Extent of Electrical Installations, Limitations & Testing Methods  

 

FIXED WIRE TESTING (EICR) METHOD

The periodic Inspection is to confirm the continued safety and serviceability of the installation and to satisfy the duty-holder that the building remains compliant with the relevant aspects of the Electricity at Work Regulations Standards.

The Inspection and Testing will be carried out in accordance with the requirements of the following regulations and publications:

  • 17th Edition IEE Wiring Regulations including Guidance Note No. 3
  • Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
  • Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
  • The code of practice for in-service Inspection and Testing of electrical equipment.

General.

Upon arrival at site the electrician will introduce himself to the clients representative and explain the purpose and nature of theBwork to be carried out. This person will then be asked to accompany the electrician around the building, to point out any sensitive areas and introduce the IT manager who should confirm arrangements for shutting down the system.
The shut-down will normally be for one pre-arranged time at the end of the inspection.Wherever possible the communications room will be tested at the same time as the main switchgear so that the file servers are only shut down once.

It will be established that access can be gained to all relevant equipment and that keys are available or security codes known.
Special attention will be paid to the telephone system which will be checked to establish it has automatic start-up after mains interruption. If not arrangements will be made for it to be reset upon re-connection of the supply.

FIXED WIRE TESTING METHOD Cont….

A visual inspection of the electrical installation, which is not concealed, will be carried out prior to any testing. The inspection shall include a check on the condition of all electrical equipment and material and will take the following factors into account:

  • Safety
  • Wear and tear
  • Damage and corrosion Overloading and overheating Suitability and age
  • External influences

It shall be established that each circuit is adequately protected with the correct type and rating of fuse or circuit breaker.

The insulation and sheath of each conductor at a sample of termination points shall be inspected to determine its condition and correct installation.

The means of protection against direct contact will be verified and any deterioration of insulation, removal of barriers, obstacles or adverse alterations to enclosures, which could affect the effectiveness of the protection, will be recorded.

A sample 10% of all switching devices and socket outlets shall be internally inspected and if found to be defective the sample increased as IEE Guidance Note 3.

The marking and labelling of all switchgear, distribution boards and final circuits will be verified wherever possible.

Extent of the Electrical Installation Testing

Distribution Boards & Final Circuits

  1. 100% of distribution boards have undergone a thorough visual inspection.
  2. 100% of distribution boards have been tested for earth loop impedance and prospective short circuit current.
  3. Approximately 10% of lighting circuits have been tested for insulation resistance.
  4. Approximately 20% of power circuits have been tested for insulation resistance.
  5. 10% of final ring circuits tested for insulation have had their conductors tested for continuity where it was practicable.

Lighting

  1.  A light fitting in each circuit tested for insulation resistance, has received a thorough internal inspection.
  2.  100% of lighting circuits tested for insulation resistance have been given an earth loop impedance test at the furthest point in the circuit wherever it was possible.
  3. An additional sample of 5% of all light fittings have been given an earth loop impedance test.

Mains Socket Outlets

  1. 100% of sockets have received a thorough external inspection.
  2. 100% of socket outlets have been tested for earth loop impedance and polarity.

Fixed Appliances (Not operated from control panels)

  1. 100% of fixed appliances have received a thorough external inspection, whilst 10% have been internally inspected, this included convector heaters fed from fused spurs.
  2. 100% of fixed appliances have been tested for earth loop impedance.
  3. 10% of fixed appliances have been tested for insulation resistance.

Fixed Appliances (Operated by control panels)

  1. 100% of control panels have received a thorough internal inspection where it was possible.
  2. Earth loop impedance tests were performed at each control panel, and at each appliance fed from that panel where it was possible.
  3. A 10% sample of electrical terminations inside the control panels have been checked for tightness.

RCDs (Residual Current Devices)

  1. 100% of RCDs have been tested for tripping time at half rated, full rated, and five times rated tripping current, across positive and negative cycles.

Main Switchgear & Circuits

20% of all circuits (sub mains) from main switchgear to local distribution or dedicated plant has
been inspected for the following:-

  1. Insulation resistance.
  2. Main switchgear has been internally inspected.
  3. Cable sizes have been checked for current carrying capacity.
  4. Circuit protection devices have been checked for discrimination.
  5. Earth loop impedance & prospective short circuit current have been measured as close to the origin of the earth supply as possible.

General

100% of circuit wiring have where possible and relevant been visually inspected.
Technical Notes

  1. Where earth loop impedance test results are above that specified in IEE Wiring Regulations, CPC/50 volt drop calculations have been carried out where it was practicable.
  2. 100% of fixed appliances/plant not subject to an insulation test, may have been given an earth loop impedance test using a different R1 (phase conductor) from that used to supply the appliance itself.

Limitations & Exclusions

Testing and inspection has been undertaken where it was reasonable and practical to do so,
Without dismantling the fabric of the building. Areas and systems that were not considered are:- IT server etc unless access granted

  1.  Heating and ventilation equipment and controls.
  2. Security, fire and door entry systems.
  3. Refrigeration Equipment.
  4. Any circuits incorporating solid state controls.
  5. Point of Sale Equipment.
  6. Inaccessible sockets for refrigeration.
  7. No insulation resistance readings to be completed on lighting circuits which are controlled via trend on any other BMS controlled system within installation (if applicable)
  8. No testing of lift services and shaft areas
  9. No testing of Fire and Alarm circuitry beyond original supply source and testing of plant services from isolation point unless otherwise instructed by client
  10. No testing of sub mains to tenants services within installation
  11. No Lifting of floor boards or inspection of loft space.
  12. No testing of HVAC control cables. Routing of cables in prescribed zones or within mechanical

protection.

 

 

 

 

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