TEST AND COMMISSIONING 11
When carrying out the design of an electrical
Periodic Inspection and Testin~
General Requirements
The regular inspection and testing of
electrical installations is necessary because
over a period of time the condition of all
installations will deteriorate to some extent.
This may be due to normal wear and tear,
accidental damage, corrosion or other
effects due to environmental influences,
normal ageing or deterioration due to
.. excessive electrical loading.
requirel)1ents for periodic inspection and
testing are given in 887671 Chapter 73.
The Electricity at Work Regulations (1989)
states that:
As may be necessary to prevent danger,
all systems shall be maintained so as to
prevent, as far as. is reasonably
practicable, such danger.
This means that all electrical iQstallations
must be maintained in a safe condition and
regular inspection and testing . ~periodic
inspection) is an essential part of any such
preventative maintenance programme. In
addition to statutory requirements other
bodies such as licensing authorities,
insurance companies, mortgage lenders etc
may also require periodic inspection and
testing to be carried out on a regular basis.
Other reasons for carrying out periodic
inspection and testing are:
a) To confirm compliance with 8S7671.
b) On a change of ownership of the
premises.
c) On a change of use of the premises.
d) On a change of tenancy of the premises.
e) On completion of alterations or additions
to the original installation.
f) Following any significant increase in the
electrical loading of the installation.
g) Where there is reason to believe that
damage may have been caused to the
installation.
In the case of an installation which is under
constant supervision whilst in normal use,
such as a factory or other industrial
premises, periodic inspection and testing
may be replaced by a system of continuous
monitoring and maintenance of the
installation providing that adequate records
of such maintenance are kept.
installation and particularly when specifying
the type of equipment to be installed, the
designer should take into account the likely
quality of the maintenance programme and
the periods between periodic inspection and
testing to be specified on the Electrical
Installation Certificate.
{~
80th Section 6 of the Health and Safety at
Work Act and the Construction (Design and
The Management) Regulations. require
information on the requirements for routine
checks and periodic inspections to be
provided. The advise of the Health and
Safety Executive in their Memorandum of
Guidance on the Electricity at Work
Regulations indicates that practical
experience of an installation's use may
indicate a need for an adjustment to the
frequency of checks and inspections Le.
more often or less frequent depending on
the likely deterioration of the installation
during its normal use. This would be a
matter of judgement for the duty holder.
Routine Checks
Electrical installations should not be left
without attention for long periods of time
such as those sometimes recommended
between periodic inspection and testing. In
domestic premises it is likely that the
occupier will soon notice any damage or
breakages to ~Iectrical equipment and will
take steps to have repairs carried out. In
commercial or industrial installations a
suitable reporting system should be
available for users of the installation to
report any potential danger from
deteriorating or damaged equipment.
In addition to this a system of routine checks
should be set up to take place between
formal periodic inspections. The frequency
of these checks will depend entirely on the
nature of the premises and the usage of the
installation. Routine checks are likely to
include activities such as those listed in
Table 1 : overleaf.
 Table 1
Activity Check
Defect Check that all reported
reports defects have been rectified
and that the installation IS
safe.
Inspection Look for:
Breakages.
Wear or deterioration.
Signs of Qverheating.
Missing parts
(covers/screws ).
Switchgear still accessibie.
Enclosure doors secure.
Labels still adequate
(readable).
Loose fixings.
Operation Check operation of :
Switchgear (where
reasonable).
Equipment (switch off and
on).
RCD (usinq test button).
The recommended period between both
routine checks and formal inspections are
given in Table 2 taken from lEE Guidance
Note 3. The requirements for such
inspections are stated in 8S7671 Chapter
73 and specify that all inspections should
provide careful scrutiny of the installation
without dismantling. or with only partial
dismantling where absolutely necessary. It is
considered that the unnecessary dismantling
of equipment or disconnection of cables
could produce a risk of introducing faults
that were not there in the first place.
4. The identification of any defects in the
installation or non-conformity with the
current edition of the regulations that
may cause danger.
In summary, the inspection should ensure
that:
a) The installation is safe.
b) The installation has not been damaged.
c) The installation has not deteriorated so
as to impair safety.
d) Any items that no longer comply with
the regulations or may cause danger
are identified.
In practical terms the inspector is carrying
out a general inspection to ensure that the
installation is safe. However, the inspector is
required to record and make
recommendations with respect to any items
which no longer comply with the current
edition of the regulations.
As with all inspections the person carrying
out the work must be competent and have
sufficient knowledge and experience of the
type of installation to be inspected and
tested. Enquiries should be made to the
person responsible for the installation with
regard to the provision of charts and/or
diagrams to indicate the type of circuits,
means of isolation and switching and types
and ratings of protective devices including a
written record of all previous inspection and
test results.

The frequency of periodic inspection and

testing should aim to provide as far as
reasonably possible the following:
1. The safety of persons and livestock
against the effects of electric shock or
burns.
2. Protection against damage to property
by fire or heat arising from an
installation defect
3. Confirmation that the installation has
not been damaged and has not
deteriorated to the extent that it may
impair safety.
 Recommended periods between routine Periodic Inspection (general
checks and inspections of electrical requirements)
installations
In old installations where information such
as drawings, distribution board schedules,
Frequency of Testing charts etc. are not available, then some
All installations should be regularly exploratory work may be necessary to
inspected and tested. A list of the maximum enable inspection and testing to be carried
times between inspections is as follows: out safely and without damage to existing
equipment. A survey should be carried out
to identify all items of switch gear and control
Domestic 10 years gear and their associated circuits.
If change of occupancy
Commercial 5 years
During the survey a note should be made of
If change of occupancy
Educational premises 5 years any known changes in either the structure of
Industrial 3 years the building, the environmental conditions or
Hospitals 5 years of any alterations or additions to the
Residential accommodation 1 year installation, which may affect the suitability
or at change of occupancy
Offices
of the wiring or the method of installation.
5 years
Shops 5 years
Laboratories 5 years A careful check should be made of the type
Cinemas 3 years of equipment on site so that where required
Churches 5 years electronic or other equipment that may be
Leisure complexes "3 years damaged by high-test voltages can be either
Places of public entertainment . 3 years
Restaurants 5 years disconnected or short-circuited to prevent
Hotels 5 years damage. If computer equipment is to be
Theatres 3 years disconnected for the purpose of testing then
Public houses 5 years two important issues need to be considered.
Village halls/communitycentres 5 years
Agricultural/horticultural' 3 years
Caravans a) The user of the equipment must be
3 years
informed in order that data within the
Caravan parks 1 year
Highway power supplies 6 years computer can be backed up and stored
Marinas 1 years on disc if necessary.
Fish farms 1 year
Swimming pools 1 year
b) Many commercial computer installations
Emergency Lighting 3 years
Fire Alarms 1 year have an emergency back-up electrical
Launderettes 1 year supply that will automatically energise if
Petrol filling stations 1 year the mains supply is disconnected. This
Construction sites 3 months means that circuits that you assume are
isolated may well be kept live from a
different source of supply.
References
(1) The Electricity Supply Regulations If the inspection and testing cannot be
(1988). carried out- safely without the use of
(2) The Electricity at Work Regulations. drawings, diagrams or schedules ete then
(3) BS5266 Pt. 1 Code of Practice for the person ordering the work should be
emergency lighting systems (other than informed.
cinemas).
(4) Other intervals are recommended for Scope
testing batteries and generators. The requirements of 8S7671 for Periodic
(5) SS 5839 Pt.1 Code of Practice for the Inspection and Testing are for a thorough
design, installation and servicing of fire INSPECTION of the installation
alarm systems. supplemented by TESTING where
(6) Local Authority conditions of licence. necessary. For safety reasons a visual
(7) SI 1995 No 1129 (clause 27) The inspection must be carried out before
Cinematography (Safety) Regulations.
opening any enclosures, removing covers or
carrying out any tests.
To comply with the Electricity at Work
Regulations (1989) the inspection should be
carried out wherever possible with the
supply de-energised. A thorough visual
inspection should be carried out of all
electrical equipment which is not concealed
and where damage or deterioration has
occurred this must be recorded on the
inspection schedule. The inspection should
include a check on the condition of all
equipment and materials used in the
installation with regard to the following:
1. Safety
2. Damage
3. External influences
4. Wear and tear
5. Overload
6. Suitability
7. Corrosion
8. Age
9. Correct operation
Detailed Inspection Requirements
a) Anticipation of Danger
As stated previously, when carrying out the
inspection the opportunity should be taken
to identify any equipment that may be
damaged if subjected to high test voltages.
As well as computer equipment this may
include safety systems such as fire or
intruder alarms that could well include
electronic components susceptible to test
voltages.
b) Joints and Connections
It may be impossible to inspect every joint
and termination in an electrical installation
therefore where necessary a sample
inspection should be made. Providing the
switchgear and distribution boards are
accessible as required by the regulations
then, a full inspection of all conductor
terminations should be carried out and any
signs of overheating' or loose connections
should be investigated and included in the
report. In the case of lighting points and
socket outlets then a suitable sample should
be inspected in the same way.
c) Conductors
The means of identification of every
conductor including protective conductors
should be checked and any damage or
deterioration to the conductors, their
insulation, protective sheathing or armour
should be recorded.
This inspection should include each
conductor at every distribution board within
the installation and a suitable sarpple of
lighting points, switching points and socket
outlets.
d) Flexible Cables and Cords
Where flexible cables or cords form part of
the fixed installation the inspection should
include:
examination of the cable or cord for
damage or deterioration
examination of the terminations and
anchor points for any defects
checking the correctness of the
installation with regard to additional
mechanical protection or the application
of heat resistant sleeving where
necessary.
e) Switches
lEE Guidance Notes recommend that a
random sample of at least 10 per caot of all
switching devices is given a thorough
internal visual inspection to assess their
electrical and mechanical condition. Should
the inspection reveal excessive wear and
tear or signs of damage due to arcing or
overheating then unless it is obvious that the
problem is associated with that particular
switch the inspection should be extended to
include ail remaining switches associated
with the installation.
f) Protection againstThermal Effects
Although sometimes difficult due to the
structure of the building, the presence of fire
barriers and seals should be checked
wherever reasonably practicable.
g) Protection against Direct and Indirect
Contact
Separate Extra Low Voltage (SELV) is
commonly used as a means of protection
against both direct and indirect contact.
When inspecting this type of system the
points to be checked include, the use of a
safety isolating transformer, the need to
keep the primary and secondary circuits
separate and the segregation of exposed
conductive parts of the SELV system from
any connection with the earthing of the
primary circuit or from any other connection
with earth.
h) Protection against Direct Contact
Inspection of the installation should confirm
that all the requirements of the regulations
have been met with regard to protection
against direct contact with live conductors.
This means checking to ensure there has
.been no damage or deterioration of any of
the insulation within the installation, no
removal of barriers or obstacles and no
alterations to enclosures that may allow
access to live conductors.
NB. It should be noted that an RCD must
not be used as the sole means of
protection against direct contact with live
parts.
i) Protection against IndirecfContact
The method used for protection against
indirect contact must be established and
recorded on the Inspection Schedule. Where
earthed equipotential bonding and automatic
disconnection of the supply is used a check
on the condition of the main equipotential
bonding conductor and the satisfactory
connection of all other protective conductors
with earth is essential.
j) Protective Devices
A check must be made that each circuit is
adequately protected with the correct type,
size and rating of fuse or circuit breaker. A
check should also be made that each
protective device is suitable for the type of
circuit it is protecting and the earthing
system employed. e.g. Will the protective
device operate within the disconnection time
allowed by the regulations and is the rating
of the protective device suitable for the
maximum prospective short circuit current
likely to flow under fault conditions?
k) Enclosures and MechanicaJ Protectio
The enclosures of all electrical equipment
and accessories should be inspected to
ensure that they provide protection not less
than IP2X or IPXXB and where horizontal
top surfaces are readily accessible they
should have a degree of protection of' at
least IP4X. IP2X represents the average
finger of 12 mm diameter and 80mm in
length and can be tested by a metal finger of
these dimensions. IP4X provides protection
against entry by strips greater than 1.0 mm
or solid objects exceeding 1.0 mm in
diameter.
I) Marking and Labelling
Labels should be applied adjacent to every
fuse or circuit breaker indicating the size and
type of fuse or the nominal current rating of
the circuit breaker and details of the circuit
they protect.
Other notices and labels required by. the
regulations are:
i) At the origin of every installation.
IMPORTANT
This installation should be periodically
inspected and tested and a report on its
condition obtained as prescribed in
B57671 (formally the lEE Wiring
Regulations for Electrical Installations)
published by the Institution of Electrical
Engineers.
Date of last inspection:
.. .. .. . .. .. . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. ..
Recommended date of next inspection
....
ii) Where different voltages are present.
in equipment or enclosures within which
a voltage exceeding 250 volts exists but
where such a voltage would not be
expected.
terminals between which a voltage
exceeding 250 volts exists, which
although contained in separate
enclosures are within arms reach of the
same person.
The means of access to all live parts of
switchgear or other live parts where
different
nominal voltages exists.
iii) Earthing and Bonding Connections
A label with the words shown below shall be
permanently fixed in a visible position at or
near thefollowinq points.
Safety Electrical Connection -
Do Not Remove
 normal working hours in order to keep
The point of connection of every disruption to a minimum.
earthing conductor to an earth electrode.
The point of connection of every Sequence of Tests
bonding conductor to an extraneous Because it may not be possible to
conductive part. disconnect the installation under test from
The main earth terminal of the the supply, the recommended sequence of
installation where separate from the carrying out periodic tests is different from
main switchgear. the sequence of tests for a new installation
and is given below:
iv) Residual Current Devices
Where RCDs are fitted within an installation a)Continuity of all protective conductors
a suitable permanent durable notice marked (including equipotential bonding
in legible type no smaller than the example conductors and continuity of ring circuit
shown in BS767:1 shall be permanently fixed conductors where required).
in a prominent position at or near the main b) Polarity.
distribution board. The notice shall contain c) Earth-fault loop impedance.
the following words: d) Insulation resistance
e) Operation of devices for isolation and
This installation, or part of it, is switching.
protected by a. device which f) Operation of residual current devices.
automatically switches off the supply if g) Operation of circuit breakers.
an earth fault develops. Test quarterly
by pressing the button mar!<ed 'T' or Detailed Test Procedures
'Test'. The device should switch off the i) Continuity of Protective Conductors and
supply and should then be switched Equipotential Bonding Conductors.
on to restore the supply. If the device Where the installation can be safely isolated
does not switch off the supply when from the supply then the circuit protective
the button is pressed, seek expert conductors and equipotential bonding
advise. conductors can be disconnected from the
main earthing terminal in order to verify their
v) Caravan InstaJlations continuity. Where the installation cannot be
All touring (mobile) caravans shall have a isolated from the supply the circuit protective
notice fixed near the main switch giving conductors and the equipotential bonding
instructions on the connection and conductors must not be disconnected from
disconnection of the caravan installation to the main earthing terminal as under fault
the electrioity supply. Details of the wording conditions extraneous metalwork could
. required on the notice is given in full in become live. Under these circumstances a
BS7671. combination of inspection, continuity testing
and earth loop impedance testing should
Periodic Testing establish the integrity of the circuit protective
Periodic testing is supplementary to periodic conductors.
inspection and the same level of testing as
for a new installation is not necessarily When testing the effectiveness of the main
required. bonding conductors or supplementary
When the building being tested is bonds, the resistance value between any
unoccupied, isolation of the supply for service pipe or extraneous metalwork and
testing purposes will ~not cause a problem the main earthing terminal should not
but where the building is occupied then exceed 0.05 ohms.
testing should be carried out to cause as ii) Polarity
little inconvenience as possible to the user. Polarity tests should be carried out to check
Where isolation of the supply is necessary that:
then the disconnection should take place for Polarity is correct at the intake position
as short a time as possible and by and the consumer unit or distribution
arrangement with the occupier. It may be board.
necessary to compJete the tests out of
 Single pole switches or control devices
are connected in the phase conductor
only.
Socket outlets and other accessories
are connected correctly.
Centre contact bayonet and Edison
Screw type lamp holders have their
outer or screwed contact connected to
the neutral conductor.
All multi-pole devices are correctly
installed.
Where it is known that no alterations or
.. additions have b~en made to the installation
since its last inspection and test, then the
number of items tested can be reduced by
sampling. It is recommended that at least
ten per cent of all switches and control
devices should be tested together with any
centre contact lamp holders and 100 per
cent of socket outlets. However if any cases
of incorrect polarity are found then a full test
should be made of all accessories in that
part of the installation and the sample of the
remaining should be increased to"25%.
jji) Earth-fault loop impedance
Earth-fault loop impedance Tests should be
carried out at :
The origin of each installation and at
each distribution board.
All socket outlets.
At the furthest point of each radial
circuit.
Results obtained should be compared with
the values documented during previous
.tests and where an increase in values has
occurred these must be investigated.
IV) Insulation resistance
Insulation Resistance tests can only be
carried out where it is possible to safely
isolate the supply. All electronic equipment
susceptible to damage should be
disconnected or alternatively the insulation
resistance test should be made between
phase and neutral conductors connected
together and earth. Where practicable the
tests should be carried out on the whole of
the installation with all switches closed and
all. fuse links in place. Where this is not
possible then the installation may be
subdivided by testing each separate
distribution board one at a time.
BS7671 Table 71A states a minimum
acceptable resistance value of 0.5 Megohm.
However if the measured value is less than
2 Megohm then further investigation is
required to determine the cause of the Iow
reading.
Where individual items of equipment are
disconnected for these tests and the
equipment has exposed conductive parts
then the insulation resistance of each item of
equipment should be checked. In the
absence of any other requirements the
minimum value of insulation resistance
between live components and the exposed
metal frame of the equipment should be not
less than 0.5 Megohm.
v) MainSwitches and Isolators
All main switches and isolators should be
inspected for correct operation and clear
labelling and that access to them has not
been obstructed. Where the operation of the
contacts of such devices are not visible it
may be necessary to connect a test lamp
between each phase and the neutral on the
load side of the device to ensure that all
supply conductors have been broken.
iv) Operation of Residual Current Devices
RCDs should be tested for correct operation
by the use of an RCD tester to ensure they
trip out in the time required by BS7671 as
well as by use of the integral test button. A
check should also be made that the tripping
current for the protection of a socket outlet
to be used for equipment outdoors should
not exceed 30 mA.
v) Operation of Circuit Breakers
All circuit breakers should be inspected for
visible signs of damage or damage caused
by overheating. Where isolation of the
supply to individual sub-circuits will not
cause inconvenience, each circuit breaker
should be manually operated to ensure that
the device opens and closes correctly.
Periodic Inspection Report
BS7671 requires that the results of any
periodic inspection and test should be
recorded on a Periodic Inspection and Test
Report of the type illustrated overleaf.
The report should include the following:
a description of the extent of the
inspection and tests and what parts of
the installation were covered.
any limitations (e.g. portable appliances
not covered).
 details of any damage, deterioration or
dangerous conditions which were found.
any non compliance with 887671
schedule of test results.
If any items are found which may cause
immediate danger these should be rectified
immediately. If this is not possible then they
must be reported to a responsible person
without delay.
Summary of Periodic Testing
T e of Test Recommendations
When inspecting older installations which,
may have been installed in accordance with
a previous edition of the Wiring Regulations,
then providing that all items which do not
conform to the present edition of B87671
are reported, the installation may still be
acceptable providing that no risk of shock,
fire or burns exists.
',.'

Continuity Tests to be carried out between:

all main bonding connections
all supplementary bonding connections

Note! When an electrical installation cannot be isolated,

protective conductors including bonding conductors must not
be disconnected.

Polarity Tests to be carried out at :

origin of installation
all socket outlets
10% of controJ devices (including switches)
10% of centre contact lampholders

Note! If incorrect polarity is found then a full test should be

made on that part of the installation and testing on the
remainder increased to 25%. If further faults are found the
complete installation must be tested.

Earth-fault loop impedance Tests to be carried out at :

origin of the installation
each distribution board
each socket outlet
extremity of everY radial circuit

Insulation resistance If this test is to be carried out then test:

the whole installation with all protective devices in place
and all switches closed
where electronic devices are present, the test should be
carried out between phase and neutral conductors
connected toqether and earth.

Functional Activities to be carried out:

all isoiationand switching devices to be operated
all labels to be checked
all interlocking mechanisms to be verified
~

all RCDs to be checked both by test instrument and by I

!

test button
all manuaHy operated circuit breakers to be operated to
1- verify they open and close correctly
 Periodic Inspection Report
Details of the Ciient

Name. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" ,,.

Address: , """""""""""'" .......

I.~
Purpose of Report: """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""'"

Details of the Installation

Occupier: "';""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" .........

Installation address (if different from above) : ...,.. ...........

. ' , "'..." """""""""""" ... , ,.....

Description of Premises: Domestic 0 Commercial 0 Industrial 0 Other' 0

Estimatedageof theinstallation: Years. Evidenceof alterationsor additions: Yes/No
Date of last inspection: """"""""""""""'" Records available: Yes/No

Extent & Limitations of the Inspection

Extent of the installation covered by this ,report: " """"""'" ""'" ....

.. . .. .. .. .. . . .. . .. . .. . .. .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. .. . .. . .. . .. . .. .. .. . .. .. . . . .. . . . .. . .. .. . . .. . . . .. . .. .. .. .. . .. . .. .. .. . .. .. . . . . . .. . .. .. . . .. . .. .. . .. .. .. . ..

Limitations. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""'" """"""""""""""""""""'" ........

""""" , """""""""".." "'" """""""""""""" ............

This inspection has been carried out in accordance with BS7671 (I.E.E Wiring Regulations). Cables concealed
within trunking and conduit or cables concealed under floors. buried underground. installed in roof spaces or
generally hidden within the fabric of the building have not been inspected.

Next Inspection
I/We recommend that this installation should be further inspected and tested after an interval of not more than
Months/years. providing that any observations requiring urgent attention are attended to
without delay.

Declaration

Inspected & tested by

Name: """"""""""""""""""""""""'" Signature. .., """"'" .........

For and on behalf of : ;........... Position: ,............................................

Address. ... ... ... ... ..,......

""""""""""""""""""""""""""""'" ...
. .. . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . .. .. . .. ... Date. """"""""' ,.............
ISupply Characteristics and Earthing Arrangement
Protective
I
Earthing Numberand Typeof INatureof Supply Device Details
Arrangements LiveConductors
a.c 1-phase-2 wire 0
TN-C D Nominal voltage: V Type: ..........
...................
1-phase-3 wire 0 Nominal frequency: Hz .....
TN-S D
2-phase-3 wire 0 Prospective fault Nominal current
Current: kA rating-
TN-C-S D ,

3-phase-3 wire 0 External loop A

TT D 3-phase-4 wire 0 Impedance: ohms
0 .
Alternative D d.c 2-pole
(details to be given on 3-pole D
attached schedules). 1-
Particulars of the Installation
Means of Earthing Details of the installation earth electrode
Suppliersfacility
Earth electrode. 8 Type (rod - tape etc)
"""""""""""""" Location Resistance to ohms
earth

Main Protective Conductors

Main earthing conductor: material csa ........................

Main equipotential bonding conductor: material "" ... csa... .""'" ....

To incoming water serviceD To incoming gas service 0 To incoming oil service OTo structural steel 0

To lightningprotection D To other incoming services (state details) """"""""""""""""""""""""

Main Switch or Circuit Breaker

BS Type; No of poles: Current rating: """""" A Voltage rating: """"" V

Location: Fuse rating or setting: """"""" ,... A
Residual current device - operating current: ... ... ... ... ... mA Operating time: .. ms

Observations & Recommendations

With reference to the attached schedules of inspection and tests results and subject to the
limitations detailed under the Extent and Limitations section of this certificate:

No remedial work is required 0

The following observations are made 0
. ,.. . . . .. . ... . . . . . . ..,. . .. ""'" ... ... ... . .. ... . . . . .. .. . ... . .. .. . .. . . . . . ... 0
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::.::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::0
One of the following numbers is to be allocated to each of the observations made above to indicate to the persons
responsible for the installation the action required.
i (1) Urgent attention (2) Improvement (3) Further Investigation (4) does not comply with 887671

Summary of the Inspection Date of Inspection: ... ...

Generaj condition of the installation: """"""""""",,"""""""' , .......

. . . .. . . .. . . .. .. .. .. .. . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . .. . .. .. . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . .. . . .. .. . .. . . .. .. . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .

Overall assessment: (satisfactory/not satisfactory) " """" , ...

Schedules: The reievant inspection and test results schedules are an essential part of this report and must be
attached to it. , Inspection Schedules & Test Results Schedules
 Unsatisfactory Test Results
1. Continuity
When testing the continuity of circuit
protective conductors or bonding conductors
we should always expect a very Iow reading
which is why we must always use a low-
reading ohmmeter. Main and supplementary
bonding conductors should have a reading
of not more than 0.05 ohms whilst the
maximum resistance of circuit protective
conductors can be estimated from the
values of (R1 + R2) given in Table 9A of the
'On-Site Guide'. These values will depend
upon the cross-sectional area of the
conductor, the conductor material and its
length.
A very high (end of scale) reading would
indicate a break in the 'conductor itself or a
disconnected termination which must be
investigated. A mid-range reading may be
caused by the poor termination of an
earthing clamp to the service pipe e.g. a
service pipe which is not cleaned correctly
before fitting the clamp or in the case of
periodic testing, corrosion of the metal
service pipe due to it's age and damp
conditions. A reading only slightly higher
than the required reading may be possible to
correct by replacing the conductor with one
of a larger cross sectional area.
2. Polarity
Correct polarity is achieved by the correct
, termination of conductors to the terminals of
all equipment. This may be mains-intake
equipment such as isolators, main switches
and distribution boards or accessories such
as socket outlets, switches or lighting
fittings. Polarity is either correct or incorrect,
there is nothing in between. Incorrect
polarity is caused by the termination of live
conductors to the wrong terminals and is
corrected by re-connecting all conductors
correctly.
3. Insulation Resistance
The value of insulation resistance of an
installation will depend upon the size and
complexity of the installation and the number
of circuits connected to it. When testing a
smaJl domestic installation you may expect
an insulation resistance reading in excess of
200 Megohms whilst a large industrial or
commercial installation with many sub-
circuits, each providing a parallel path, will
give a much smaller reading if tested as a
whole. It is recommended that where the
insulation resistance reading is less than 2
Megohms that individual distribution boards
or even individual sub-circuits be tested
separately in order to identify any p,ossible
cause of poor insulation values.'
An extremely Iow value of insulation
resistance would indicate a possible short
circuit between live conductors or a bare
conductor in contact with earth at some
point in the installation, either of which must
be investigated. A reading slightly higher
than above but below 0.5 Megohm would
suggest a weakness in the insulation
possibly due to the ingress of dampness or
dirt in such items as distribution boards, joint
boxes or lighting fittings etc. Although PVC
insulated cables are not generally subject to
a deterioration of insulation resistance due
to dampness (unless the insulation or
sheath is damaged) mineral insulated cables
can be affected if dampness has entered the
end of a cable before the seal has been
applied properly. Other causes of Iow
insulation resistance are the infestation of
equipment by rats, mice or insects.
4. Earth-Fault Loop Impedance
As explained previously the Earth-fault loop
path is made up of those parts of the supply
system external to the premises being
tested (Ze) and the phase conductor and
circuit protective conductor within the
installation (R1 + R2). The total Earth-fault
loop impedance being Zs = Ze + (R1 + R2).
Should the value of impedance measured
be higher than that required by the design of
the installation, then as we have no
influence on the external value of
impedance (Ze) we can only reduce the,"
value of (Zs) by installing circuit protective
conductors of a larger cross-sectional area
or if aluminium conductors have been used
by changing these to copper. If the v.alue is
still too high to guarantee operation of the
circuit protective device in the time required
by BS7671 then consideration would have to
be given to changing the type of protective
device (Le. fuses to circuit breakers).
5 Residual Current Devices (RCDs)

Where a Residual Current Device (RCD)

fails to trip out when pressing the integral
test button this would indicate a fault within
the device itself which should be replaced.
Where a Residual Current Device fails to trip
out when being tested by an RCD tester
then it would suggest a break in the earth
return path, which must be investigated. If
the RCD does trip out but not within the time
specified then a check should be made that
the test instrument is set correctly for the
nominal tripping current of the device under
test.

Note!
Further information and advice on the
interpretation of test results and fault finding is
given in the section of these notes on Fault
Diagnosis.