How to do an EICR start to finish - Electrical Safety Inspection and Test

I take a run through an EICR (electrical installation condition report) step by step and share some of my methods/experiences in the hope it helps others.
Everyone approaches these differently and no installation is exactly the same.
If you are a homeowner/landlord/tenant then this is roughly what an EICR or electrical safety inspection and test or PIR in old money should look like.
Thanks

[@itanc1]

Really enjoyed this, especially the ‘extra’ bits you do for your own piece of mind. I have just bought my first mft and getting to grips with I&T. Your film was a great help and i have subscribed. Thanks again

[@graemetaylor8933]

Really well put together video, good sensible explanation on how in depth you need to test

[@SJM689]

Great video buddy, if you havent already get an apprentice, you would make a great teacher. My daughter loves yours videos and helped her in her exams immensely. The trade need more people like you in it to pass on your knowledge in yhe way you do.

[@electrician247]

Thanks mate. Yeah we have apprentices. I do www.apprentice121.co.uk as well 🙌. Pleased to hear your daughter is doing well! If she would like an A121 support package drop an email over. [e-mail]

[@munafmufc01]

Great video Mark. Very helpful and clear explanation. Thank you

[@mohamedsiadabdille7631]

Thanks for your time and effort to put this interesting video for EICR

[@mb-electricalservices]

Excellent Mark. Perfect for my apprentice as he's never off his blinking phone 🤣

[@electrician247]

🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭

[@samclegg9319]

Thanks mark im just about to do my test and inspection exam in a few weeks and this was informative 👍

[@andrewcadby]

Good video Mark, it's always interesting to see how other sparks carry out their EICRs. Good (and often overlooked) point about EICRs not being IV. Some tests have little value for an installation that is already in service, eg IR between L and N, and time is better spent on other things IMO. I have found that continuity tests through lampholders using lightmate adaptors often return a higher result than when tested at the terminals. Wear and tear on the lampholder I guess.

[@skabbymuff111]

I really appreciate this video thanks for making it.

[@ElectricianTV]

What a great video thanks for taking the time to make this mark. It’s so funny watching the video and hearing the smoke alarm chirping away Keep up the good work

[@electrician247]

That bloody alarm was so annoying. Cheers Will! Appreciate it mate.

[@user-fr4qm2ec5w]

Good video, really helpful for a wannabe sparky. Back to my books.. thumbs up 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@alancooper7018]

Thanks Mark, all very interesting and educational. Keep up the good work.

[@colingoode3702]

Great video. My son has just moved into a new / old house & needs to get an EICR done because the Curry's install team wouldn't connect his new oven up because there was an earth issue. When the circuit was tested it was tripping the main board 80 amp breaker & not the oven circuit 30 amp breaker - which should be 32amp. It's an old CU which probably needs replacing. Also, upon closer inspection we can't find an incoming earth / CPC & can't find an earth rod either! Not sure where all the socket earth wires go to then & I do wonder is there is any bonding of water / gas pipes either (1950's house)? All part of the fun when you buy an older house which hasn't been touched since the 1970's.

[@dansparkyintraining]

Nice one Mark

[@peaceonearth9550]

Great video

[@montystelevision3238]

This isn't just a video. It's enrichment for anyone watching. Thanks so much.

[@LindaTheLearner]

Thanks Mark … really great video .. I learnt loads 👷‍♀️

[@electrician247]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mathewthomas1164]

What a brilliant video!

[@electrician247]

To kind. Thanks

[@jonnykay8820]

Good stuff👍

[@yngndrw.]

A few things that I spotted, but I'm not sure if they are something you'd typically report on: 1) No clamp on the tails where they go into the main switch. (Not sure if that one is only for TT systems?) 2) The tails run over and touching a pipe from the heating system. 3) The "Do not store combustible materials near to this equipment" sign right next to the gas meter.

[@electrician247]

The flapping cables under the CU could be one of them mate lol. Good spot!

[@davidcarr291]

Do NOT miss house bashing. A really great walk through video, lots of knowledge imparted in an easily comprehendabe manner. Got to admire your patter as well, some of the other guys make my brain commit sepu ku in under 5 minutes. I'd love to see what you'd make of the hotel refurbs i work on... Eternally bemused at what they get away with. Seriously you'd have a heart attack 😂. Still... I don't sign them off, so not my problem 😬🤠🙈🙉🙊

[@electrician247]

lol, yeah I’ve seen some shockers in the commercial world that’s for sure! Cheers mate.

[@TheHomeent]

Hi. Mark Did you get to the bottom of the extractor hood, whether it was on an isolator or prmantly wired in.? And just broken.

[@edwardduffy6813]

Another great video and again full of content. What code did you give CU ?. Apart from the " hole " in top, would you C2 based on CU being plastic, understairs, no RCD or SPD ? Napit Codebreakers still saying C3 unless thermal damage. It is still the biggest bone of contention on EICR's....Thanks

[@electrician247]

If its not showing thermal damage then C3 for me. However the sockets used outside I would C2. Makes a lot of sense to just upgrade in any case.

[@somefin]

Good video👆

[@electrician247]

Thanks

[@ChristmasCrustacean1]

interesting that the board has the split busbars for RCD protection and they were never utilised.

[@jcf828]

Thanks for the upload. Just asking a question as I watch. How did you know the boiler spur was double pole just from looking at the external?

[@electrician247]

I opened it and read the label 🤭

[@3789gaz]

As always, brilliant content Mark! If I had a quid for every single time I forgot to switch a socket switch, I'd be able to buy David Savery (and Nige) a round or two. Just out of curiosity, did you tick TN-S or TN-C-S for the earthing arrangement on this EICR? I know the DNO typically won't guarantee TN-S if you enquire with them but physically it is a TN-S head but we know it's realistically going to be TN-C-S. Spotted something I didn't like the look of - the elbow union on what looks like the return/flow of the central heating system, which is directly above the electricity meter and with a bit of a green hue. I'd be concerned about leaks - could get interesting. Keep up the great work!

[@electrician247]

Hi mate, thanks! Went down as a TNCS I know its PME in the street and tbh keeps me on the side of caution lol. Good Ze value as well.

[@drpantastic1969]

Im just at the point where you take the board cover off but im having to rewind a lot as you speak kinda fast lol just something i wanted to add.thanks for this video its helping a lot i actually passed my 2391-52 last year but have done no inspection or testing since and feel like im forgetting stuff i have been offered a testing role however im bricking it but im trying to watch video and will hit the books again.any tips you have would be grateful

[@coreybart2783]

How did it go?

[@EdwardBretherton]

great video , would have been even better with codes , keep them coming

[@williambrown1073]

Holes in surface mounted back boxes above cu.

[@dssumner]

Hi Mark, very interesting & informative video. Did you not show the Main Earth Ze test on purpose?

[@electrician247]

Was careful not to make an entire how to, same as always. While showing plenty of stuff to try help apprentices. Plus at 45 mins this was a lot of editing effort/time.

[@usoip8482]

at the start you done the r1 r2 test is that big r1 r2 ?

[@waithereivegonetogethelp3240]

I think I would've taken the battery out of that smoke detector

[@electrician247]

Didn't notice it at the time tbh

[@Ultraharv1]

@@electrician247 you mention it at 3:25 liar

[@electrician247]

It was a joke Harvey. Quite clearly it was impossible not to notice 🤣. Relax a bit. Plus who goes around taking smoke detection out of service and disables alarms? Not a sensible person that's for sure. Have a good weekend #bekind

[@LeighWinspear]

Another useful video for all, including us older sparks, newer to domestic electricks. Just wondering, how much time do you dedicate as a maximum per circuit whilst doing a typical EICR? Also, what is the average time for a full, dare I say, properly done EICR on a 3 bed home for example? Just to let the estate agents/landlords know a timescale. Then, how do you arrange the remedial work to ensure a pass/satisfactory inspection? Maybe another video..... Cheers n stuff.........;)

[@barnabybot]

Yeah, I'm always suspicious of these videos when they've tested "properly". Yet manage to do it all in a suspiciously prompt amount of time. Would love to see a real time stopwatch in the corner and edited for easy viewing.

[@cranefamily]

Mark is it me as you did not show everything in video but did you not test light switch for polarity switching ?

[@electrician247]

Light switches are all checked Kevin. Didnt show the full thing but focused on a few bits. Still went on 45 mins which is a long video to edit lol

[@tomistallard]

Hi mate. Cheers for the video. I'm looking to do my courses next year and am looking at Multifunctional testers.... Can you tell me a list of tests that are needed for an ECIR so I can get a good tester now that can do the job.. Continuity Insulation Rcd (all types?) Etc Thank you. Keep up the good work. Regards Tom

[@electrician247]

Thanks mate TIS eco and mft plus are the best options imho but we all prefer different things. The tests needed are in GN3 and vary a little based on the installation. But generally continuity, insulation resistance, Zs/Ze, pfc pssc, RCD. Other options are Ra for electrode measurement, phase rotation, EVSE, volt drop, power quality etc. The TIS mft does this

[@tomistallard]

@@electrician247 cheers mate

[@duckman5642]

Thats about the max time 45 mins on one +another 2 hrs for the bureaucratic paperwork.

[@davewilson9472]

Please can I ask how long it roughly takes to get the inspection results/certificate once you've completed an inspection? Thanks

[@electrician247]

We issue smaller certs same day. Larger programs longer as they require more time in review.

[@squakkers]

Did you change the batteries in the smoke alarm. I found myself having a “Here’s Johnny!” Moment

[@electrician247]

No mate they need changing as way out of date.

[@user-iz6sp6pe1r]

How long the proses take for 3 bedrooms semi detached pls? Because the electrican i paid to do the checked only took him 10 minuted, please answer me, Thank you

[@Stepho91x]

I think these tests take around an hour so 10 mins seems very rushed! I would ask them why it was so quick & that you just want to make sure they did it properly.

[@paulstimpson8977]

10 Minutes means your EICR is worthless. As for time that can vary quite a bit, is it empty like this one, stuff in the way, number of circuits etc A properly done EICR on a 3 Bed semi should be a couple of hours minimum imo.

[@user-iz6sp6pe1r]

@@Stepho91x thank you, the electrician conned me indeed

[@user-iz6sp6pe1r]

@@paulstimpson8977 thank you the electrician conned me indeed

[@BowdenBuilders]

what do you use for the dual camera recording?

[@electrician247]

Samsung Galaxy series phones do directors view recording

[@chrissharpe2106]

Just started doing EICRs and school boy errors are tripping me up. I spent an hour tracing a fault before I remembered my link was wrong side of a split load board.

[@electrician247]

It happens lol.

[@billsbasementworkshop1902]

Do you need an AFDD in a domestic property?

[@persona250]

Only if the premises is high risk for example HMO high rise flats .And only on socket circuits

[@Mulisha0071]

Nope.

[@Saf_]

How come you don't pull the fuse and re seal it after?

[@electrician247]

Because I don't

[@Saf_]

@@electrician247 fair enough 😂 was curious if there was a legal reason or just personal preference

[@electrician247]

@@Saf_ it is illegal to interfere with metering and dno equipment. Grey ish area

[@scott4shell]

Where did you get that sexy r1+r2 clip I WANT ONE!!!

[@electrician247]

The one in the light pendent? Those are TIS lightmate adaptors.

[@scott4shell]

@@electrician247 I was talking about the crock clips one really good idea

[@electrician247]

@@scott4shell ahh those are kewtech clips. Most wholesalers have them mate.

[@scott4shell]

@@electrician247 Sweet thanks for the reply I use Edmundsons Sunderland and they don’t do kewtech I’m glad you replied and I watched your vid without people sharing knowledge you don’t know these things exist your a Star ⭐️

[@MrImATarget]

Don't do yourself down on the schoolboy errors. Error number two wasn't an error, you were simply testing polarity of the switching arrangement of the socket.

[@electrician247]

I like it 🤣🤣🤣

[@ef7480]

No PFC at origin?

[@electrician247]

Of course but like I said, not a full testing run through. Was hard enough editing up 45 minutes worth lol.

[@PT4LifeYO]

Replace for a class 2.

[@pokaacyce]

Why would you not pull the main fuse? You are qualified, competent and doing so for your safety whilst performing the EICR, therefore nothing illegal.

[@electrician247]

You are correct as we do work with the DNO. However without that DNO training I would be none of the above. It is illegal in any application without direct permission unless it’s an emergency situation. Not that anyone would ever be prosecuted. But for me and us it’s a no. Anyone admitting to the opposite should think very carefully. Especially on a public platform…..

[@stevedebbiemoore]

The no trip test fools the RCD into not tripping, once upon a time the MFT used to flood the RCD with a DC current to achieve this, not sure if this is how the TIS works. Incidentally this is the reason why we need to use type A RCD's tied with an RDCDD in EV charging.

[@barnabybot]

One day a youtube spark will show a full timelapse video of testing rather than this Mary Poppins bullshit.

[@electrician247]

One day all comments will be useful and productive rather than a vent at someone else sharing. The answer to your problem is make the content you want to see. Clearly not getting it here 🤣

[@michaellack5139]

First thing first…..put smoke detector in garden ffs

[@asarkiro]

far too much waffling

[@electrician247]

And yet not enough detail for some. Such is the way of sharing videos on KZbin. Have a lovely day

[@n3ilvincent870]

Liked your video but I’m sorry. But you just talk to much

[@electrician247]

Kinda the point of making a video and discussing it 🤣. Feel free to make a video how you want just like I did 💪

[@mastergraphic9998]

How can you do a guidance video without giving guidance.... what did you want to watch someone just walking around inspecting and testing without any talking 😅

[@electrician247]

@mastergraphic9998 I must do better lol. Can't help talking tbf I enjoy waffling 🤭

[@mastergraphic9998]

@electrician247 lol love your video mate. Keep doing what ur doing and if they don't like them they don't have to watch... i always learn something useful 👍