Guidance Note 3: Inspection & Testing (Electrical Regulations)

Product Information

The test is ‘open-book,’ which means candidates can bring supportive literature into the examination hall or ‘virtual’ environment. There are two pieces of key documentation that candidates should be in possession of whilst conducting their exam. These are Guidance Note 3: Inspection and Testing, 8th Edition, and the IET 18th edition wiring regulations guide (bs7671). Both of these items relate directly to the subject matter, and will be extremely useful throughout the multiple-choice assessment. They will also have been readily deployed during the initial course structure.

Predicted measured resistance = r y//r g = 0.3515×0.6511 ÷ (0.3515+0.6511) = 0.2283 Ω Step 3, resistance at Test Point 3 Whilst BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 doesn’t require other types of RCD testing, however additional tests are not precluded and may be useful for fault finding purposes, these tests could include: In some cases, the inspector may not be able to reach a conclusion and further investigation will be required. In which case the observation will be attributed with F/I. The classification of further investigation should not be used to locate the problem, it should only be used where it is reasonably expected to reveal a dangerous or potentially dangerous situation. As indicated by Regulation 622.1, matters such as those listed, as well as the findings and recommendations of the previous periodic inspection, if any, should be taken into account when deciding on the period to the next inspection. BS EN IEC 61557-6:2021 Electrical safety in low voltage distribution systems up to 1 000 V a.c. and 1 500 V d.c. Equipment for testing, measuring or monitoring of protective measures. Effectiveness of residual current devices (RCD) in TT, TN and IT system.

What is an EICR?

All mechanical or electrical equipment has a finite lifespan. For RCDs, part of the product standard test procedure is to ensure a minimum number of operating cycles. BS EN 61008 requires RCDs having I Δn > 10 mA are subjected to 2000 operating cycles, each operating cycle consisting of a closing operation followed by an opening operation. This is a combination of manual operation, using the test button and using a test current of I Δn. Delegates will need to provide answers on all subjects connected to the design, verification, inspection, testing, and certification stages of electrical instalments. Section B is more terminology-hungry than Section A, so individuals should afford special focus on using correct terms in this part of the exam. It’s therefore worth performing a comprehensive review of both the wiring regulations and Guidance Note 3, prior to sitting this test. Candidates should particularly focus on GN3, as this offers the biggest steer on electrotechnical theory and practice in this discipline. Whilst deficiencies observed on fire alarm and emergency lighting systems during the inspection may be worthy of a general note, a classification code should not be attributed. Summary Within a 30-minute period, candidates will be asked to visually examine the installation, and identify twelve faults that are inconsistent with bs7671 standards. Therefore, in essence, individuals are being challenged to find and articulate an issue, on average, every two and a half minutes. This may sound challenging, but, as this task is purely visual, many faults will likely be fairly obvious on viewing.

Questions often arise concerning the competence of persons carrying out inspection and testing. Sadly, less than scrupulous contractors will knowingly send out non-competent persons, such as apprentices, friends and inexperienced electricians, to carry out inspection and testing. Regulation 16 of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 requires persons carrying out electrical work to be competent. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) also provides guidance on these regulations regarding technical knowledge and experience of working on particular systems. Predicted measured resistance = 0.2766×0.7260 ÷ (0.2766+0.7260) = 0.2003 Ω Step 3, resistance at Test Point 2 Functional testing of switches and isolators etc to ensure proper function should also take place including the operation of any present RCD integral test buttons.Periodic Inspection and Testing and completion of an Electrical Installation Condition Report ‘EICR’ Further information on RCD testing can be found in IET Guidance Note 3 Inspection and Testing and PD IEC TR 62350:2006 Guidance for the correct use of residual current-operated protective devices (RCDs) for household and similar use which states that ‘ The testing current should be applied between the upstream and downstream terminal of the RCD’, see Figure 4 extracted from IET Guidance Note 3 Inspection and Testing. Under the same time constraints as the earlier assessment, delegates will be required to again visually identify twelve faults that do not comply with the bs7671 regulation. These allude to the same issues articulated earlier. Again, it’s worth remembering that the previous list was not exhaustive. Periodic inspection and testing with resultant certification End-to-end testing and inspection process, concluding with the accurate completion of an official Electrical Installation Certificate.