What Does a 5 Year Electrical Test Involve?
What does a 5 year electrical test involve, it is now a legal requirement that you get your property tested every five years. This is to ensure that the electrical system is safe for any tenants who move into your premises, and also to comply with the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector Regulations. The regulation was introduced in 2020 and applies to all tenancies created on or after that date in England.
What does a 5 year electrical test involve?
During an EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) test, an electrician will check the electrical wiring and fixed equipment in your home or business. They will then record the findings on an EICR certificate, which can then be deemed to be satisfactory or unsatisfactory. The report will identify any potential hazards, including electric shock risks or fire hazards, and highlight any issues with your electrical circuits.
As part of this process, the electrician will also carry out dead testing and live testing. This will help them to find out whether any of the wires in your electrical system are not connected properly or if they’re overloaded. The EICR will also check for any signs of corrosion or damage to your cabling and wiring, as well as any signs of deterioration that may not meet the current electrical safety standards.
It is worth pointing out that EICR tests are only carried out on your fixed electrical installations, which include your consumer unit, sockets and switches, lights and light fixtures. Portable appliances like kettles, televisions and laptops aren’t included in this test, but they should be subject to regular PAT (Portable Appliance Testing) testing.