What is an EICR?

You cannot see electricity. Cables are usually hidden inside our walls, and consumer units are often hidden in cupboards, so it is not surprising that we forget to check the condition of our electrical installation for damage or wear and tear.

Faulty and old wiring is one of the main causes of electrical fires in the home. You can reduce the risk of a fire by checking the condition of your cables, switches, sockets and other accessories regularly.

How old is my electrical installation?

Clear signs that can help you tell the age of equipment in the electrical installation in your home include:

• Fixed cables coated in black rubber (stopped being used in the 1960s)
• Fixed cables coated in lead or fabric (used before the 1960s)
• A fuse box with a wooden back, cast iron switches, or a mixture of fuse boxes (used before the 1960s)
• Older round pin sockets or light switches, braided flex hanging from ceiling roses, brown (or black) switches mounted in skirting boards