, which you soon discover are false.
Not testing insulation resistance blunts the effectiveness of the inspection & potentially means current leakage caused by inadequate insulation is left connected with the potential to cause electric shock, fire, or damage to electrical equipment.
Insulation resistance testing can also assist in identifying any deterioration or damage to the insulation, which may be caused by a variety of elements, such as weather conditions, mechanical damage, or general wear and tear. Electricians can take the necessary steps to address any insulation problems and improve the safety of the building's occupants by identifying any concerns with the insulation.
#4 Not Asking the Right Questions
Enquiring about any electrical troubles occupiers have experienced can provide valuable insights.
Occupants may have picked up on problems that an EICR inspection has the potential to miss, sometimes because it hasn't developed into a major problem, yet.
This can assist with identifying possible problems early on, investigating & taking proper action to fix them but often these insights are missed by failing to simply ask the right questions. Electricians can potentially even save time and resources by using occupants' knowledge of their property to guide them.
#5 Not Taking Appropriate Action
EICR error number 5 is, failing to take the proper action. An electrician is obligated to take appropriate action to either address any dangerous electrical conditions via communication with those ordering the work or, where necessary, immediately improve the safety of an electrical installation should the defect be too dangerous to be for repair to be postponed.
Electricians must ensure they address any issues or potential risks found in the electrical installation by taking the proper measures. A concise and clear explanation of the steps taken to address the problems should also be provided.
