EICR Electrical Testing & Inspection in Norwich

The “MOT” for your home’s electrics. We provide rigorous, honest Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICR) for landlords, homebuyers, and homeowners across Norfolk.

You cannot smell, hear, or see electricity until it is too late. Wires hidden inside walls can rot, connections can loosen, and DIY errors from previous owners can sit unnoticed for years—until they cause a fire or an electric shock.

Just like your car needs a regular check-up, your electrical installation needs professional testing to ensure it is safe. At Yare Electrical, we pride ourselves on precision and integrity. We don’t use testing as an excuse to upsell you unnecessary work. If your system is safe, we pass it. If it is unsafe, we tell you exactly why, in plain English, with photographic evidence.

Landlords: Are You Compliant?

By law, rental properties must be tested every 5 years. Failure to comply can result in fines of up to £30,000.

What is an EICR?

An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)—formerly known as a Periodic Inspection—is an in-depth check of your property’s fixed wiring. It tests everything from the main fuse board and earthing arrangements to the sockets, switches, and light fittings.

It is not a quick visual check. It involves using high-precision test equipment to inject voltages into the cables to measure their integrity.

Who Needs an Electrical Test?

1. Private Landlords (The Law)

Under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, all private landlords must have the electrical installations in their rented properties inspected and tested by a qualified person at least every 5 years. You must provide a copy of the “Satisfactory” report to your tenant within 28 days.

2. Homebuyers (The “Survey” Trap)

When you buy a house, your RICS building surveyor will likely say: “Electrics appear visual, no test conducted.” This means they haven’t checked the safety of the wiring.

We perform Pre-Purchase EICRs. We frequently find dangerous issues in “well-presented” homes—such as lack of earthing or rotting rubber cables—that could cost thousands to fix. Having our report before you exchange contracts gives you the power to negotiate the price or ask the seller to fix the faults.

3. Homeowners

It is recommended that owner-occupied homes are tested every 10 years. If you notice flickering lights, tripping switches, or old-fashioned wiring, you should book a test immediately regardless of the 10-year rule.

Understanding the Codes: Did I Pass?

The EICR will issue a result of either SATISFACTORY or UNSATISFACTORY. If we find defects, they are categorised by severity. It is vital you understand these codes:

• Code C1 (Danger Present): Immediate threat to life.
  Example: Live wires hanging out of a wall, or a broken socket with access to live parts.
  Action: We are legally obliged to make this safe immediately (often by isolating the circuit) before we leave your property.
• Code C2 (Potentially Dangerous): Urgent remedial action required.
  Example: No Earth bonding to your gas/water pipes, or a socket circuit with no RCD protection in a bathroom.
  Action: The system is Unsatisfactory. You must get this fixed within 28 days (for landlords) to pass.
• Code C3 (Improvement Recommended): Non-compliant with the very latest regulations, but not dangerous.
  Example: A consumer unit that is plastic but in good condition, or wiring colours that are old (Red/Black) but sound.
  Action: The system is Satisfactory. You don’t have to fix these to pass, but we recommend it for safety.
• Code FI (Further Investigation): We found something strange that we couldn’t verify without taking more of the building apart.
  Action: Unsatisfactory until investigated.

The Testing Process: What We Do

An EICR takes between 2 to 4 hours depending on the size of the property. We need access to every room and the fuse board.

Step 1: Visual Inspection

We look for signs of wear and tear, overheating (browning), and poor DIY workmanship. We check that the fuse board has the correct warning labels and circuit charts.

Step 2: Dead Testing (Power Off)

We turn off the mains power. We perform Continuity Testing (R1+R2) to ensure that the earth wire travels continuously from the fuse board to every single socket and light fitting. We then perform Insulation Resistance testing, blasting the cables with 500V to check the plastic coating hasn’t degraded.

Step 3: Live Testing (Power On)

We re-energise the system and test the Earth Fault Loop Impedance (Zs). This ensures that if a fault occurs, the electricity can flow to earth fast enough to blow the fuse. Finally, we test your RCDs to ensure they trip within the required time (usually under 40ms).

What If My Property Fails?

If your report comes back “Unsatisfactory,” don’t panic. It is very common for older houses to fail on the first inspection.

We will provide a jargon-free explanation of the faults and a fixed-price quote to fix the specific C1 and C2 issues. You are under no obligation to use us for the repairs, but if you do, we will update the certificate to “Satisfactory” free of charge once the work is verified.

PAT Testing vs. EICR

People often confuse the two. Here is the difference:

• EICR (Fixed Wire Testing): Tests the cables inside the walls, the fuse board, and the sockets. (The building itself).
• PAT (Portable Appliance Testing): Tests the things you plug in (kettle, toaster, lamp). Landlords should ideally do both.

Why Choose Yare Electrical?

• NICEIC Accredited: Our inspectors are rigorously trained in BS7671 Amendment 2. Our reports are accepted by all insurance companies and local councils.
• Fixed Pricing: We charge a clear flat rate based on the number of bedrooms or consumer unit ways. No hidden hourly fees.
• Digital Reports: You receive a high-quality PDF report via email, usually within 24 hours of the inspection completion.

Book Your Safety Check

Ensure your home is safe and legal. Contact Yare Electrical on 01603 626400 to book your EICR appointment.