In order to provide a snapshot on its condition a Periodic inspection and test is completed on an existing electrical installations and a judgement is made by the peson conducting the inspection and test as to whether or not the installation is in a satisfactory condition and can be used safely. The results of inspection and test are then recorded on an Elecrical Installation Condition Report (EICR).
Regardles of the age of the installation the inspection and test will compare its condition to the current requirements for safety using the latest version of BS7671 and any deficiencies will be recorded on the EICR and given a classification to denote their level of non-complience.
Examples of classification codes for danger or non-compliance
C1: Dangerous with a risk of injury. For example, bare exposed conductors, badly damaged equipment or accessories, signs of burning / arcing in switchgear and incorrect polarity etc. Anything that is found to be dangerous should be isolated or rectified on discovery.
C2: Potentially dangerous. For example, missing or disconnected earths – including main earth, bonding conductors and CPCs will become dangerous if a fault was to occur within the installation. Incorrect rating of fuses or circuit breakers, measured Zs values exceeding 80% of BS7671 values and also insulation resistance values below 1Mohm etc.
C3: Improvement required. For example, missing warning notices, charts – including circuit layout and descriptions and one that is often confused with a C2 is missing RCDs for additional protection. If the circuit inspects and tests as okay then a missing RCD for additional protection would only be a C2.
FI: Further investigation required is for situations where an inspection has revealed a deficiency that due to the limitations of the extent of the inspection and test it could not be investigated at the time.
If any item does not fall within the classifications C1 or C2 or does not require improvement C3 then there is no need to record it on the report which will be given to the person ordering the work.