Abstract / Key Takeaways
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is a professional assessment record prepared by a suitably qualified person against the UK's BS 7671 (IET Wiring Regulations). Rather than a simple pass/fail, it uses the coded observations C1, C2, C3, and FI. This checklist helps organize evidence but is not itself an issued EICR.
C1, C2, and FI observations normally lead to an Unsatisfactory assessment, while C3 is advisory. The suitably qualified inspector must classify each observation from the actual evidence and current BS 7671 requirements; the examples below are not automatic coding rules.
The EICR Defect Coding Matrix
A qualified electrical inspector categorizes all identified faults using a standardized severity scale. Understanding this matrix is critical.
| Code | Definition | EICR Outcome | Required Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| C1 | Danger Present | Unsatisfactory | Immediate Remedial Action Required. |
| C2 | Potentially Dangerous | Unsatisfactory | Urgent Remedial Action Required. |
| C3 | Improvement Recommended | Satisfactory (if alone) | Advisory Action. Recommended but not legally demanded. |
| FI | Further Investigation | Unsatisfactory | Required to determine potential hidden danger. |
Critical C1 Failures (Immediate Danger)
A C1 (Danger Present) code means that the people using the installation are at an immediate, undeniable risk of electric shock, thermal burns, or electrical fire.
The inspecting professional should take appropriate action under the applicable safety procedure, which may include isolation where authorized and necessary, and clearly communicate any immediate danger.
- Exposed Live Wires: Damaged cabling exposing copper conductors, or missing blanking plates on the consumer unit allowing fingers to touch the busbar.
- Overheating Connections: Evidence of thermal damage, melting insulation, or arcing inside switches or junction boxes.
- Missing Earthing: Completely broken or missing main protective bonding that drastically increases the risk of a lethal electric shock in the event of a fault.
- Incorrect Fuse Ratings: Dangerously overloaded circuits wired to oversized breakers that will not trip before the cables melt.
Navigating C2 Faults (Potential Danger)
A C2 (Potentially Dangerous) code signifies an identifiable risk of harm and implies the electrical system is operating below current BS 7671 standards. While not an immediate, active danger like a C1, a C2 issue could become lethal under fault conditions. The presence of a single C2 code automatically renders the EICR "Unsatisfactory."
C2 indicates a potentially dangerous condition requiring urgent remedial action. Whether continued use is safe must be decided by the qualified professional from the actual condition—not inferred from this reference page.
- Missing RCD Protection: The absence of a Residual Current Device (RCD) for a socket that might reasonably be used to plug in portable appliances outdoors (e.g., cutting the grass).
- Damaged Accessories: Cracked plug sockets or shattered light switches where the live parts aren't fully exposed *yet*, but the integrity of the plastic enclosure is compromised.
- Inadequate Bonding: Lack of proper cross-bonding to metal pipework in bathrooms or kitchens.
- Environmental Hazards: Sockets positioned dangerously close to water sources.
Understanding C3 Recommendations
C3 (Improvement Recommended) is advisory and does not by itself normally make the report Unsatisfactory. It is not a general declaration that an older installation is compliant; the inspector assesses the installation as a whole against the applicable requirements.
- Outdated Aesthetics & Cable Colors: Older installations using red and black wiring instead of the modernized brown and blue harmonization framework.
- Consumer Unit Labeling: Lack of identification labels or circuit charts on distribution boards.
- Buried Cables: Absence of RCD protection for cables buried in walls at depths less than 50mm, specifically in very low-risk zones.
- Minor Superficial Damage: A tiny chip in a faceplate that offers no path to live contacts.
Whether remedial work is legally required depends on the installation, tenancy regime, jurisdiction, and current regulations. Record the observation accurately and obtain project-specific advice where needed.