7 Wiring Mistakes You’re Making (That We Just Found During a Ringwood EICR)

Our team recently completed a comprehensive EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) on a domestic property in Ringwood, Dorset. The inspection identified several C2 (Potentially Dangerous) defects that required immediate remedial action. A primary concern was the existing 1980s-era consumer unit, which lacked any form of RCD (Residual Current Device) protection, failing to meet BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 standards. The lack of modern surge protection and RCDs on socket circuits poses a significant risk to occupants.

The inspection revealed multiple DIY wiring attempts within the kitchen and garage areas. These included non-compliant cable joins and several sockets spurred from a single ring final circuit leg, creating a high risk of overloading. Inadequate cable sizing was noted for a high-load appliance circuit, which showed signs of thermal damage at the terminations. Such unauthorized alterations are frequent findings for an electrician in Ringwood and often lead to circuit failure or fire hazards.

Testing further identified missing main protective bonding to the incoming water and gas services, a common issue for electricians in Dorset working on older housing stock. This lack of a dedicated earthing path prevents protective devices from disconnecting quickly during a fault. Additionally, the property’s ring circuits failed continuity tests due to loose connections and bridged conductors at several points. These faults compromised the integrity of the entire electrical system.

Remedial works involved a full consumer unit upgrade to a dual-RCD or RCBO-protected board and the removal of all sub-standard DIY extensions. We are also rectifying the earthing issues to ensure full compliance with current building regulations. These updates provide the necessary protection for the homeowners and bring the installation up to current safety specifications. Technical reports and certification are issued upon completion of all remedial works.

Dorset Electrical Solutions provides comprehensive electrical services across Ringwood, Dorset, Hampshire, and Wiltshire. Our team is City & Guilds qualified with over 20 years of experience in domestic and commercial contracting. We are currently scheduling similar remedial projects for residential clients. Photos of the final installation to follow.