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New EICR "unsatisfactory" - complete rewire required?!?

Former Community Member
Former Community Member
The lighting circuit has no CPC (earth), this is not uncommon in older houses. For that reason all light fittings are Class 2 i.e. plastic with no metal, and there is a clause in the tenancy agreement which forbids tampering with the light fittings (this is a house we own and rent out).


Previous EICRs did not even mention the lighting circuit because of the Class 2 fittings. I have just got a new EICR with an observation "lighting circuits have little or no earth" and classification code C1 ("Danger present, risk of injury, immediate remedial action required"). The overall assessment says "Unsatisfactory" with the comment "Needs updating to current regs". This can only be fixed by a complete rewire of the whole lighting circuit.


This is pointless, there are no earth connections in the plastic fittings.


Any thoughts? Many thanks.
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    C1 would only apply if it were possible to touch live conductors.


    C2 would apply if there were any Class 1 fitting in the circuit (switches or lamp fittings) because if the line conductor came into contact with the exposed conductive parts there would be no automatic disconnection of the supply.


    So in this case C3 seems to apply and under BS 7671 18th Edn the installation has been inspected and tested and found to be safe for continued use.


    Another possible non-compliance would be the absence of additional protection (RCD) in the lighting circuit - this became mandatory in the 18th Edn. Given that a tenant may disregard the clause about lamp fittings, if there is no additional protection, a C2 could be justified. I certainly think that it would lie within the reasonable range of opinion.


    As for re-wiring the circuit, it may not be too difficult if (a) the floorboards may be taken up; and (b) the switch drops are under capping or some form of conduit.
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    C1 would only apply if it were possible to touch live conductors.


    C2 would apply if there were any Class 1 fitting in the circuit (switches or lamp fittings) because if the line conductor came into contact with the exposed conductive parts there would be no automatic disconnection of the supply.


    So in this case C3 seems to apply and under BS 7671 18th Edn the installation has been inspected and tested and found to be safe for continued use.


    Another possible non-compliance would be the absence of additional protection (RCD) in the lighting circuit - this became mandatory in the 18th Edn. Given that a tenant may disregard the clause about lamp fittings, if there is no additional protection, a C2 could be justified. I certainly think that it would lie within the reasonable range of opinion.


    As for re-wiring the circuit, it may not be too difficult if (a) the floorboards may be taken up; and (b) the switch drops are under capping or some form of conduit.
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