Академический Документы
Профессиональный Документы
Культура Документы
Session 24
Inspection and testing
Contents
24.1 Inspection
24.2 Testing
24.2.1 Continuity of protective conductors
24.2.2 Continuity of ring final circuits
24.2.3 Insulation resistance test
24.2.4 Polarity test
24.2.5 Earth electrode resistance test
24.2.6 Additional protection RCCB/RCBO operation test
24.2.7 Phase sequence test
Aim
The aim of this lesson is to give an idea about inspection and testing of a typical
domestic electrical installation.
Specific objectives
At the end of this lesson you will be able to:
1. Apply diversity in the calculation of current demand for a domestic
installation.
2. Explain the use of diversity in fused socket outlet circuits.
3. Sketch typical installation of 13 A socket outlet circuits for both radial and
ring circuits.
Introduction
We have now almost reached the finish line of the course content and about to
conclude our course “Electrical Installation”.
Having designed, selected the appropriate materials and equipment, and finally
upon completion of every electrical installation, be it as per the prevailing IEE
wiring Regulations or locally established standards, it now remains to put in to
service.
231
ECX4234 - Session 24 – Inspection and testing
However, before put in to service, the installation must be tested and inspected to
ensure that it is safe and complies, as far as is practicable, with IEE Regulations.
24.1 Inspection
The Regulations initially call for a visual inspection, but some items such as correct
connection of conductors, etc. can be done during the actual testing. The inspection
should be made to verify that the installed electrical equipment is correctly selected
and erected in accordance with the Regulations and not visibly damaged or defective
so as to impair safety.
While the verification should be made by a competent person, precautions should be
taken to avoid danger to person and to avoid damage to property and installed
equipment during inspection and testing. It should be noted that the inspection should
precede testing and normally be done with the installation under inspection is
disconnected from the supply.
The inspection includes at least the checking of the following items, where relevant
to the installation and where necessary during erection. They are:
Connection and identification of conductors
Routing of cables in safe zones, or protection against mechanical damage
Selection of conductors for current carrying capacity and voltage drop in
accordance with the design
Connection of single-pole devices for protection or switching in line
conductors only
Correct connection of accessories and equipment
Presence of fire barriers, suitable seals and protection against thermal effects
Methods of protection against electric shock by both basic protection and fault
protection such as SELV, PELV, double insulation, reinforced insulation etc.
Methods of protection against electric shock by insulation of live parts, by
barrier or an enclosure, by obstacles, by placing out of reach
Presence of appropriate devices for isolation and switching correctly located
Labelling of protective devices switches and terminals
Adequacy of access to switchgear and equipment
Presence of danger notices and other warning signs
Presence of diagrams, instructions, erection method and similar information
24.2 Testing
The following items (where relevant to the installation being tested) must be tested in
the following sequence:
1. Continuity of protective conductors
2. Continuity of ring final circuit conductors
3. Insulation resistance
232
ECX4234 - Session 24 – Inspection and testing
Table 24.1
Where a supplementary protective bonding conductor has been installed between
simultaneously accessible exposed and extraneous conductive parts, because of the
circuit disconnection times cannot be met, then the resistance R of the conductor
must be ≤ (50/Ia) Ω. Here 50 is the voltage, above which the exposed part of the
233
ECX4234 - Session 24 – Inspection and testing
metalwork should not rise for safety purposes, and Ia is the minimum current
causing the operation of the circuit protective device within 5 seconds.
Let us look at an example, suppose a 45 A BS 3036 semi-enclosed fuse protects a
cooker circuit. Let us assume a supplementary bonding conductor has been
installed between the cooker case and the adjacent metal sink.
The resistance R of that conductor should not be greater than 50/I a since the
minimum Ia in this case is 145 A (from Fig 3.2 B, Semi-enclosed fuses to BS3036,
IEE Regulations 17th edition)
50
Therefore R 0.34
145
Question
Discussion
Simple: just connect the leads from the continuity tester to the ends of the bonding
conductor as shown in figure 24.1. One end should be disconnected from its
bonding clamp; otherwise any measurement may include the resistance of parallel
paths of other earthed metalwork.
Earth clamps
Main
protective
bonding
conductor
Gas
Measuring Instrument
234
ECX4234 - Session 24 – Inspection and testing
The continuity of circuit protective conductors may be established in the same way,
but a second method id preferred, as the result of this second test indicate the value
of (R1 + R2) for the circuit.
Temporary
link
E cpc
Reading at last outlet gives
(R1+R2) values for the
circuit
Ω
When the installation comprises steel conduits and trunking, there may be some
difficulty in determining the values (R1+R2) of the circuit because of the parallel
earth paths that are likely to exist.
Under the circumstances, continuity test should be carried out at the installation
period before accessories are connected or before terminations are made off.
235
ECX4234 - Session 24 – Inspection and testing
A B C P Q
Y
Inetrconnection
Spur
F E D S R
Figure 24.3
A simple resistance test between the ends of the phase, neutral or circuit protective
conductors will only indicate that the presence of a circuit exists, whether it is an
interconnection or not.
The following test method is based on the theory that the resistance measured
across any diameter of a perfect circle of conductor will always be the same value.
Ring circuits also can be considered as a perfect circle, even if you make a phase-
neutral cross connection at any point of the circuit. Usually this is done at socket
outlets when carrying out the test.
Have a look at figure 24.4.
236
ECX4234 - Session 24 – Inspection and testing
Circli of conductor
Ohms
Figure 24.4
Note in the figure 24.4, the perfect circle of conductor is achieved by cross-
connecting the phase wire and the neutral loops of the ring.
L1 N2
Phase Neutral
loop Ohms loop
L2 N1
Figure 24.5
237
ECX4234 - Session 24 – Inspection and testing
and the closest socket outlet. The readings will give three high readings and three
low readings. From the three low readings you can establish the opposite legs.
2. Take a resistance measurement between the ends of each conductor loop
and record this value.
3. Cross-connect the ends of the line and neutral loops (see figure 24.6)
4. Take the resistance measurement between phase and neutral at each socket
on the ring. The readings noted down should be the same for a perfect ring.
L1 N1 L2 N2
Figure 24.6
If an interconnection exists as shown in the diagram 24.3 then the sockets A to F
will have same readings. Those beyond the interconnection will have gradually
increasing readings to approximately the midpoint of the ring and then decreasing
values towards the interconnection.
Suppose there is a break at point Y, then the readings from socket s would increase
to a maximum at socket P. One or two high readings are likely to indicate either
loose connections or spurs. A null reading, i.e. an open circuit reading is probably a
reverse polarity, either phase conductor-cpc or neutral-cpc reversal. These faults
would clearly be rectified and the test at the suspect socket or sockets will be
repeated.
5. Repeat the procedure adopted above, however in this case cross-connect
the phase conductor and the cpc loop. In this case, if the cable is of the flat twin
type, the readings at each socket will very slightly increase and then decrease
around the ring. This difference due to the line and cpc being in different in
sizes. The measured value is very important and is (R 1 + R2) for the ring.
238
ECX4234 - Session 24 – Inspection and testing
conductors
sheath
Leakage
resistance of
the installation
239
ECX4234 - Session 24 – Inspection and testing
Phase wire
Switch wire
E
cpc
Temporary link
Figure 24.8
240
ECX4234 - Session 24 – Inspection and testing
Potential electrode
15-25 m 15-25 m
3m 3m
C1 P1 P2 C2
Figure 24.9
Place the current electrode (C2) away from the electrode under test,
approximately 10 times its length, i.e. 30m for a 3m rod & place the potential
electrode mid way
Connect the test instrument as shown in figure 24.9 and record resistance
value
Move the potential electrode approximately 3 m either side of the mid
position, and record these two readings
Take an average of these three readings (this is the earth electrode
resistance)
Determine the maximum deviation or difference of this average from the
three readings
Express this deviation as a percentage of the average reading
Multiply this percentage deviation by 1.2
Provided this value does not exceed a figure of 5% then the accuracy of the
measurement is considered acceptable
The value obtained here when added to the cpc resistance of the protected circuits
and, this value when multiplied by the operating current of the rccb (or rcd), should
not exceed the value 50V.
If a 30 mA rccb is used, this allows a maximum earth fault loop impedance of 1666 Ω
although it is recommended that earth fault loop impedance should never be greater
than 200 Ω as per the IEE Regulations.
241
ECX4234 - Session 24 – Inspection and testing
Reference:
Requirements for Electrical Installations, IEE Wiring Regulations 17th Edition, 2008.
242