Verification of

Electrical
Installations
to BS 7671 & IEC 60364

1
 Verification of Electrical Installations
to BS 7671 & IEC 60364

1. Brief background to NAPIT

2. International Electrotechnical Commission
3. Part 6 Inspection & Testing
4. Continuity Testing
5. Insulation Resistance Testing
6. Earth Loop Impedance Testing
7. Zs and components
8. Phase sequence testing
9. TN-C-S or as known in the UK PME

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 National Association for Professional
Inspectors and Testers
NAPIT was formed in 1992 as the National Association for Professional
Inspectors and Testers, with the aim of setting standards for industry.

Since then NAPIT's role has evolved and expanded to be one of the fastest
growing Government Approved register holders for Part P Registered
Domestic Electrical Installers (both full and defined scope) while
continuing to serve the needs of those carrying out equipment testing and
electrical installation and testing in commercial and industrial sectors.

NAPIT believe in the individual competence of all personnel working with

the electrical sector and also across all schemes that we operate.

NAPIT have just under 10,000 members

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 National Association for Professional
Inspectors and Testers

NAPIT Group has several different parts including:

NAPIT Registration, the holder of the registers of competent individuals covering the
Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) & Microgeneration Certification
Scheme (MCS) schemes, various other schemes, and external inspectorate including expert
witness cases,

NAPIT Trade Association for our members to provide industry and government with their
views,

NAPIT Registration, the holder of the registers of competent individuals covering the DCLG &
MCS schemes, various other schemes, and an external inspectorate including expert witness
cases,

NAPIT Trade Association for our members to provide industry and government with their
views,

4
 National Association for Professional
Inspectors and Testers

NAPIT Trade Association for our members to provide industry and government with their
views,

NAPIT Training and its network of training and assessment centres to provide our members
with professional development opportunities,

NAPIT Certification, a standard setting and monitoring body.

NAPIT Inspection, an internal assessment of the electrical operative as part of the company
assessment, our membership fee includes assessment for two individuals and for a reduced
rate for additional individual assessments. Anyone carrying out the work should be assessed as
competent.

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 IEC 60364 & BS:7671
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for
standardization comprising all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National
Committees).

The object of IEC is to promote international co-operation on all questions concerning

standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To this end and in addition to other
activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications, Technical
Reports, Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) and Guides (hereafter referred to as IEC
Publication(s)).

Their preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee

interested in the subject dealt with may participate in this preparatory work. International,
governmental and non-governmental organizations liaising with the IEC also participate in
this preparation.

IEC collaborates closely with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in
accordance with conditions determined by agreement between the two organizations.

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 IEC 60364 & BS:7671
IEC 60364 Electrical Installations for Buildings is the International
Electrotechnical Commission's international standard on electrical
installations of buildings.

This standard is an attempt to harmonize national wiring standards in

an IEC standard.

The latest versions of many European wiring regulations (e.g., BS 7671

in the UK) follow the section structure of IEC 60364 very closely, but
contain additional language to cater for historic national practice and
to simplify field use and determination of compliance by electrical
tradesmen and inspectors.

National codes and site guides are meant to attain the common
objectives of IEC 60364, and provide rules in a form that allows for
guidance of persons installing and inspecting electrical systems.

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 IEC 60364 & BS:7671
Within IEC 60364-6 there are differences on how we have adapted them in
the UK.

Clause 61 of IEC 60364 is titled Chapter 61 in the UK BS:7671 regulations

and this covers the Initial verification of new or additions to existing
installations.

Clause 62 of IEC 60364 is titled Chapter 62 in the UK BS:7671 regulations

and this covers the periodic verification of existing installations. In the UK we
term this Periodic Inspection and Testing as verification implies that the
design of the installation is being proven. For existing installations we are
trying to determine the installation is safe for continued use.

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 IEC 60364 & BS:7671
The UK have adopted the intent of the requirements of IEC 60364-6 and
although the wording may differ the inherent safety requirements have been
met in full.

This provides designers, installers and verifiers of electrical installations with

a document which fully details the means of achieving a safe and reliable
electrical wiring system.

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 IEC 60364 & BS:7671
General

The IEC commences with regulation 61.1.1 where the UK version starts at 610.1

61.1.1 Every installation shall be verified during erection, as far as reasonably practicable, and on
completion, before being put into service by the user.

610.1 Every installation shall, during erection and on completion before being put into service, be
inspected and tested to verify, so far as is reasonably practicable, that the requirements of the
Regulations have been met. Precautions shall be taken to avoid danger to persons and livestock, and to
avoid damage to property and installed equipment, during inspection and testing.

Within the BS:7671 we have amended some wording where this provides a clearer message to the
reader

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 IEC 60364 & BS:7671
Inspection

The IEC Regulation starts at 61.2.1 where the UK version starts at 611.1

61.2.1 Inspection shall precede testing and shall normally be done prior to energizing the installation.

611.1 Inspection shall precede testing and shall normally be done with that part of the installation under
inspection disconnected from the supply.

Within the BS:7671 we have additional wording to make clear that areas under test should be
isolated from the supply to increase the safety to the operatives and users of the electrical system

The UK have also include several more items as an example for the inspection than the IEC 60364
requires.

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 IEC 60364 & BS:7671
Testing
The IEC Regulation starts at 61.3.1 where the UK version starts at 612.1

61.3.2 Continuity of conductors

A continuity test shall be made on
a) protective conductors, including main and supplementary equipotential bonding conductors, and
b) in the case of ring final circuits, live conductors.

612.2.1 Continuity of protective conductors, including main and supplementary equipotential bonding
A continuity test shall be made. It is recommended that the test be carried out with a supply having a no-
load voltage between 4 V and 24 V, d.c. or a.c., and a short-circuit current of not less than 200 mA.

612.2.2 Continuity of ring final circuit conductors

A test shall be made to verify the continuity of each conductor, including the protective conductor, of
every ring final circuit.
.
The UK have included some additional requirements to include the test instrument requirements and
also extending the types of conductors to include the protective conductor

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IEC 60364 & BS:7671 - Continuity Testing

One method of carrying out testing of a Main Earth Conductor in

compliance with BS:7671 Regulation 612.2.1 and IEC 61.3.2
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IEC 60364 & BS:7671 - Continuity Testing

One method of carrying out testing of a Circuit Protective Conductor in

compliance with BS:7671 Regulation 612.2.1 and IEC 61.3.2
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IEC 60364 & BS:7671 Ring Continuity Testing

Testing of a Line Conductor of a ring circuit in compliance with BS:7671

Regulation 612.2.1, 612.2.2 and IEC 61.3.2

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IEC 60364 & BS:7671 Ring Continuity Testing

Testing of a Neutral Conductor of a ring circuit in compliance with

BS:7671 Regulation 612.2.1, 612.2.2 and IEC 61.3.2

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IEC 60364 & BS:7671 Ring Continuity Testing

Testing of a Circuit Protective Conductor of a ring circuit in compliance

with BS:7671 Regulation 612.2.1, 612.2.2 and IEC 61.3.2

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IEC 60364 & BS:7671 Ring Continuity Testing

Confirming that there are no bridge connections between Line &

Neutral on the ring circuit, although not listed in BS:7671 or IEC 60364-
6 it is an essential test to confirm correct installation
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IEC 60364 & BS:7671 Ring Continuity Testing
To confirm there are no
bridge connections in the
ring circuit, connect the
start of the line conductor to
the return neutral conductor,
the return of the line
conductor and the start of
the neutral conductor. Then
measure the
resistance between the line
and neutral at each socket-
outlet as illustrated in
fig 6.3.2e. The resistance
values obtained should be
substantially the same,
This is not listed in BS:7671 or IEC 60364-6 it is an with readings being
essential test to confirm correct installation approximately of the r1rn
value.

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 IEC 60364 & BS:7671 Insulation Testing
This test is to verify
that the insulation of
circuit conductors,
electrical
accessories and
equipment is
satisfactory and there
is no unwanted
leakage between live
conductors (line and
neutral).
BS:7671 and IEC
60364-6 this is an
essential test to
confirm correct
installation

Testing of Insulation resistance in a Lighting circuit in compliance

with BS:7671 Regulation 612.3.1, 612.3.2 and IEC 61.3.3

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 IEC 60364 & BS:7671 Insulation Testing
This test is to verify
that the insulation of
circuit conductors,
electrical
accessories and
equipment is
satisfactory and there
is no unwanted
leakage between live
conductors and earth.
Both BS:7671 and
IEC 60364-6 require
this an essential test
to confirm correct
installation

Testing of Insulation resistance in a Lighting circuit in compliance

with BS:7671 Regulation 612.3.1, 612.3.2 and IEC 61.3.3

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 IEC 60364 & BS:7671 Insulation Testing
The terrible consequences of not carrying out verification correctly were
highlighted by the death of a young mother, Emma Shaw at her first floor flat in
West Bromwich in 2007.
The seven-day Inquest into her death at Sandwell Coroners Court concluded, on 20
December 2011, that the cause of death was electrocution and that she had been
killed unlawfully. She leaves behind a son who, at the time of her death, was
twenty-three months old.
Emma was just 22 when she received a fatal electric shock while mopping up
water on the floor of a hallway cupboard.
The leakage of water was caused by a fault on a hot water boiler, the installation of
which came under criticism. The inquest concluded that the installation work on
the boiler was, not adequate and criticised its, poor layout and poor design.
The electrical installation had been left in a dangerous state due to a plasterboard
screw having gone through a cable, bridging the line conductor and the metal stud
partitioning, making it live.
It was said in court that the electrical fault had not been detected because testing
was, not carried out to a professional standard if at all. It was also stated that
some test results on the electrical certificate had been fabricated.

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 IEC 60364 & BS:7671 Insulation Testing
The work had been carried out the previous year by an company working under
the Qualifying supervisor system, based in Staffordshire, which was wound up just
over a year after Miss Shaws death.
The company had allowed an electricians mate to work alone at the property.
This person stated that he had been asked to carry out the inspection and testing
of the installation but felt uncomfortable about it. A friend of his tested and
approved the wiring. The testing was described in court as, farcical by an
independent expert. The completion of the test certificate was said to be full of
errors yet it had supposedly been checked by the companys Qualified Supervisor.
The company bosses claimed in court that the electricians mate was there to
assist in testing only but they could not explain why he was allowed to work alone
at the flat.
The coroner concluded that there was a, failure by the company to assess the
capabilities of their workforce and constantly monitor their development.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) had originally decided not to prosecute
anyone over Miss Shaws death.
However, following the Inquest, they have now instructed their lawyers to carry
out a full and detailed case review on this decision. The review could agree with
the original decision or it could lead to a decision to bring charges.

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 IEC 60364 & BS:7671 Earth Loop Testing
External loop impedance Ze
The external loop impedance value may be measured using a line-earth
loop tester. The main switch on the consumer unit should be turned off
and made secure to isolate the installation from the source of supply. The
earthing conductors on TN-S and TN-C-S supply systems are disconnected
from the main earthing terminals and the earth fault loop impedance
tester connected between the incoming supply line conductor and the end
of the earthing conductor, as illustrated below:
An alternative method of obtaining a value of Ze is to make enquires from
the electrical supplier. Typical Maximum values are:
TN-S system 0.8 & Prospective Fault Current of 16kA
TN-C-S system 0.35 & Prospective Fault Current of 16kA
Note: the measured value must be obtained to ensure compliance
These figures and the figure for the maximum prospective fault current
(16kA) are incompatible.
This can be seen by doing an Ohms Law equation, using 230V.

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 IEC 60364 & BS:7671 Earth Loop Testing
My understanding is that these values came into play when
the 15th Edition off the IEE Wiring Regulations which when
published placed more emphasis was put on disconnection
times and earth fault loop impedance.
The ENA guidance material and 14th and 15th Editions of
Regs do not have any reference to the source of the 0.35
and 0.8 values.
It is believed that they were cited by the Electricity
Association c.1981 and had been adopted uniformly.
Note that the latest IET Wiring Regulations On Site Guide
now states these values as Typical maximum values this
came from discussion with Energy Networks Association.

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 IEC 60364 & BS:7671 Earth Loop Testing

Earth Loop impedance Zs

Knowledge of the earth fault loop impedance
(Zs ) is an essential factor where the most
commonly used protective measure -
automatic disconnection of the supply is
used
The formulae for the Earth Fault Loop
Impedance is as follows:

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 IEC 60364 & BS:7671

Regulation 612.9 of BS 7671 permits the Zs value to be determined by

measuring it on a live installation with a suitable test instrument or by
using an alternative method, such as calculation.
The value obtained is then compared with the appropriate tabulated
maximum value of Zs as given in Tables 41.2, 41.3 and 41.4 of BS 7671,
after making allowance for the 0.8 temperature correction factor as
indicated in Appendix 14.

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IEC 60364 & BS:7671 Earth Loop Testing
When measuring Zs, inaccurate measurements often occur where the Zs
value being measured is very low.

This generally occurs in two situations:

1. when the measurement is carried out close to the supply transformer
2. when the measurement is carried out on circuits which are protected by
overcurrent devices with a rating in excess of 50 amps.

As the prospective fault current figure is based upon the Zs measurement

(whether carried out as an internal calculation by the instrument or by
manual calculation), it can also be affected significantly by small variations
in Zs values.

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IEC 60364 & BS:7671 Earth Loop Testing

After the result is measured it must be compared against the tabulated

values to ensure compliance and to meet disconnection times
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IEC 60364 & BS:7671 Earth Loop Testing

This diagrams demonstrates the route of the Zs path made up the different
components which include Ze , R1 impedance of the Line, R2 impedance
of the Circuit Protective conductor and the earth connections back to the
supply.
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IEC 60364 & BS:7671 Earth Loop Testing

This test is carried out to ensure that the incoming supply has an earth
connection.
Using an earth loop impedance tester, measure the loop impedance of
each phase at the origin Ze, in compliance with BS:7671 Regulation 612.9
and IEC 61.3.6
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IEC 60364 & BS:7671 Earth Loop Testing

This test is carried out to ensure that the required disconnection times for
each circuit in an installation will be achieved if a fault to Earth occurs.
Using an earth loop impedance tester, measure the loop impedance of
each radial circuit at the furthest point Zs, in compliance with BS:7671
Regulation 612.9 and IEC 61.3.6
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 IEC 60364 & BS:7671 Earth Loop Testing

This test is carried out to ensure that the required disconnection times for
each circuit in an installation will be achieved if a fault to Earth occurs.
Using an earth loop impedance tester, measure the loop impedance of each radial circuit
at the furthest point Zs, in compliance with BS:7671 Regulation 612.9 and IEC 61.3.6
33
IEC 60364 & BS:7671 Phase Sequence Testing
Electricians have
been known in order
to save time, to
change the direction
of rotation of
three phase motors
by changing over two
of the line conductors
at the distribution
board feeding those
motors. This is
instead of changing
two line conductor
connections over in
each three phase
For multi phase circuits the phase sequence shall be verified, in motor.
compliance with BS:7671 Regulation 612.12 and IEC 61.3.9

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IEC 60364 & BS:7671 Documentation
Documentation for Initial work
IEC refers to this as a report where BS:7671
refers to this as a certificate
Persons carrying this work shall be competent
in verification

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IEC 60364 & BS:7671 Documentation
Documentation for Periodic Inspection & Testing
IEC refers to this as Verification where BS:7671
refers to this as an Electrical Installation
Condition Report
IEC states that -Persons carrying this work
shall be a skilled person competent in
verification but the BS:7671 states by a
competent person

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IEC 60364 & BS:7671 Documentation
Requirements for Initial Inspection & Testing
On completion of an electrical installation, an
Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) should
provide to the owner/occupier of the building
but the electrical contractor, this will detail the
work that has been carried out including
Inspection, Testing and Verification.

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IEC 60364 & BS:7671 Documentation
Requirements for Initial Inspection & Testing
Electricity suppliers must be satisfied that the
electrical installation complies with BS 7671 at
the time of connection. The electricity
supplier must be provided with evidence to
this effect, in the form of the EIC. The EIC is
the normal method of providing confirmation
that the installation is satisfactory to be put
into service.

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IEC 60364 & BS:7671 Documentation
Requirements for Periodic Inspection & Testing
The Institution of Engineering and Technology
(IET) publishes industry-agreed guidance on
how to comply with BS 7671. One such
document, Guidance Note 3, Inspection and
Testing, gives specific guidance on how
inspection and testing should be carried out.

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 IEC 60364 & BS:7671 Legal Requirements
Requirements for Periodic Inspection & Testing
Unfortunately there is no legal requirement to carry out Periodic
Inspection & Testing of premises within the UK
Often there is a requirement that is imposed by Local Government via
licensing for entertainment purposes
Insurance companies can request an inspection prior to providing cover
for the premises
The majority of companies carry out this as part of their health & safety
duties but often this is kept to a minimum level of around 10-20% of the
installation
Initiatives to introduce this as an enforced standard has been met with
resistance by business and government as it places a financial burden on
companies
Electrical contracting companies are normally registered with bodies such
as the NAPIT, Niceic or ECA, the terms of which oblige members
companies to abide by certain codes of professional conduct and also be
subjected to assessment of their work normally on an annual basis.

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 IEC 60364 & BS:7671
TN-C-S or as it is known in the UK PME
In normal operation, the current drawn by the installation will flow from the main fuse in the
cut-out box through the installation, back to the incoming PEN conductor and then back to
the supply source.
Fig. 1 shows that a proportion of this returning neutral current from the installation will flow
along the main earthing conductor to the main earthing terminal (MET), then to any
incoming extraneous-conductive-parts via the main bonding conductors.
Some of this current will then return to the substation through the ground.
A factor determining the magnitude of this current is the effectiveness of the connection
with Earth of the extraneous-conductive-parts.
The PEN conductor in the underground supply cable carries the returning neutral current
from all the other consumers supplied by that cable back to the source of supply.
Again looking at Fig. 1, we might well ask whether some of this returning neutral current can
also flow into consumers premises and return to Earth via the main earthing conductor, the
MET, the main bonding conductors and bonded extraneous-conductive-parts. However, this
current will find the easiest route (in terms of impedance) to return to Earth and the
impedance of the PEN conductor in the supply cable is generally much lower than the
impedance of other paths.
Therefore, in normal operation, the MET in PME systems will be at some potential relative to
Earth. This potential would clearly also be on the exposed-conductive-parts and the
extraneous-conductive-parts which are connected to the MET. Hence the vital need for main
protective bonding. (See the section below on main protective bonding)

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 IEC 60364 & BS:7671
TN-C-S or as it is known in the UK PME

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 IEC 60364 & BS:7671
TN-C-S or as it is known in the UK PME
The PME system with a line to Earth fault in
an installation (Fig.2)
Under line to Earth fault conditions within an installation
forming part of a PME system, the fault current will flow to
the MET and from there, most of it will flow to Earth along the
main earthing conductor, operating the appropriate
overcurrent device in the process.
However, a proportion of the fault current may also flow to
Earth via the main protective bonding conductor(s) and the
extraneous-conductive-parts. (The same would be true of a
TN-S system)

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 IEC 60364 & BS:7671
TN-C-S or as it is known in the UK PME

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 IEC 60364 & BS:7671
TN-C-S or as it is known in the UK PME
The PME system with an open-circuit PEN
conductor (Fig. 3)
The fault condition of most concern in PME
systems is an open circuit in the PEN conductor of
the distribution system. This may result in a
dangerous potential appearing between the
metallic parts connected to the PME main
earthing terminal and the general mass of Earth.
To prevent such a condition, electricity suppliers
connect the PEN conductor to Earth at various
points along its length to provide a path to Earth
during a fault current situation.
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 IEC 60364 & BS:7671
TN-C-S or as it is known in the UK PME

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 IEC 60364 & BS:7671
TN-C-S or as it is known in the UK PME
Main protective bonding
The purpose of main protective bonding is to maintain the exposed-conductive-parts and the extraneous-
conductive-parts within premises at substantially the same potential(an equipotential zone). By this
means, the likelihood of dangerous potential differences which can give rise to electric shock - appearing
between such items of metalwork is reduced.
The equipotential zone will be maintained under the following conditions:
normal operating conditions
line to Earth fault conditions
open-circuit PEN conductors in PME supplies
The point was made above that, in PME systems which are operating normally, a proportion of the
current can flow along the main protective bonding conductors to the extraneous-conductive-parts, which
may, for example, be underground service pipes.
If other consumers on the PME network are also connected to these same metallic underground service
pipes, via their main bonding conductors, each premises will contribute some current to this bonded
metalwork. As a result, these service pipes, on entering each premises, could well be at some potential
relative to Earth. Such voltage differences are normally too low to be of concern, however there are
sometimes cases where this is an issue. It is of the utmost importance therefore that such metalwork is
main bonded in accordance with Regulation 544.1.1 of BS 7671.
The current which each main protective bonding conductor will have to carry in the event of a fault
whether a line to Earth fault or a broken PEN conductor - cant be known unless the relative impedances of
the paths to Earth are known. This means that the sizes for the main bonding conductors given in
Regulation 544.1.1 of BS 7671 are somewhat arbitrary.
However, as the fault current is likely to be substantial, Regulation 544.1.1 of BS 7671 requires a larger
cross-sectional area for main bonding conductors in PME installations, compared to TN-S and TT
installations, with this possibility in mind.

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 IEC 60364 & BS:7671
TN-C-S or as it is known in the UK PME
Restrictions on the use of PME systems
As the main earthing terminal of PME systems is at some potential relative
to Earth, clearly then, any metallic item which is connected to such an
MET will also be at some potential relative to Earth. It is for this reason
that Regulation 9(4) of the Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity
Regulations 2002 (ESQCR) prohibits the use of TN-C-S (PME) systems for
the supply to a caravan or boat or anything having a similar construction.
For example, caravans must not use PME main earthing terminals. Other
restrictions on the use of PME main earthing terminals which are
mentioned in BS 7671 include supplies to:
temporary buildings, such as exhibitions, shows and stands.
construction sites, except for the supply to a fixed building of the
construction site.
mobile or transportable units.
marinas.

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