Understanding Electrical Inspection and Testing: What Working Electricians Actually Need to Know

 Initial verification applies to new or altered installations and uses the Electrical Installation Certificate to confirm that the design, installation and testing comply with BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 before the system is energised. The tests follow a strict sequence because each stage builds safely on the previous one. 

Periodic inspection, which is what an EICR covers, assesses an existing installation that has already been in service. It reports on the current condition against the regulations but does not provide full design sign-off or follow the same rigid test order. 

In practice, an EICR is not confirming an installation is new and perfect. It is determining whether it is safe for continued use, with greater focus on deterioration, damage and real-world wear. Confusing the two can lead to using the wrong certification and potential liability if issues arise later. This often becomes clear on site when clients expect an EICR to function like a new-build certificate. 

Part 6 requires a structured inspection and testing process. This begins with a thorough visual inspection to identify obvious defects before any testing takes place. 

Electricians must then complete the required tests, such as insulation resistance, earth fault loop impedance and RCD performance, recording results on the appropriate schedules. Observations must be coded correctly and the duty holder informed of any risks in line with EAWR 1989. 

In real terms, signing the certificate is a professional declaration that, within the agreed scope, the installation is safe at the time of inspection. It is not simply a box-ticking exercise. On EICR work, following Part 6 properly ensures the fundamentals are covered and reduces future liability.

Visual inspection is the foundation of any EICR because it identifies issues that testing may miss or that could make testing unsafe. It must be completed to the fullest extent possible before live work begins. 

Common defects identified visually include: 

• Loose or poorly terminated connections 

• Missing blanks in consumer units 

• Damaged or scorched accessories 

• Exposed or deteriorated conductors 

• Inadequate main protective bonding 

• Poor cable support or routing 

In older rental properties, visual checks frequently uncover DIY alterations and damage in damp environments. Skipping or rushing this stage significantly increases the risk of missed hazards and future liability.

Classification codes communicate the level of risk associated with each observation: 

• C1 – Danger present: Immediate risk of injury. Urgent remedial action required (for example exposed live parts). 

• C2 – Potentially dangerous: Requires urgent remedial action to prevent risk developing. 

• C3 – Improvement recommended: Not unsafe but does not meet current best practice. 

• FI – Further investigation required: Unable to fully assess without additional work. 

The key distinction is that a C2 results in an unsatisfactory report, whereas a C3 does not. Misclassifying observations, particularly downgrading C2 items to C3, can affect tenant safety and expose the inspector professionally.

 Formal qualifications such as 2391-52 and the 18th Edition are important, but competence under EAWR 1989 requires demonstrable real-world experience. 

Current industry expectations typically include: 

• Proven on-site inspection experience (often two years or more) 

• Registration with a recognised scheme provider (for example NICEIC or NAPIT) 

• Ongoing CPD to stay current with regulatory changes 

• Ability to interpret and apply BS 7671 in varied site conditions 

Holding certificates alone does not guarantee competence. Depth of practical experience is what enables inspectors to identify subtle defects and defend their reports if challenged.

The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (PRS) Regulations 2020 made five-yearly EICRs mandatory for private rentals, significantly increasing demand. 

The extension to the social rented sector from November 2025, with full coverage expected by mid-2026, is driving a further surge in inspection requirements. Landlords must provide valid reports to tenants, and local authorities can impose fines of up to £40,000 for non-compliance. 

In practice, this has raised expectations around report quality and traceability. Duty holders are more informed, and quick or superficial inspections are increasingly scrutinised. 

Frequent issues include: 

• Inadequate visual inspection 

• Incorrect coding of observations 

• Poor or missing limitation statements 

• Testing against outdated standards 

• Incomplete schedules of test results 

• Rushed inspections due to unrealistic time pressures 

In rental properties, these mistakes carry heightened risk because tenants and landlords rely directly on the report. Poor-quality EICRs are increasingly challenged in disputes and legal settings.

 Limitations define areas that could not be fully inspected or tested. These must be agreed with the duty holder and recorded clearly in Section D of the report. 

Typical limitations include: 

• Locked or inaccessible rooms 

• Obstructed accessories 

• Inaccessible loft or floor voids 

• Circuits that cannot be safely isolated 

The report must state the extent of the inspection, reasons for limitations and who authorised them. Proper documentation demonstrates compliance with BS 7671 Part 6 and helps protect the inspector if issues later emerge in excluded areas. 

Modern additions can place significant demands on legacy installations. Common challenges include: 

• Limited incoming supply capacity (for example EV charging loads) 

• Backfeed risks from PV and battery systems 

• Missing or inadequate surge protection 

• Integration issues with older consumer units 

• More complex RCD and functional testing 

Older properties were rarely designed for these loads, so inspectors must carefully assess compatibility, protection measures and DNO requirements. These installations typically require more time and a broader systems view during EICR work. 

 A proper EICR for a typical three-bedroom rental usually includes: 

• Full visual inspection of all accessible areas 

• Dead testing (including IR and continuity) 

• Live testing (including Zs and RCD performance) 

• Accurate schedules of test results 

• Correct defect coding 

• Clear recommendation for next inspection interval 

In most cases, this takes two to four hours minimum, depending on property age, condition and access. 

Unrealistic expectations, such as one-hour inspections, often lead to missed defects, incomplete testing and poor documentation. In the rental sector, this can result in unsafe properties remaining in service and increased liability for all parties involved.