What Fails an EICR in Cambridge? Common Issues Explained
If you’re booking an EICR in Cambridge, one of the biggest concerns is whether your property will pass or fail.
An EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) is designed to identify safety issues — not to catch you out — but many properties, especially older ones, will have at least some observations.
If you’re working with an experienced electrician Cambridge homeowners trust, you’ll get a clear explanation of any issues and how to resolve them.
What Does It Mean to Fail an EICR?
An EICR is marked as unsatisfactory (fail) if any of the following are found:
- C1 (Danger present) – Immediate risk of injury
- C2 (Potentially dangerous) – Needs urgent attention
- FI (Further investigation required) – Something isn’t right
Even one C2 or FI will result in a fail.
Most Common Reasons Properties Fail an EICR
Here are the issues we regularly find during an electrical inspection Cambridge properties require:
1. No RCD Protection
This is one of the most common failures.
RCDs (Residual Current Devices) protect against electric shock. If circuits — especially those supplying sockets or bathrooms — don’t have RCD protection, this is typically coded as C2.
2. Old or Unsafe Consumer Units
Older fuse boards (especially plastic ones or those with rewireable fuses) often fail due to:
- Lack of modern protection
- No RCBOs or RCDs
- Poor enclosure safety
Upgrading the consumer unit is often recommended to bring the installation up to current standards.
3. No Earthing or Bonding
Proper earthing and bonding are critical for safety.
Common issues include:
- Missing main earth connection
- No bonding to gas or water
- Undersized bonding conductors
These are usually coded as C2 and must be rectified.
4. Damaged or Poor Wiring
We often find:
- Cables joined incorrectly (e.g. taped connections)
- Damaged insulation
- DIY alterations
These can be dangerous and are often coded as C1 or C2 depending on severity.
5. Overloaded Circuits
Older properties may have too many sockets or appliances on a single circuit, leading to overheating risks.
6. No RCD Protection for Bathrooms or Outdoor Circuits
Circuits in higher-risk areas like bathrooms must have proper protection. Lack of this is a common reason for an unsatisfactory report.
7. Faulty Accessories
Things like:
- Broken sockets
- Damaged switches
- Overheating connections
These are simple to fix but still need to be addressed.
What Doesn’t Fail an EICR? (C3 Observations)
Not everything results in a fail.
C3 (Improvement recommended) issues include:
- No surge protection device (SPD)
- Older but still functional consumer units
- Minor labelling issues
These are advisory only and won’t result in an unsatisfactory report.
Can You Still Rent a Property If It Fails?
No — not until the issues are resolved.
If your property receives a landlord electrical certificate marked as unsatisfactory, you must:
- Carry out remedial work within 28 days
- Provide confirmation once completed
How to Avoid Failing an EICR
The best way to avoid issues is to be proactive.
Before booking your EICR Cambridge inspection:
- Check your consumer unit type
- Look for obvious damage to sockets or wiring
- Ensure access to the fuse board is clear
Or simply get advice from a qualified electrician beforehand.
What Happens If Your Property Fails?
Don’t worry — most issues are fixable.
After the inspection, you’ll receive:
- A clear report explaining the issues
- A quote for any remedial work
- Advice on priority and next steps
Working with a trusted NICEIC electrician ensures everything is brought up to standard safely and efficiently.
Book an EICR in Cambridge
If you need a reliable electrical safety check, Titan Electrical Ltd provides:
- Honest, straightforward reports
- Clear pricing for any remedial work
- Fast turnaround across Cambridge and surrounding villages
Get in touch today to book your EICR.
