How to prove circuit dead

correctly?

Prepared by: Lim K.C.

OME/42
10-062016

L1 L2

MCB of position

On

L3

Of

Of

4 poles MCB (Miniature Circuit

Breaker)

L1 L2

MCB on position

On

L3

On

Of

4 poles MCB (Miniature Circuit

Breaker)

L
1

L2 L3

Supply from
utility power

On
MCB on position
O
f

To lighting
distribution
board
L
1

L2 L3

L
1

L2 L3

Supply from
utility power

On
MCB of position
Of

To lighting
distribution
board
L
1

L2 L3

L
1

L2 L3

Supply from
utility power

MCB equivalent
circuit

Of

To lighting
distribution
board
L
1

L2 L3

Test between
phases
L
Good practice to test our
1
voltmeter before and after the
test

L2 L3

440V

L1 &
L2

L
1

L2 L3

Test between phase to

neutral
L
1

L2 L3

254V

L1 &
N

L
1

L2 L3

0V

Test between
phases
L
1

L2 L3

0V

L1 &
L3
0V

L1 &
L2

L
1

L2 L3

L2 &
L3

0V

Test between phases to

neutral
L
1

L2 L3

0V

L2 & N

L1 & N

0V

L3 & N
L
1

L2 L3

Test between
phases
L
Prove voltmeter functioning 1
after the test

L2 L3

440V

L1 &
L2

L
1

L2 L3

Test between phase

to neutral
L
1

L2 L3

254V

L1 &
N

L
1

L2 L3

Summary test
results
L
1

L2 L3

Lighting distribution
circuit
Test
point
Reading

L
1

L2 L3

L1 L2

0V

L1 L3

0V

L2 L3

0V

L1 - N

0V

L2 - N

0V

L3 - N

0V

 We have proven the circuit is dead using the

method demonstrated just now
Can we touch the lighting distribution circuits?
L
1

L2 L3

L
1

L2 L3

Not confident to your tester???

To do another test by switching on the MCB to prove that the

circuit is live by looking the bulbs illuminated
L
1

L2 L3

Supply from
utility power

On
MCB on position
O
f

To lighting
distribution
board
L
1

L2 L3

Switching of the MCB to prove that the circuit is dead by observing all
the bulbs are of
L
1

L2 L3

Supply from
utility power

On
MCB of position
Of

To lighting
distribution
board
L
1

L2 L3

Can we touch the lighting distribution circuit after proving

the circuit is dead by switching on and of?
L
1

L2 L3

L
1

L2 L3

Why???

Because of hidden fault, the

voltmeter could not detect if the
measuring technique is used just
now shown in previous slides

Example of Hidden
fault
L
1

L2 L3

L2 L3

If L1 pole jumped
close

L
1

0V

0V

Example of Hidden
fault
L
1

L2 L3

Cannot detect the

voltage

L1 &
L3
0V

L1 &
L2

L1 & N
L
1

L2 L3

0V

Example of Hidden
fault
L
1

L2 L3

Supply source
Example:
transformer
L1
N
L
3

L1 &
L2

L2

Current stopped
here

You cannot measure the

voltage at L1. Because
there is not return path
to the source
L
1

L2 L3

0V

Example of Hidden
fault
L
1

L2 L3

Supply source
Example:
transformer
L1
N
L
3

L2

L1 &
L3
E
Current stopped
here

You cannot measure the

voltage at L1. Because
there is not return path
to the source
L
1

L2 L3

0V

Example of Hidden
fault
L
1

L2 L3

Supply source
Example:
transformer
L1
N
L
3

L2

L1 & N
E
Current stopped
here

You cannot measure the

voltage at L1. Because
there is not return path
to the source
L
1

L2 L3

254V

Example of Hidden
fault
L
1

L2 L3

Supply source
Example:
transformer
L1
N
L
3

L2

L1 & N
Current path
completed

Always measure the

circuit to be tested with
respect to earth

L
1

L2 L3

Conclusi
on

Beside of measuring
L1 & L2
L1 & L3
L2 & L3
L1 & N
L2 & N
L3 & N

You must include

L1 & E
L2 & E
L3 & E

 It is good practice to prove your

voltmeter before and after the test
Another good practice to prove the
circuit dead by means of referring to
earth

Thank You
for
Your
Attention