Testing and Verification of Electrical Installations

2011

Following a suggestion by maxamillius this sticky has been created for all posts relating to the testing and verification of electrical installations.

This is an important topic because only ETCI completion certificates signed by the Holder of a valid Qualified Certifier Number (QC No) are processed for transmission to ESB. To obtain a QC No, Registered Electrical Contractors (RECs) must, successfully complete the City and Guilds Certificate in Electrical Testing and Verification of Electrical Installations 2407.

Please post relevant information, links and questions relating to this topic here.

zombiekiller

So to do this you must have your own meter, yes

Par1

zombiekiller wrote: »

So to do this you must have your own meter, yes

Not necessarily, you may use a borrowed meter for course

mikeyjames9

prob a stupid question

but how do the chefs make the lunches while the hotels are being tested?

are the lunches all cooked before the testing and verification starts?

Par1

mikeyjames9 wrote: »

prob a stupid question

but how do the chefs make the lunches while the hotels are being tested?

are the lunches all cooked before the testing and verification starts?

Testing is refined to purpose built work stations. The hotels wiring installation will therefore be uninterrupted, your lunch should be grand.

maxamillius

So as a refresher,,,what are the tests that must be completed in a domestic installation after it has been connected to esb?

mikeyjames9

final circuit maximum fault loop impedance tests

rcd trip testing

zombiekiller

PRE CONNECTION TESTS

Continuity of electrode and bonding conductors.

Continuity of all and the max resistance value of protective conductors

Polarity

Insulation resistance test

Erroneous connection test

POST CONNECTION

Operation of RCD

L-E fault loop impedance

maxamillius

zombiekiller wrote: »

PRE CONNECTION TESTS

Continuity of electrode and bonding conductors.

Continuity of all and the max resistance value of protective conductors

Polarity


Insulation resistance test

Erroneous connection test

POST CONNECTION

Operation of RCD

L-E fault loop impedance

Don't suppose you fancy explAining how those tests are carried out?

2011

maxamillius wrote: »

Don't suppose you fancy explAining how those tests are carried out?

Hi maxamillus, which tests do you want an explanation of?

Par1

2011 wrote: »

Hi maxamillus, which tests do you want an explanation of?

He probably wants the tests he quoted from zombiekiller explained for him.

Par1

These to be exact

Originally Posted by zombiekiller View Post
PRE CONNECTION TESTS

Continuity of electrode and bonding conductors.

Continuity of all and the max resistance value of protective conductors

Polarity


Insulation resistance test

Erroneous connection test

POST CONNECTION

Operation of RCD

L-E fault loop impedance

brightspark

maxamillius wrote: »

Don't suppose you fancy explAining how those tests are carried out?

http://local.ecollege.ie/Content/APPRENTICE/liu/electrical_notes/LL227.pdf

mikeyjames9

brightspark wrote: »

http://local.ecollege.ie/Content/APPRENTICE/liu/electrical_notes/LL227.pdf

Not the most inspiring of documents

I think they've been copying and posting those same visual checks for 30yrs

brightspark

mikeyjames9 wrote: »

Not the most inspiring of documents

I think they've been copying and posting those same visual checks for 30yrs

I guess that's because the same problems keep occurring?

Both RECI and ECCSA have published their own guides (not sure if still available though) we used the RECI one during the course in Baldoyle.

2011

mikeyjames9 wrote: »

Not the most inspiring of documents

I think they've been copying and posting those same visual checks for 30yrs

That's nothing, Ohm's Law has remained unchanged for well over 100 years :D

Seriously though, what do you see wrong with thier description of the visual inspection?

zombiekiller

The reci book on testing and verification mentioned above is only 15 euro. Explains all the testing procedures gives tables on acceptable an unacceptable values on the different tests. And the the list of visual inspections is the page i had open on the test which helped to get the last one or two visual faults.

maxamillius

Can you buy that book online?i remember we had one in phase 2 which was quite good!

zombiekiller

You can ring reci and pay over the phone.

Casey78

Hi
Sorry if I'm hijacking the thread but would anyone know where I would be able to get periodic inspection stickers to put on a fuse board once I have tested the installation. Something with a tested by/date of test/date of next test due?
I have found ones used for PAT testing online but nothing for a periodic circuit inspection.

2011

Casey78 wrote: »

Hi
Sorry if I'm hijacking the thread but would anyone know where I would be able to get periodic inspection stickers to put on a fuse board once I have tested the installation. Something with a tested by/date of test/date of next test due?
I have found ones used for PAT testing online but nothing for a periodic circuit inspection.

I used this company to make up all sorts of stickers for me. Every board I did had a small sticker with my company name & contact details on it. Not an expensive solution, they will make up any sticker you like and it looks professional.

sharkbite1983

zombiekiller wrote: »

PRE CONNECTION TESTS

Continuity of electrode and bonding conductors.

Continuity of all and the max resistance value of protective conductors

Polarity

Insulation resistance test

Erroneous connection test

POST CONNECTION

Operation of RCD

L-E fault loop impedance

Im booked in to the 2 day intensive course for a couple of weeks time, Id be confident Id know how to do any of those tests, except the Erroneous, which Ive never even heard of! Can anyone tell me whats that about?:)

EDIT: I googled it, its just meggering between phases I think?

Par1

sharkbite1983 wrote: »

Im booked in to the 2 day intensive course for a couple of weeks time, Id be confident Id know how to do any of those tests, except the Erroneous, which Ive never even heard of! Can anyone tell me whats that about?:)

EDIT: I googled it, its just meggering between phases I think?

An erroneous connection is a just a physical connection between circuits..easy enough to determine during the testing procedure and becomes apparent if one exists. That will be covered during course don't worry too much about it

hufpc8w3adnk65

Hi lads.
My boss is sending me on the course so I can sign off on certs etc my self after testing installations, im just wondering if there's any good walk through booklets or videos people have or know about too remind my self and get me back familiar with all the different test before I go on the course.im obviously fully qualified lads just looking for some refresher info

crasy dash

Have a look at this http://www.amazon.co.uk/Practical-Inspection-Certification-Electrical-Installations/dp/0080969070/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1425216077&sr=8-1&keywords=christopher+kitcher

I have read it and found it fairly accurate and i came from having no understanding of testing circuits.

A quick google wil help you find it:)

2011

MrMac84 wrote: »

Hi lads.
My boss is sending me on the course so I can sign off on certs etc my self after testing installations, im just wondering if there's any good walk through booklets or videos people have or know about too remind my self and get me back familiar with all the different test before I go on the course.im obviously fully qualified lads just looking for some refresher info

Are there any particular aspects that you are unsure of ?

hufpc8w3adnk65

2011 wrote: »

Are there any particular aspects that you are unsure of ?

Nothing in particular.. I've carried out all tests previously but it's more too read over/watch too remind my self of procedures, different settings etc

Anton Savage

Hi

Can someone help me with a regulations question?
I don't have a regs book handy and would like to know what exactly are the regulations 554.4 and 554.6 in relation to rcd protection on socket circuits. I know they are exemptions to the rule as in these type of circuits don't require rcd protection but I'm just need to know exactly the type of circuits they are and in what type of installation they would be used.
Thanks.

JoJo222

Hey guys, quick question.. on a periodic inspection report you have to record the max resistance of the protective conductor. That is a pre-connection test and the periodic inspection is on a live board which is in a factory, not to sound like a complete ape but how else would you test this? I've completed the RECI testing course and have tested a good few houses but am in a new job and am not very familiar with periodic inspections. would really appreciate any feedback.

brightspark

JoJo222 wrote: »

Hey guys, quick question.. on a periodic inspection report you have to record the max resistance of the protective conductor. That is a pre-connection test and the periodic inspection is on a live board which is in a factory, not to sound like a complete ape but how else would you test this? I've completed the RECI testing course and have tested a good few houses but am in a new job and am not very familiar with periodic inspections. would really appreciate any feedback.

Isn't it just a matter of using a long wander lead? Obviously you need to "null" the meter to compensate for the test leads.

JoJo222

in a factory environment? some of the boards are over 500m from the switch room