How Often Should House Electrics Be Tested – Years, Recommended Time frames & Why

We are accredited by NICEIC Commercial Installer NICEIC Domestic Installer
House Electrics Check

A house remains safe and functional if three of its main systems are kept in check; electrical, plumbing, and heating. Defects and damages in either one can cause the property to be declared unsafe and risky.

As is with all things, these systems deteriorate over time and require regular upkeep and maintenance. One way to guarantee their overall good health is through periodic inspections carried out by certified professionals.

In this guide, we will look at how often house electrics should be tested, the recommended time frames, and why it is so important.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD HOUSE ELECTRICS BE TESTED?

Electrical faults can be a serious safety hazard causing injuries, accidents, and in serious cases, electric fires. According to statistics, around 4000 domestic fires were caused by faulty wiring and equipment last year. That is a shocking number and a real cause for concern.

The best way to ensure that the wiring in your house is not faulty or prone to developing faults is to have a reliable electrical contractor regularly test it out.

A thorough inspection will check the condition of all existing electrical installations in your house against the UK safety standard BS 7671 and assess and identify any defective electrical work, shock risks, overloading, and fire hazards, along with highlighting any earthing and bonding issues.

Here is how often you should get your house electrics tested, according to the type of property you own:

  • Domestic electrical inspection and testing

It is recommended in the wiring regulations BS 7671 that a domestic property must be regularly inspected and tested after an electrical installation every 5-10 years, or if you are buying/selling the property.

  • Landlords electrical inspection and testing

A Landlords Safety Certificate, which provides an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) to identify any issues and to make sure the property is safe for use and up to electrical standards and regulations, must be carried out every 5 years or whenever there is a change in occupancy.

  • PAT testing

Portable Appliance Testing tests items that are not part of the fixed wiring, and so do not fall under the electrical testing of the premises, but it is recommended that they are tested between 3-12 months depending on the type and usage of the item.

Other times, apart from the time frames recommended by the UK government, you should get your house electrics tested:

  • After major renovations

Major home renovations have the potential to change the layout of existing electrical installations and its components, which is why it is a good idea to get the house electrics tested after any such changes. These inspections can be especially beneficial if you are looking to sell your house after the renovations.

  • If the house is really old

Another important time to consider getting your house electrics tested is if you are living in a really old house, such as one constructed in the ’40s. Old properties tend to have obsolete wiring and technology making them a hazard if used with modern-day equipment. Routine electrical inspections will ensure that all the installations comply with the current wiring standards and are safe to use.

WHAT DOES IT INVOLVE?

According to the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC), two kinds of electrical installation inspections and testing must be carried out by a professional electrician to ensure everything is working as it should. They are:

  • A Visual Inspection, which is carried out to inspect any visible signs of damage or defect, after which a Visual Inspection Report (VIR) is generated that provides a general summary of the electrical installation’s health by recording all the observations and recommendations.

The electrician is likely to check the fuse board, sockets, lights, plugs, switches, cables and leads, earthing and bonding, visible signs of wear and tear, and burning, as well as the kitchen and bathroom safety.

  • An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is more detailed than a VIR and allows the electrical contractor to identify issues that couldn’t be found in the latter.

It identifies any damage, defect, or deterioration that may turn into a potential hazard, along with recording several observations in line with BS 7671 and providing recommendations for improving the installation.

ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION CONDITION REPORT

The EICR is a detailed check of the electrical installations and wiring in your house, providing a clear picture of the health of the system and how compliant it is with the law.

During a house electrics check, the certified electrician will test the wiring, fuse board, and earth bonding, along with all the nitty-gritty of electrics in all areas of your house using an electrical inspection checklist as a guide.

Electrical inspection checklists help contractors by providing them with instructions to follow during a maintenance check that can be applied to several electrical components.

The checklists must abide by the electrical safety laws laid out by the UK government and follow all the current legal standards.

The lists include different pointers related to each task with a brief explanation of what is required to be done to make it easier for the contractors to follow the SOPs.

For the contractor’s reference, each item on the checklist is also accompanied by a citation from the HSE wiring regulations.

An electrical inspection checklist pertaining to houses have pointers and checks for all areas of the house including the kitchen, dining room, bathrooms, bedrooms, family rooms, hallways and foyers, stairways, closets, laundry areas, basements and attics, attached/detached garages, and the outdoors.

If found with electrical faults and issues, the EICR categorizes your property in one of three classifications, C1, C2, and C3, depending on how satisfactory the inspection results are.

  • Code C1: indicating that danger exists and immediate action is required.
  • Code C2: indicating that, while the observation is not considered to be dangerous at the moment, it could become a real and immediate danger if a fault or other foreseeable event was to occur.
  • Code C3: indicating that, while the observation is not considered to be dangerous at the moment, improvements would contribute greatly to the overall health of the system.

If your house passes the electrical inspection, you will be provided with an EICR Certificate of Safety which states that all your electrical installations are safe and up-to-date.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO GET THE HOUSE ELECTRICS TESTED?

There are many reasons why it is important to get the house electrics tested. Here are the most common ones:

  • Protection against injuries, accidents, and fires

As discussed above, faulty wiring can be a serious hazard causing injuries, accidents, and even fires. If the installations are not at par with safety standards, they can cause loose wires, electric shocks, power surges, overloading, overheating, and short-circuits. A regular electrical inspection will make sure all the different wiring points are checked for such faults and rectifications are made.

  • Avoid equipment malfunctioning

Power surges don’t just cause your electrical equipment to malfunction, but also completely damage them by creating short-circuits. This can result in huge monetary losses in terms of damaged or malfunctioning expensive electrical appliances and machines such as computers, washing machines, and televisions.

  • Save Money

Faulty installations and damaged wiring could equate to a hefty electricity bill, despite you not consuming that much power. Regular electrical inspections can lead to a smaller bill every month by checking all the areas and units to see if any incorrect installations unnecessarily add to the electricity bill.

  • Compliance with the law

It is recommended by the UK wiring regulations that you get your electrical installations tested every couple of years to ensure your house is safe from the risks associated with faulty wiring. Knowing that your property is low-risk also helps make claims with your insurance provider in the event of a mishap. Some insurance providers specifically ask for your home inspection certificate before deciding if you are liable for a claim or not.

HOW CAN FAULTY WIRING AFFECT THE SECURITY OF YOUR HOUSE?

Another major reason to get the house electrics regularly tested is that the security systems are mostly dependent on the electric wiring to work smoothly and uninterruptedly.

Many wired and wireless security systems such as burglar alarms, CCTV, fire alarms, and access control systems work using electricity.

In the event of a power outage, such as due to faulty wiring, the security systems may stop working putting the entire property in a vulnerable state.

Therefore, in addition to the threat of injuries, accidents, and fires, faulty wiring can also result in compromised security making your house an easy target for burglars who are looking for opportunities to break in.

Some landline phones also stop working during a power interruption, which can be bad for security systems relying on them for communicating with monitoring stations.

A security system that isn’t working or communicating with a monitoring station is not a very effective deterrent against intruders and burglars, which is why along with having your electrical installations checked regularly and responsibly, you must also make sure that your security system has some sort of backup power supply that it can rely on, whether it is in the form of additional batteries or a power generator.

WARNING SIGNS OF INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE CHECKS

Apart from the government recommended time frames for an electrical inspection, there are some very obvious tell-tale signs of an overdue maintenance check. They are:

  • Flickering lights

Flickering lights are one of the earliest and most common signs of an inadequate electrical installation indicating issues with either the voltage or wiring that has become loose. If the issue is with a single fixture, it might be best to check the individual light first. However, if the issue is common throughout the property with different light fixtures, it might be good to get the house electrics checked.

  • Circuit breaker tripping

It is okay for circuit breakers to trip when the system is overloaded since that’s what they’re designed to do. The problem arises when it happens too frequently, which is a clear indicator of a serious problem with the electrical wiring such as huge power surges, especially when you connect a high-energy consuming appliance to a socket.

  • Sparks, burning and discolouration

Sparks can be a potentially dangerous problem and an indicator of the outlets short-circuiting with excessive heat being built up inside causing melted insulation and leading to electrical fires. It is crucial to keep an eye out for discolouration, scorch marks, and smoke near the power outlets and also use your sense of smell to sniff out the issue. Odd odours, such as of burning near the sockets, is a sign that fire damage may have already started and is real cause for alarm.

  • Frayed wires and electric shocks

Amateur handymen and rodents are the main causes of frayed or chewed wires, which can be a serious fire hazard and also result in accidents such as electric shocks, that can sometimes cause serious injuries. If you receive an electric shock, even if it’s a small one, upon touching a cord or switch, know that it is time for a proper inspection of the system.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR AN ELECTRICAL INSPECTION?

Complete and thorough electrical inspections take quite a bit of time and effort, causing a little disruption along the way if not prepared for in advance.

Here are a few things that you can do as a homeowner to make the process easier for you and the professionals inspecting your property:

  • Make sure that the electrician has complete access to all the electrical installations such as the lights, sockets, and switches to carry out the inspection smoothly. The inability to access certain rooms and areas might cause delays in the process.
  • Remove all obstructions by clearing out all areas of the house that need to be checked. These include all the rooms, offices, attic, basement, and outdoor area specified in the electrical inspection checklist that the electrician will be referring to.
  • A detailed inspection might need the power to be cut off for a couple of hours, leaving you with zero access to electrical equipment and machinery. Homeowners must prepare for this beforehand and if possible, leave the house for a few hours until the contractors are done with their work.
  • Expect the contractor to find a few faults in your electrical system and be prepared and willing to make amendments to it ASAP.
  • Issues uncovered during the initial phase of the inspection are usually the most expensive, which is why it is good to discuss the budget and expected costs associated with the inspection and subsequent fixes. Later inspections are likely to unearth fewer issues and faults with the system.

WHO SHOULD TEST YOUR HOUSE ELECTRICS?

Electrical testing and maintenance are a vital part of any installation and must be carried out by a reliable electrical contractor.

We, at Calder Electrical Services, are based in Wakefield and cover the whole of Yorkshire and beyond, offering a wide range of services to meet the demands of our clients, including all aspects of domestic, commercial and industrial installations, along with their testing and maintenance.

We have experienced and fully qualified electrical engineers on hand to deliver a professional and high-quality service. We are NICEIC registered following the current wiring regulations and all our work is fully insured.

If you have unplanned issues within your home or business, we can provide a call out service to rectify and solve any problems such as circuits tripping, loss of power, broken items that need repairing, or to check if you feel something is unsafe or a potential hazard.

Our team can generate a Visual Inspection Report (VIR) to identify anything visual that does not comply with the standards or looks unsafe, as well as a full Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) where we will identify and test each circuit to make sure they are not deteriorating and are safe for use within the current standards and regulations set by the BS 7671.

We can also provide PAT testing of appliances to make sure that any items such as kettles, computers, and microwaves are safe for use in the home and workplace.

Get in touch with us for our professional installation and maintenance services to keep your home and business secure from the risks of faulty electrical installations.

Image by Dibyendu Joardar from Pixabay

A house remains safe and functional if three of its main systems are kept in check; electrical, plumbing, and heating. Defects and damages in either one can cause the property to be declared unsafe and risky.

As is with all things, these systems deteriorate over time and require regular upkeep and maintenance. One way to guarantee their overall good health is through periodic inspections carried out by certified professionals.

In this guide, we will look at how often house electrics should be tested, the recommended time frames, and why it is so important.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD HOUSE ELECTRICS BE TESTED?

Electrical faults can be a serious safety hazard causing injuries, accidents, and in serious cases, electric fires. According to statistics, around 4000 domestic fires were caused by faulty wiring and equipment last year. That is a shocking number and a real cause for concern.

The best way to ensure that the wiring in your house is not faulty or prone to developing faults is to have a reliable electrical contractor regularly test it out.

A thorough inspection will check the condition of all existing electrical installations in your house against the UK safety standard BS 7671 and assess and identify any defective electrical work, shock risks, overloading, and fire hazards, along with highlighting any earthing and bonding issues.

Here is how often you should get your house electrics tested, according to the type of property you own:

  • Domestic electrical inspection and testing

It is recommended in the wiring regulations BS 7671 that a domestic property must be regularly inspected and tested after an electrical installation every 5-10 years, or if you are buying/selling the property.

  • Landlords electrical inspection and testing

A Landlords Safety Certificate, which provides an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) to identify any issues and to make sure the property is safe for use and up to electrical standards and regulations, must be carried out every 5 years or whenever there is a change in occupancy.

  • PAT testing

Portable Appliance Testing tests items that are not part of the fixed wiring, and so do not fall under the electrical testing of the premises, but it is recommended that they are tested between 3-12 months depending on the type and usage of the item.

Other times, apart from the time frames recommended by the UK government, you should get your house electrics tested:

  • After major renovations

Major home renovations have the potential to change the layout of existing electrical installations and its components, which is why it is a good idea to get the house electrics tested after any such changes. These inspections can be especially beneficial if you are looking to sell your house after the renovations.

  • If the house is really old

Another important time to consider getting your house electrics tested is if you are living in a really old house, such as one constructed in the ’40s. Old properties tend to have obsolete wiring and technology making them a hazard if used with modern-day equipment. Routine electrical inspections will ensure that all the installations comply with the current wiring standards and are safe to use.

WHAT DOES IT INVOLVE?

According to the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC), two kinds of electrical installation inspections and testing must be carried out by a professional electrician to ensure everything is working as it should. They are:

  • A Visual Inspection, which is carried out to inspect any visible signs of damage or defect, after which a Visual Inspection Report (VIR) is generated that provides a general summary of the electrical installation’s health by recording all the observations and recommendations.

The electrician is likely to check the fuse board, sockets, lights, plugs, switches, cables and leads, earthing and bonding, visible signs of wear and tear, and burning, as well as the kitchen and bathroom safety.

  • An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is more detailed than a VIR and allows the electrical contractor to identify issues that couldn’t be found in the latter.

It identifies any damage, defect, or deterioration that may turn into a potential hazard, along with recording several observations in line with BS 7671 and providing recommendations for improving the installation.

ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION CONDITION REPORT

The EICR is a detailed check of the electrical installations and wiring in your house, providing a clear picture of the health of the system and how compliant it is with the law.

During a house electrics check, the certified electrician will test the wiring, fuse board, and earth bonding, along with all the nitty-gritty of electrics in all areas of your house using an electrical inspection checklist as a guide.

Electrical inspection checklists help contractors by providing them with instructions to follow during a maintenance check that can be applied to several electrical components.

The checklists must abide by the electrical safety laws laid out by the UK government and follow all the current legal standards.

The lists include different pointers related to each task with a brief explanation of what is required to be done to make it easier for the contractors to follow the SOPs.

For the contractor’s reference, each item on the checklist is also accompanied by a citation from the HSE wiring regulations.

An electrical inspection checklist pertaining to houses have pointers and checks for all areas of the house including the kitchen, dining room, bathrooms, bedrooms, family rooms, hallways and foyers, stairways, closets, laundry areas, basements and attics, attached/detached garages, and the outdoors.

If found with electrical faults and issues, the EICR categorizes your property in one of three classifications, C1, C2, and C3, depending on how satisfactory the inspection results are.

  • Code C1: indicating that danger exists and immediate action is required.
  • Code C2: indicating that, while the observation is not considered to be dangerous at the moment, it could become a real and immediate danger if a fault or other foreseeable event was to occur.
  • Code C3: indicating that, while the observation is not considered to be dangerous at the moment, improvements would contribute greatly to the overall health of the system.

If your house passes the electrical inspection, you will be provided with an EICR Certificate of Safety which states that all your electrical installations are safe and up-to-date.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO GET THE HOUSE ELECTRICS TESTED?

There are many reasons why it is important to get the house electrics tested. Here are the most common ones:

  • Protection against injuries, accidents, and fires

As discussed above, faulty wiring can be a serious hazard causing injuries, accidents, and even fires. If the installations are not at par with safety standards, they can cause loose wires, electric shocks, power surges, overloading, overheating, and short-circuits. A regular electrical inspection will make sure all the different wiring points are checked for such faults and rectifications are made.

  • Avoid equipment malfunctioning

Power surges don’t just cause your electrical equipment to malfunction, but also completely damage them by creating short-circuits. This can result in huge monetary losses in terms of damaged or malfunctioning expensive electrical appliances and machines such as computers, washing machines, and televisions.

  • Save Money

Faulty installations and damaged wiring could equate to a hefty electricity bill, despite you not consuming that much power. Regular electrical inspections can lead to a smaller bill every month by checking all the areas and units to see if any incorrect installations unnecessarily add to the electricity bill.

  • Compliance with the law

It is recommended by the UK wiring regulations that you get your electrical installations tested every couple of years to ensure your house is safe from the risks associated with faulty wiring. Knowing that your property is low-risk also helps make claims with your insurance provider in the event of a mishap. Some insurance providers specifically ask for your home inspection certificate before deciding if you are liable for a claim or not.

HOW CAN FAULTY WIRING AFFECT THE SECURITY OF YOUR HOUSE?

Another major reason to get the house electrics regularly tested is that the security systems are mostly dependent on the electric wiring to work smoothly and uninterruptedly.

Many wired and wireless security systems such as burglar alarms, CCTV, fire alarms, and access control systems work using electricity.

In the event of a power outage, such as due to faulty wiring, the security systems may stop working putting the entire property in a vulnerable state.

Therefore, in addition to the threat of injuries, accidents, and fires, faulty wiring can also result in compromised security making your house an easy target for burglars who are looking for opportunities to break in.

Some landline phones also stop working during a power interruption, which can be bad for security systems relying on them for communicating with monitoring stations.

A security system that isn’t working or communicating with a monitoring station is not a very effective deterrent against intruders and burglars, which is why along with having your electrical installations checked regularly and responsibly, you must also make sure that your security system has some sort of backup power supply that it can rely on, whether it is in the form of additional batteries or a power generator.

WARNING SIGNS OF INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE CHECKS

Apart from the government recommended time frames for an electrical inspection, there are some very obvious tell-tale signs of an overdue maintenance check. They are:

  • Flickering lights

Flickering lights are one of the earliest and most common signs of an inadequate electrical installation indicating issues with either the voltage or wiring that has become loose. If the issue is with a single fixture, it might be best to check the individual light first. However, if the issue is common throughout the property with different light fixtures, it might be good to get the house electrics checked.

  • Circuit breaker tripping

It is okay for circuit breakers to trip when the system is overloaded since that’s what they’re designed to do. The problem arises when it happens too frequently, which is a clear indicator of a serious problem with the electrical wiring such as huge power surges, especially when you connect a high-energy consuming appliance to a socket.

  • Sparks, burning and discolouration

Sparks can be a potentially dangerous problem and an indicator of the outlets short-circuiting with excessive heat being built up inside causing melted insulation and leading to electrical fires. It is crucial to keep an eye out for discolouration, scorch marks, and smoke near the power outlets and also use your sense of smell to sniff out the issue. Odd odours, such as of burning near the sockets, is a sign that fire damage may have already started and is real cause for alarm.

  • Frayed wires and electric shocks

Amateur handymen and rodents are the main causes of frayed or chewed wires, which can be a serious fire hazard and also result in accidents such as electric shocks, that can sometimes cause serious injuries. If you receive an electric shock, even if it’s a small one, upon touching a cord or switch, know that it is time for a proper inspection of the system.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR AN ELECTRICAL INSPECTION?

Complete and thorough electrical inspections take quite a bit of time and effort, causing a little disruption along the way if not prepared for in advance.

Here are a few things that you can do as a homeowner to make the process easier for you and the professionals inspecting your property:

  • Make sure that the electrician has complete access to all the electrical installations such as the lights, sockets, and switches to carry out the inspection smoothly. The inability to access certain rooms and areas might cause delays in the process.
  • Remove all obstructions by clearing out all areas of the house that need to be checked. These include all the rooms, offices, attic, basement, and outdoor area specified in the electrical inspection checklist that the electrician will be referring to.
  • A detailed inspection might need the power to be cut off for a couple of hours, leaving you with zero access to electrical equipment and machinery. Homeowners must prepare for this beforehand and if possible, leave the house for a few hours until the contractors are done with their work.
  • Expect the contractor to find a few faults in your electrical system and be prepared and willing to make amendments to it ASAP.
  • Issues uncovered during the initial phase of the inspection are usually the most expensive, which is why it is good to discuss the budget and expected costs associated with the inspection and subsequent fixes. Later inspections are likely to unearth fewer issues and faults with the system.

WHO SHOULD TEST YOUR HOUSE ELECTRICS?

Electrical testing and maintenance are a vital part of any installation and must be carried out by a reliable electrical contractor.

We, at Calder Electrical Services, are based in Wakefield and cover the whole of Yorkshire and beyond, offering a wide range of services to meet the demands of our clients, including all aspects of domestic, commercial and industrial installations, along with their testing and maintenance.

We have experienced and fully qualified electrical engineers on hand to deliver a professional and high-quality service. We are NICEIC registered following the current wiring regulations and all our work is fully insured.

If you have unplanned issues within your home or business, we can provide a call out service to rectify and solve any problems such as circuits tripping, loss of power, broken items that need repairing, or to check if you feel something is unsafe or a potential hazard.

Our team can generate a Visual Inspection Report (VIR) to identify anything visual that does not comply with the standards or looks unsafe, as well as a full Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) where we will identify and test each circuit to make sure they are not deteriorating and are safe for use within the current standards and regulations set by the BS 7671.

We can also provide PAT testing of appliances to make sure that any items such as kettles, computers, and microwaves are safe for use in the home and workplace.

Get in touch with us for our professional installation and maintenance services to keep your home and business secure from the risks of faulty electrical installations.

Image by Dibyendu Joardar from Pixabay