EICR vs EIC – it’s a distinction you don’t want to get wrong. If you’ve ever stared at a stack of paperwork from an electrician, wondering if you’ve got the right certificate, you’re definitely not alone.
\Mixing these up can cause headaches for landlords, homeowners, and letting agents trying to prove compliance.
They sound almost interchangeable, but they answer totally different questions. An EIC confirms new electrical work has been designed, installed, and tested properly.
An EICR, on the other hand, reports on the condition of wiring and equipment that’s already in place. You need an EIC after new installation work, while an EICR checks the safety of an installation that’s already in service – especially for those periodic checks landlords have to do.
This guide digs into what each document actually contains, when you need them, and how to read the results if you’re handed one after a job or inspection.
Key Takeaways
- An EIC certifies new electrical work. An EICR assesses the safety of existing installations.
- Landlords in England must get an EICR at least every five years. An EIC doesn’t replace this legal requirement.
- Understanding observation codes and test results helps you know if remedial action is needed – and how urgent it is.
EICR vs EIC – What’s The Difference?
The easiest way to tell these apart? Ask what happened at the property. If an electrician built something new, you need an EIC.
If they inspected what’s already there, you’re looking at an EICR. That single question clears up most confusion around EICR vs EIC.
What Each Document Proves
An EIC proves new electrical work meets current wiring regulations at the time it was finished. It’s a one-off record for a specific job.
An EICR gives a professional opinion on the condition of an existing installation, based on a periodic inspection and testing.
Scope, Timing And Typical Use
An EIC covers only the work done on that job – think a new circuit, a full rewire, or wiring for an extension. The electrician issues it right after the work’s done.
An EICR covers the whole installation, or a clearly defined part of it. It’s repeated at intervals, usually every five years in rented homes.
A new EIC says a specific piece of work was done correctly. It doesn’t tell you anything about the rest of the installation, like older circuits or wiring from years ago.
For landlords, this is crucial. Having a recent EIC for a kitchen rewire doesn’t satisfy the legal duty to check the entire installation with an EICR.
When an Electrical Installation Certificate Is Issued
An electrician issues an EIC the moment new work is finished and tested. This covers things like a full rewire, new circuits, replacing a consumer unit, or wiring for an extension or outbuilding.
The certificate confirms the work meets BS 7671 (the IET Wiring Regulations, currently 18th Edition). It comes with two supporting documents: a schedule of inspections and a schedule of test results. Without these, the EIC isn’t complete.
Projects That Need a Full EIC
You’ll need a full EIC for substantial new installation work. Some examples:
- Full or partial rewire
- Installing a new consumer unit
- Adding new circuits, like lighting
- Wiring a new extension or outbuilding
- Work in special locations (bathrooms, for instance)
What Initial Verification Records
Before signing an EIC, the electrician inspects and tests the finished installation. They check insulation, earthing, and continuity, then record the details on the schedules that go with the certificate.
When a Minor Works Certificate Is More Suitable
Not every job needs a full EIC. If you’re just adding a socket to an existing circuit, outside a special location, a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate (MEIWC) usually covers it. That’s a shorter document for small tweaks that don’t involve new circuits.
Building Control and Part P Notification
Some work falls under Part P of the Building Regulations, which means it needs to go to building control. Most people use a competent person scheme like NICEIC or NAPIT, letting the electrician self-certify and notify on your behalf. It’s just easier that way.
What an EICR Inspection Assesses
An EICR looks at the existing installation as a whole, from the consumer unit down to individual sockets and lighting circuits. During a domestic EICR, the electrician inspects fixed wiring, tests key safety points, and records it all on a standard report.
Fixed Wiring, Consumer Units and Circuits
The inspection covers fixed cabling, the consumer unit or fuse board, and each circuit connected to it. The electrician checks for damage, overheating, dodgy connections, and outdated components that don’t meet current standards.
Inspection and Test Results
Testing measures things like insulation resistance and earth fault loop impedance. These numbers show whether safety devices will work if something goes wrong. They’re all recorded on the schedule of test results.
The electrician logs every finding on the schedule of inspections and the schedule of test results. That way, there’s a clear record of what was checked and what the numbers showed.
Satisfactory and Unsatisfactory Outcomes
The report ends with either Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory. Even one serious issue can make the whole report Unsatisfactory, no matter how good the rest looks.
What PAT Testing Does Not Cover
PAT testing checks portable appliances – like kettles and lamps – not the fixed installation. EICR and PAT testing are separate, both done by qualified people, and shouldn’t be mixed up.
Understanding Observations, Fault Codes and Remedial Action
Every issue found during an EICR gets an observation code. These codes help landlords or homeowners understand what to do next.
How C1, C2, C3 and FI Codes Differ
- C1: Danger present. Needs immediate action, sometimes before the electrician even leaves.
- C2: Potentially dangerous. Urgent action needed, but maybe not on the spot.
- C3: Improvement recommended, but not essential for a Satisfactory result.
- FI: Further investigation required to see if danger exists.
What Makes a Report Unsatisfactory
Any single C1, C2, or FI code makes the EICR Unsatisfactory. Only C3 can appear on a Satisfactory report, since it’s just a recommendation, not a defect.
Correcting Defects and Keeping Evidence
Once you fix defects, keep evidence – ideally an updated certificate or a follow-up EICR. This paper trail supports compliance and can help if there’s ever a dispute with a tenant or buyer.
Landlord Responsibilities and Certificate Management
Landlords in England have electrical safety duties set out in law. Knowing what’s required, and when, helps avoid both non-compliance and wasted money.
The Five-Year Requirement in England
Under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, landlords must have the electrical installation inspected and tested at least every five years by a qualified person. This applies to rentals in England; elsewhere in the UK, the rules are different.
Supplying Reports to Tenants and Local Authorities
Landlords have to give tenants a copy of the EICR within 28 days of inspection, and provide it to new tenants before they move in. Local authorities can ask for a copy too, and you’ve got to supply it within seven days.
When a Recent EIC Affects Future Inspection Planning
A recent EIC for new work – like a rewire or new consumer unit – can help the next electrician carrying out an EICR. But it doesn’t extend the five-year interval or remove the need for a periodic check on the rest of the installation.
Keeping Electrical Records Alongside Other Property Documents
It’s smart to keep the EICR with other compliance paperwork, like the EPC, gas safety records, and tenancy documents. Good record keeping makes life easier and shows a clear compliance history if anyone ever asks.
If you need any support in obtaining either, get in touch with our team at Complete Connectrix for a free quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an EICR vs EIC?
An Electrical Installation Certificate confirms that new electrical work meets current wiring regulations. An Electrical Installation Condition Report checks the safety and condition of an existing installation. They serve different purposes – EICR vs EIC is not just a technicality.
Do I need an Electrical Installation Condition Report if I already have an Electrical Installation Certificate?
Yes, usually. An EIC only covers the specific work it relates to – not the whole installation. Landlords in England still need a valid EICR to meet legal duties, even if there’s a recent EIC.
When is an Electrical Installation Certificate required?
You need an EIC whenever new installation work is finished – like a rewire, new circuits, or a consumer unit replacement. Smaller tweaks to an existing circuit may only need a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate.
How often should an Electrical Installation Condition Report be carried out?
For private rented properties in England, you legally need an EICR at least every five years. Older or problematic installations might need checking more often, depending on what the electrician finds.
Can a competent person carry out an Electrical Installation Condition Report?
Yes, as long as they’re a competent and qualified electrician with the right skills and experience for inspection and testing. Many are registered with schemes like NICEIC or NAPIT, which set standards for this work.
What issues can cause an Electrical Installation Condition Report to be unsatisfactory?
If there’s even one C1 or C2 observation, the report’s marked Unsatisfactory. Any FI code that calls for more investigation does the same.
You’ll often see damaged wiring, poor earthing, or old consumer units causing trouble. Sometimes, it’s just missing protective devices – surprisingly common in EICR vs EIC discussions.