Chapter 7 - Inspection & Testing

Chapter 7 — Inspection & Testing
Outline
7.1 Initial inspection

7.2 Testing continuity of protective conductors
7.3 Testing insulation resistance
7.4 Special tests
7.5 Testing polarity
7.6 Testing earth electrode resistance
7.7 Testing earth fault loop impedance
7.8 External loop impedance Ze
7.1 Initial inspection
• An initial verification is needed for new installations

or additions.
• Reasons for initial verification:
–To ensure that the equipment and accessories are to a
relevant standard.
–To prove compliance with EBCS-10 or IEC documents.
–To ensure that the installation is not damaged to impair

safety.
Cont’d
Information required:
• While you verify, check that there is an Electrical
Installation Certificate signed or authenticated for the
design and construction.
Cont’d
• Before any testing is carried out, a detailed physical

inspection must be made to ensure that
– all equipment's are to a relevant EBCS or IEC
Standard,
– they are erected or installed in compliance with the
IEE Regulations or EBCS-10, and
– they are not damaged in such a way that it could cause
danger.
Detailed inspection…
Detailed inspection…
Cont’d
Sequence of tests
1.Continuity of all protective conductors.

2.Insulation resistance.
3.Electrical separation.
4.Protection by barriers and enclosures provided during
erection.
5.Insulation of non-conducting floors and walls.
6.Polarity.
Cont’d
7.Earth electrode resistance.
8.Earth fault loop impedance.
7.2 Testing continuity of protective
conductors
Cont’d
• The test is conducted in the following manner:
1.Temporarily link together the line conductor and cpc of
the circuit concerned in the distribution board (DB) or
consumer unit.
2.Test between line and cpc at each outlet in the circuit.

A reading indicates continuity.
3. Record the test result obtained at the furthest point in

the circuit. This value is (R1+R2) for the circuit.
7.3 Testing insulation resistance
• An insulation resistance test is performed to ensure

that the insulation of conductors, accessories and
equipment is in a healthy condition.
• It also indicates whether any short circuits exist.
• The longer a cable is, the lower is the insulation
resistance.
Cont’d
• The test procedure is as follows:

1.Disconnect all items of equipment such as capacitors
and indicator lamps as these are likely to give misleading
results.
2.Join together all live conductors of the supply and test
between this joint and earth. Alternatively, test between
each live conductor and earth in turn.
Cont’d
3. Test between line and neutral. For three-phase

systems, join together all lines and test between this
joint and the neutral. Then test between each of the
lines. Alternatively, test between each of the live
conductors in turn. Installations incorporating two-way
lighting systems should be tested twice with the two-
way switches in alternative positions.
7.4 Special tests
• Special tests are special as they are not often required

in the general type of installation.
• These tests also require special test equipment.
• These are:
– Protection by separation of circuits
– Protection by barriers or enclosures during erection
– Protection by non-conducting location

7.5 Testing polarity
• Many serious injuries could have been prevented if

only polarity checks had been carried out.
• The requirements are:
1.All fuses and single-pole switches are in the line
conductor.
2.The center contact of an Edison screw-type lamp-

holder is connected to the line conductor.
3.All socket outlets and similar accessories are correctly

wired.
Cont’d
• When the supply is connected, it is important to

check that the incoming supply is correct.
• This is done using an approved voltage indicator at
the intake position or close to it.
Cont’d
7.6 Testing earth electrode resistance
• For a TT earthling system:

– In order to determine the resistance of the earth return
path, it is necessary to measure the resistance that the
electrode has with earth.
– If we were to make such measurements at increasingly
longer distances from the electrode, we would notice
an increase in resistance up to about 2.5–3m from the
rod, after which no further increase in resistance would
be noticed.
Cont’d
– The maximum resistance recorded is the electrode
resistance, and the area that extends the 2.5–3m
beyond the electrode is known as the earth electrode
resistance area.
7.7 Testing earth fault loop impedance
Cont’d
• It is conducted as follows:
1.Ensure that all main equipotential bonding is in place.
2.Connect the test instrument either by its ‘flying leads’

to the line, and the neutral and earth terminals at the
remote end of the circuit being under test. (If a neutral is
not available, e.g. in the case of a three-phase motor,
connect the neutral probe to earth.)
Cont’d
3. Press to test and record the value indicated.
• Zs should to be compared at the corresponding

ambient temperature.
7.8 External loop impedance Ze
• The value of Ze is measured at the intake position on
the supply side and with all main equipotential
bonding disconnected.
• Unless the installation can be isolated from the
supply, this test should not be carried out, as a
potential risk of shock exists with the supply on and
the main bonding disconnected.

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Chapter 7 - Inspection & Testing

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Chapter 7 — Inspection & Testing

7.1 Initial inspection

• An initial verification is needed for new installations

–To prove compliance with EBCS-10 or IEC documents.

–To ensure that the installation is not damaged to impair

• Before any testing is carried out, a detailed physical

1.Continuity of all protective conductors.

2.Test between line and cpc at each outlet in the circuit.

3. Record the test result obtained at the furthest point in

• An insulation resistance test is performed to ensure

• The test procedure is as follows:

3. Test between line and neutral. For three-phase

• Special tests are special as they are not often required

– Protection by barriers or enclosures during erection

– Protection by non-conducting location

• Many serious injuries could have been prevented if

2.The center contact of an Edison screw-type lamp-

3.All socket outlets and similar accessories are correctly

• When the supply is connected, it is important to

• For a TT earthling system:

2.Connect the test instrument either by its ‘flying leads’

• Zs should to be compared at the corresponding

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