by ericmark »
Thu Jul 20, 2023 4:48 am
The old EICR had 4 main codes, but the IET decided code 4 = does not comply with current edition of BS7671 was misleading, so it was reduced to three main codes, with a C in front so you know new system is being used.
So you have C1 = dangerous which is reasonably cut and dried, but C2 = potentially dangerous and we have to consider 230 volt AC is always potentially dangerous, so C3 = improvement recommended and C2 can be awarded for the same condition, it is down to the inspector what code he uses, we also have FI = further investigation required and LIM = limit of inspection which can also mean the same thing.
So the codes are in real terms useless, it is the description which counts.
Also the same EICR is done for commercial as well as domestic, and it is acceptable to only inspect a sample, the idea is if one inspects a quarter of the sockets and no faults are found, to remove further sockets seems rather pointless, only if faults are found are more sockets removed, there is of course the reverse, if clearly a circuit needs re-wiring what is the point of disturbing more which could introduce faults.
When we found my parents house had rubber insulated cables the inspection was stopped, it needed re-wiring, and to disturb further could introduce more danger.
I would have said the EICR done by seller is no good to the buyer as the seller has agreed to the extent of the inspection, however Pembrokeshire trading standards did take an electrician to court for not listing all the faults.
This has resulted in some electricians looking for a fault even if non exists, as then they can say they were not the last people to inspect, however the EICR does not need to be done by some one we think of being an electrician, many a house buyer report includes comments about the state of the electrics, clearly this is an EICR, even if not given that name.
When I bought this house the report said there was a redundant fuse box hidden in the ceiling, however it was not redundant, it was still in use.
If the buyer wants to rent the property he wants to know if he needs to do any work, so wants a satisfactory report for gas and electric installations, however there is nothing to say what is or is not satisfactory, unlike a car MOT where the inspector has a strict set of instructions as to what is pass or fail, the electrical inspector has to make up his own mind.
So with a TT installation (uses an earth rod) having a RCD is a must, but the editions of BS 7671 all give dates for when designs note designs one date of installation have to comply with that edition, so if designed in 1993 it has to comply with BS 7671:1992 not BS 7671:2018 and in 1993 there was no requirement for an RCD with a TN installation (earth supplied by the electrical supplier) I think all homes today should have RCD protection, but as to if lacking one can say it is potentially dangerous is another thing.
There is a consideration that in 2008 if you have RCD protection a lot of the bonding requirements for bathrooms were dropped, and the problem is using plastic pipes to comply with the old regulations is near impossible, so due to change in bathroom rules, often lack of RCD is considered as unsatisfactory, but this is not cut and dried, it is up to the inspector.
Although we have schemes, and to do domestic work electricians have to be in the main scheme members, the EICR is often beyond the remit for their scheme, it would make sense for me to have to enter my exam date and certificate number on the form, but one does not even have to pass C&G 2391 to do the inspection, I could add Fdeng behind my name, but to be frank there was nothing in my degree training which helps me do an EICR, so that would be a little pointless.
So you have to select an electrician you can trust to do the report for the home your going to buy, and you really need to ignore any report shown to you by the vendor.
When I came to sell my mothers house, I had two compliance certificates and a completion certificate and I realised there was nothing to really say what they covered, I knew, but nothing to say which electrical installation certificate went with which completion certificate or what superseded what. So in real terms a bit useless, had the certificated come from the LABC then they may have helped, but when I at first could not find them, was told it would take 4 months to get replacements, and would need to pay however long it took council worker to find them, in other words go away we don't what to know.
So no point you as the seller getting an EICR done, it needs to be commissioned by the buyer.
