Does an EICR Check Earthing & Bonding? UK 2025 Electrical Safety Guide

Does an EICR Check Earthing & Bonding? UK 2025 Electrical Safety Guide

🟢 Does an EICR Check Earthing & Bonding? UK 2025 Electrical Safety Guide

If you’ve recently had an EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report), you may have seen terms like “earthing inadequate” or “bonding missing”.

These are some of the most common reasons for EICR failures across UK homes — and one of the areas many homeowners don’t fully understand.

This guide explains what earthing and bonding are, whether an EICR checks them, what happens if they’re missing, and how it affects electrical safety in 2025.

📚 Contents

📌 Quick Answer

Yes — an EICR thoroughly checks earthing and bonding.

These are two of the most important safety features in any electrical system, and any issues will be coded on the report (C2 or C3).

Missing or inadequate bonding is one of the top reasons EICRs fail.

Full code explanation: EICR Codes Explained (C1, C2, C3, FI) .

⚡ What Is Earthing?

simple earthing uk system

Earthing protects you by giving electricity a safe path into the ground if a fault occurs.

It helps to:

  • ensure fuses and RCDs operate in a fault
  • prevent metal appliances becoming live
  • reduce risk of electric shock

Common types of earthing systems in UK homes:

  • TN-C-S (PME) – most common modern supply
  • TN-S – older installations
  • TT – rural / remote areas using earth rods

🔗 What Is Bonding?

What Is Bonding?

Bonding connects key metal services (gas & water pipes) to the earth so they can't become live if a fault occurs.

Bonding is normally found:

  • near the gas meter
  • near the water stopcock
  • in cylinders / boiler cupboards

Without bonding, a metal pipe can become live, creating a severe shock risk.

📋 Does an EICR Check Earthing & Bonding?

Yes — in detail.

An EICR checks:

  • main earthing conductor size
  • connection to the earth terminal
  • earth fault loop impedance (Zs/Ze)
  • RCD operation & disconnection times
  • presence of protective bonding to gas & water
  • condition of bonding clamps & terminations
  • continuity of earth connections

Missing bonding is extremely common in older homes or properties with upgraded boilers / pipework.

To understand everything an EICR checks, see: What’s Included in an EICR? .

❌ Can Poor Earthing or Missing Bonding Fail an EICR?

Yes — almost always.

Common EICR codes:

  • C2: Missing gas bonding
  • C2: Missing water bonding
  • C2: No main earth
  • FI: Unable to confirm earthing type
  • C3: Bonding present but undersized

Missing bonding is one of the most frequent causes of an Unsatisfactory EICR.

For further explanation, see: Why Your EICR Might Fail & How to Fix It .

🏠 Extra Rules for Landlords (2025)

Landlords must ensure:

  • a valid EICR every 5 years
  • adequate earthing system
  • proper bonding to gas and water services
  • repairs completed within 28 days if issues found

For all landlord electrical rules: Landlord EICR Requirements (2025) .

🔗 Related Electrical Guides

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Does an EICR check the main earth?

Yes — this is a core part of the inspection.

Is missing bonding dangerous?

Yes — metal pipes can become live without bonding.

Does adding a new boiler require bonding?

Yes — especially if pipework has been altered.

Can missing bonding fail an EICR?

Almost always — usually coded C2.

Do landlords legally need bonding?

Yes — rental properties must meet BS 7671 safety standards.

Earthing and bonding are essential safety features — and a major part of every EICR. Ensuring these are correct protects your home from shock risks and keeps your installation compliant in 2025.

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