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Testing and inspection

Introduction
 New electrical installations and extensions to existing installations must be inspected and
tested. This is done to ensure that all electrical equipment has been correctly selected,
installed
and interconnected in accordance with the IEE wiring regulations for Electrical
Installations.
 The rules state that two categories of tests must be carried out on an installation. One test
is carried out prior to the installation being made live for the first time, and the other
when the installation is live. Both tests must be carried out by competent persons using
prescribed test equipment.
 They also must be carried out in a particular sequence.
Visual inspection
The quality of visual inspection is dependent on the experience and knowledge of the person
carrying out the inspection.
Visual inspection should precede testing with instruments and must of course be prior to the
installation being made live.
It may be necessary to inspect some parts of an installation during the construction phase as these
parts may be concealed later.
During visual inspection its necessary to check the following areas
 Fixed wiring  Trunking
 Flexible cables and cords  Protection
 Terminations  Bonding
 Lighting switches  Socket outlets
 Ceiling roses  Joint boxes
 Testing
On completion of the visual inspection the following tests must be completed where
applicable:

Tests before connection of the installation to the supply:

 Continuity of all protective conductors

 Continuity of ring final circuit conductors
 Insulation Resistance of the electrical installation.
 Polarity test.
If the installation should fail any test, the fault must be rectified before any further testing
is done.

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Continuity of Protective Conductors

This test is to ensure that:
 all protective conductors and bonding conductors are electrically sound and correctly
connected and continuous throughout their length. ( Remember that this includes the
Main Protective Conductor and the Earthing Conductor ).
 all equipment and accessories are properly connected to the protective conductor where
required.
 all bonding connections and clamps are making good electrical contact.

Equipment required to carry out this test.

i) Low reading DC Ohmmeter

ii) An insulation resistance test meter set on the continuity range.

Procedure
A long trailing lead of known resistance is required. Also, it will be necessary to know the
resistance of the test leads used.
i) With supply disconnected, connect one end of the long trailing lead to the main
earthing terminal of the installation.
ii) Using the other end in conjunction with the test meter leads, take readings from all
the points around the circuits e.g. Switches, luminaries, sockets etc.
The resistance of the test leads and also that of the long trailing lead must be subtracted
from the readings obtained in order to arrive at the resistance of the protective conductor.

Most test instruments have a facility for nulling the test leads, including the long trailing lead.

This means that a direct reading can be obtained.

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Protective conductor resistance equals Meter reading minus Test lead resistance

Continuity of Ring Final Circuit Conductors

This test is to verify that ring final circuits are:
1. Correctly wired and connected.
2. Continuous throughout.
3. Their conductors are not interconnected or bridged.
Test Instrument Required
A low reading DC Ohmmeter

Method.
I) Disconnect the phase, neutral and earth conductors from their terminals in the distribution
board.
Ii) Separate them from each other.
Iii) Measure the resistance of each of the three loops individually and record the readings taken.
The phase and neutral readings should be equal.
The protective conductor may have a different cross-sectional area to that of the phase and
neutral.

If there is a difference in the loop resistance readings check for a poor or loose connection.

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Insulation Resistance
This test is to ensure that there are no short circuits between live conductors or between live
conductors and earth.
There is no deterioration in insulation resistance caused by damage or dampness.
A direct voltage is applied, to test insulation resistance
A high voltage is used because this will often break down poor insulation or surface leakage
paths. In other words the high voltage may show up insulation weaknesses which would not be
noticed at lower voltage levels.
An insulation resistance tester measures the applied voltage and the resulting leakage current
flow.
The resistance displayed, is obtained by an internal calculation based on Ohm’s Law.
Test voltage ( V )
Insulation Resistance ( MΩ ) =
Leakage Current ( μa )

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Test Instrument Required

An insulation resistance tester ( having a DC test voltage which is dependent on the supply
Warning:
Ensure that circuits are not live before commencing testing.
Never turn the function dial whilst the test button is depressed. This may damage the instrument.
Never touch the circuit under test during insulation resistance testing.
Before testing always check the following:-
The “battery low” indicator is not showing.
There is no visual damage to the tester or test leads.
Check the continuity of the test leads.
To check the continuity of the test leads:
Select the continuity function- and the lowest resistance range. Short the test leads
together.
The reading should be almost Zero Ohms.
An over-range ( OR ) indication will mean that the leads are faulty or the instrument fuse
is blown.

Select the required test voltage ( 250 V, 500 V or 1000 V ) by rotating the function dial.
Note:- The test voltage used for low voltage installations is 500 Volts.

Select the required range ( 20 M, 200 M, 2000 MΩ ) by rotating the range selector.
Note:- Start on the highest range and only select a lower range if required.
Attach the test leads to the instrument and to the circuit to be tested.
If the voltage warning beeper sounds do not press the test button or the instrument will be
damaged. Disconnect the instrument from the circuit. The circuit is live and must be de-
energized before further testing.
If all is well continue the test. The value of insulation resistance will be displayed in megohms.
Note:- The minimum acceptable resistance value is 1 MΩ.
A new installation test may produce a reading in excess of 100 MΩ. If a reading of 2 MΩ or less
is discovered, the reason should be investigated and corrected.
1t should be noted that the system charges up to the test voltage used. Thus it can be dangerous
for people or animals to make contact with an electrical installation which is under test. Even
when the test voltage is removed, the wiring system may remain charged for a significant time
unless steps are taken to provide a path for discharge current.
When testing is complete ensure that the test button is released before the test leads are
disconnected. This is because the system may be charged up and it must be allowed discharge
through the test meter internal discharge resistor.

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Pre Test Procedures and Observations.

1. The installation must be disconnected from the supply.
2. The Main Protective Conductor must be disconnected from the supply neutral.
3. All fuses are intact and all mcbs and switches are closed.
4. All current using equipment including lamps, pilot lights, bell transformers, smoke alarm
units, PIR units, timers etc. Are disconnected or otherwise excluded from the test between live
conductors.
5. Note:- Where disconnection or removal of these items is impractical the control switches
should be in the off position. Items left in circuit will cause false low readings.
6. Any equipment containing electronic circuitry must be disconnected or switched off in
order to prevent damage by the high test voltage.
Insulation Resistance between All Live Conductors and the
Protective Conductor
Method
Connect all live and neutral conductors together at the distribution board and test between
them and the protective conductor.
The reading obtained should be 1 M or greater.
An infinitely high resistance reading would be ideal.

After test remove the temporary link

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When testing two way or two way and intermediate lighting circuits, it is essential
that both of the two way switches are switched over and the test repeated at each
stage. This is to ensure that all strappers and the switch wire are included in the test.

Insulation Resistance between Live Conductors

Method
Test between phase and neutral conductors. The reading obtained should be 1 M or
greater.
An infinitely high resistance reading would be ideal.

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Polarity
This test is carried out to ensure that:
 Polarity at the main supply point is correct.
 The phase conductor is connected to fuses, single pole circuit breakers and switches.
 Incoming supply is connected to back contact of screw in type fuses.
 The phase conductor is connected to the centre contact of ES type lampholders .
 All wiring is correctly connected at socket outlets and other similar accessories.

Test instruments
Test lamp
Voltmeter
Polarity Test of Socket Outlets

i. Ensure that all appliances are unplugged

ii. With the circuit MCB in the “off” position,
iii. Connect one end of the long trailing lead to the outgoing terminal of the circuit MCB.
Using the other end in conjunction with the test meter leads, take readings from the phase
terminal of all sockets.
Observation
Continuity at each outlet ensures that polarity is correct.

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Polarity test
1. Lighting Circuits (dead circuit)
Instruments used
Ohmmeter
Continuity tester
This test must be done with the supply disconnected and may be carried out as follows:

i) Remove circuit FUSE or open MCB.

ii) Remove all lamps from relevant circuit.
iii) Place all switch in off position
iv) Connect one end of the long trailing lead to the outgoing terminal of the circuit
MCB. Using the other end in conjunction with the test meter leads, take readings
from the phase terminal at all the points around the circuit e.g. Switches and ES
lampholders.
v) If the supply is disconnected from the installation the long trailing lead may be
connected to the phase busbar and the MCB should then be left in the “on”
position
Observation
1. Continuity at each point ensures that polarity is correct. (continuity tester)
2. Touching one side of the switch will show a reading of less than 1Ωand the other will
give no reading (this indicates correct polarity) (ohmmeter)
3. If no reading is obtained on touching both terminals the polarity is incorrect (ohmmeter)

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The circuit switch must be operated when checking polarity of ES lampholders.

Procedure for testing live circuit
i. All single pole switches switched ON and covers removed
ii. Main switch at ON position
iii. All lamps and other apparatus removed
iv. A test lamp with two probes are connected at known earth terminal at the consumer
installation and at the live parts of the switch
v. This procedure is repeated separately for each switch in the installation.
Observation
If the switch is wired correctly the lamp will light
If wrongly wired the lamp will not light because the switch will be at earth’s potential.

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