What is a C2 on an EICR?

An Electrical Installation Condition Report records the condition of fixed wiring, including the consumer unit, circuits, sockets, switches and light fittings. The inspector grades observations so the person responsible can understand what needs attention. C2 means the condition is potentially dangerous: it may not be causing danger at the moment of inspection, but it could do so.

The code is attached to a specific observation, not a vague judgement about the whole property. Read the description beside C2. It may identify a circuit, accessory, protective device, earthing concern or another part of the installation. The description and the electrician's recommendation matter more than the code on its own.

Start by checking which observation has the C2 code and whether the report says the circuit should be isolated. If there is heat, burning, visible damage, water near electrics, a smell of burning or a breaker that will not stay on, stop using the affected equipment and call a qualified electrician. Do not keep resetting a breaker to see whether the problem goes away.

If the report does not describe an immediate danger, do not assume the C2 is harmless. Arrange remedial work or the further investigation the report asks for. Keep a copy of the report, the quotation and any completion paperwork. A professional should explain what was found, what will be made safe and what has been tested afterwards.

Never improvise by bridging protection, replacing a fuse with a different rating or opening a live consumer unit. Electrical faults can remain dangerous even when lights and sockets appear to work.

C1 is the urgent category because danger is present. Follow the electrician's immediate safety instructions and keep clear of the affected installation. C2 is different in wording, but it is still a fail: it is not a recommendation to add to a future wish list.

FI means the inspector could not complete the assessment. The report remains unsatisfactory until the issue is investigated. C3 points to an improvement that is advised rather than required. Ask the electrician to separate required work from advisory work so you can make an informed decision.

The person reading the report may not be the person who was present for the inspection. If you manage a property, send the observation to the tenant or managing agent who needs to know, while keeping the original wording intact. Do not paraphrase a safety observation so heavily that its location or urgency is lost. If the wording is unclear, ask the inspector to explain it in writing.

For a rented home, the installation must be inspected and tested by a qualified person at least every five years. The report goes to an existing tenant within 28 days, to a new tenant before they occupy, and to a prospective tenant within 28 days of a request. The council must receive it within seven days of a request.

If an EICR is unsatisfactory because it contains a C1, C2 or FI, remedial or further investigative work must be completed within 28 days, or sooner where the report says so. Written confirmation goes to the tenant and the council within 28 days of completion. Keep the report and confirmation together so the record is clear.

A C2 does not automatically mean a full rewire. The work depends on the observation and the installation. Ask for a written explanation of the defect, the circuit affected, the proposed remedy and the tests that will be completed. If further investigation is required, ask what access is needed and what may change once the cause is known.

If you are unsure whether an observation is C2 or C3, ask the inspector to explain it rather than choosing the cheaper interpretation. A NAPIT registered electrician can inspect electrical work and discuss the appropriate next step. Hem London is NAPIT registered, registration 64777, and fully insured, including public liability.