ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION CONDITION REPORT question

Aug 06, 2026 6 Replies

My daughter's flat has failed an EICR because the wiring to 20 GU10 down lighters, with LED bulbs, is faulty. The single insulation red and black wires are exposed but the outer sheath has not been continued into the bulb holder. Now I know if a three pin plug is wired such that the whole cable is not in the clamp is a failure as live and neutral single insulated conductors are exposed and could be touched but I thought it was alright if there was a secondary safety cover, like a meter box door prevents access to the single insulated meter tails. These exposed single insulated conductors are only accessible if the units are pried from the ceiling·



It's an expensive repair as the GU10 fittings are unable to accept the full flex, so they will all have to be replaced. The chap who carried out the test wants £700.



Where's ADW when I want him ;-)


What were they scored at? C1, C2 or C3?

What was the reason for doing the EICR? Is it say a rental, or up for sale?

Theo

C2>

Potentially either.

That is not sufficient. They must be in an enclosure like these:-

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That sounds expensive. Even assuming replacement fittings are £10 each which seems a typical trade price that is £200 for the fittings so £500 for the work assuming there is sufficient space and spare cable. If there isn't enough cable or space then its a lot more work.

I would ask for an itemised estimate stating how long the work will take, the hourly rate and the cost of parts...

You do understand that you are under no obligation to use the person who carried out the EICR to do the remedial work.

no idea.

Dave

If it is in-accessible I believe it should be C3 but I am not a qualified electrician.

Gone to Norway with the parrots I fear...

I think I would go 'EICR shopping'. Cheaper to get another EICR than spend the 700 quid. If the original was a budget EICR outfit then now you know how they make their money.

All of the recessed light fittings that I removed had nowhere to grip the cable sheath - they were just two brass screw terminals each with a single-insulated wire going into them, much like a light switch. In the EICR they got:

  • 4no downlights not fire rated
  • Non earthed singles in lighting circuit
  • Switch wires no identified

which were fair enough at C3. No mentions of cable restraint.

Since it's all tucked up in the ceiling, I can't see how not having a cable grip is going to be a problem if the fitting is left undisturbed.

Theo

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