Who Can Issue An EICR?

Understanding electrical systems takes a great degree of training and knowledge. For this reason, not just anyone can undertake an Electrical Installation Condition Report and you should only ever hire a qualified electrician who is fully registered. For information on this, you can look at the NICEIC website or speak to your chosen electrician who should be able to provide evidence of their registration.

At MJP electrical, we are fully registered and qualified to carry out this type of work. The risks of not hiring the right person are far too great. Without the necessary knowledge and experience, it can be difficult for a person to determine whether there are any problems and whether the installation is safe to use.

Furthermore, those who are not trained to perform an EICR may not have the relevant equipment to correctly perform the checks. Despite popular belief, not just any electrician will be qualified to undertake this type of work so it is vital that whoever is doing the job can provide evidence that they are competent and have the relevant training.

With all of this in mind, there are things that you can do in your day to day life to ensure the safe operation of your electrical systems. While you may not be qualified to perform a full EICR, you might consider doing the following on a regular basis:

• Extension leads can be a lifesaver, especially for homes where appliances need to be placed away from the power socket. However, it is essential that you do not overload your installation. There are a set number of sockets in any installation for a reason, hooking up multiple extension leads to one outlet is likely to overload it. You should also never plug one extension cord into another; known as daisy-chaining.
• Make a habit of checking your plug sockets and light switches regularly. You should be looking for obvious signs of damage including cracks, burn marks or any other type of discolouration.
• If you need to have electrical equipment installed in your bathroom, it is essential that it is located AT LEAST three metres away from the bath or shower. Placing it further away is a great idea if you have space to do so.
• You will need to test your RCD at least every quarter. To do this, there is a test button that should cause all electrical circuits to power down. If this is not the case, you will need to have an electrician come and investigate.