Section 2 visual inspection

2.1 general
A visual inspection should be carried out before, or in association with, testing and where practicable be
made before the relevant part of the electrical installation is placed in service.
Where the visual inspection of a part of the electrical installation is not practicable at the completion of
the work, e.g. not accessible due to enclosure in the building structure, consideration should be given to
inspecting that part during the course of the installation.
2.2 check list
The following items provide a guide to the matters to be checked during the visual inspection to assess
that the relevant requirements of AS!"S #$$$ are satisfied%
a& 'eneral %
i. (rotection against direct contact with live parts, e.g. insulation and enclosure.
ii. (rotection against indirect contact with e)posed conductive part, e.g. double insulation or
insolating transformers.
iii. (rotection against ha*ardous parts, e.g. enclosure, guarding or screening of flammable
materials, hot surfaces and parts that ma+ cause ph+sical in,ur+.
iv. (rotection against spread of fire, e.g. penetration of fire barriers.
v. 'eneral condition of the electrical equipment, e.g. signs of damage that could impair
safe operation, disconnection of unused electrical equipment.
b& -onsumers mains%
i. -urrent carr+ing capacit+.
ii. .oltage drop.
iii. /nderground installation conditions, e.g. enclosure, depth of burial, mechanical
protection.
iv. Aerial installation conditions.
v. -onnection of wiring.
vi. (rotection against e)ternal influences.
c& Switchboards %
i. 0ocation, e.g. access and egress.
ii. (rotective devices, e.g. overload and residual current rating, fault current rating.
iii. 1solating devices, e.g. main switches.
iv. -onnecting devices, e.g. neutral bars, earth bars and active links.
v. -onnection and fi)ing of wiring and switchgear.
vi. 1dentification and lebelling of electrical equipment.
vii. (rotection against e)ternal influences.
d& Wiring s+stem %
i. -onductor si*e, e.g. current2carr+ing capacit+ and voltage drop.
ii. 1dentification of cable cores.
iii. Adequate support and fi)ing.
iv. -onnections and enclosures.
v. (articular installation conditions, e.g. underground, aerial, emergenc+ s+stems.
vi. Segregation from other services and electrical installations.
vii. (rotection against e)ternal influences, e.g. enclosure.
e& 3lectrical equipment %
i. 1solation and switching devices for protection against in,ur+ from mechanical movement
devices and motors.
ii. 1solation and switching devices for protection against thermal effects, e.g. motors, room
heaters, water heaters.
iii. Switching devices for particular electrical equipment, e.g. socket2outlets, cooking
appliances.
iv. (articular installation conditions, e.g. locations affected b+ water, e)plosive atmospheres,
e)tra2low voltage, high voltage.
v. -ompliance with required Standard.
vi. -onnection, support and fi)ing.
vii. (rotection against e)ternal influences.
f& 3arthing %
i. 43! connection.
ii. 3arth electrode.
iii. 3arthing conductors, e.g. si*e, identification.
iv. 3quipotential bonding conductors, e.g. si*e, identification.
v. -onnections, ,oints and terminations.
vi. (rotection against e)ternal influences.
vii. -onnection to earthing arrangements for other s+stems.
viii. -reation of earthed situation that ma+ require earthing of additional electrical equipment.
S3-T15! # T3STS
#.1 3A6T7 -5!T1!/1T8 A!9 63S1STA!-3
#.1.1 5b,ective
3arth continuit+ and resistance tests are necessar+ to ensure that the earthing s+stem has been installed in
an appropriate manner and the resistance of the protective earthing conductor is low enough to permit the
passage of sufficient current to cause circuit protective devices to operate if there is a fault between live
parts, other than the neutral, and e)posed conductive parts.
!5T3 % -lause #.: further describes how protective earthing conductors form part of the fault
loop and wh+ the earth2loop impedance is to be low enough to allow sufficient current to flow to
cause the protective device to operate within a specified disconnection time.
#.1.2 6equirements
AS!"S #$$$ requires that where the 43! earthing s+stem is emplo+ed, the following conditions appl+ %
a& The resistance of the main earthing conductor and an+ equipotential bonding conductor shall be
not more than $.: ;.
b& The resistance of protective earthing conductors shall be low enough to permit the passage of
current necessar+ to operate the circuit protective device. This condition is satisfied when the
fault2loop impedance is low enough to allow sufficient current to flow in the fault loop to cause
the protective device to operate within a specified disconnection time.
!5T3S %
1. As described in -lause #.:, the ma)imum allowable resistance of the protective earthing
conductor associated with an+ particular circuit depends on the t+pe and rating of the
protective device and the impedance of the live conductors that comprise the circuit in which
the fault occurs.
2. 4a)imum resistance values <6e& for earthing conductors related to si*e of conductor and
rating of associated protective device are given in Table #.2. These values ma+ be used when
testing for earth continuit+.
#.1.# Test procedures
The test procedures below show methods of testing the continuit+ and resistance of earthing and bonding
conductors. The+ are shown in
a& =igure #.1 for the main earthing conductor> and
b& =igure #.2 for protective earthing and equipotential bonding conductors.
#.1.? Testing considerations
These could include the following %
a& 1n some situations, such as the connection of equipotential bonding conductors to water piping or
swimming pools, the terminations of conductors ma+ not be accessible due to further building
activities or enclosure. 1f this is e)pected to occur, testing at the termination should be carried out
at the time of initial connection or other convenient time when the termination is still accessible.
Where this is not practicable, the inaccessible connection ma+ be proven b+ testing at a more
convenient point on the parts which are to be earthed or bonded b+ the conductor.
b& 1f the insulation resistance test, in accordance with -lause #.2, is not satisfactor+ <e.g. a value of
less than 1 4; is obtained & earth continuit+ and resistance tests will need to be repeated after
an+ fault is rectified.
=1'/63 #.1 63S1STA!-3 T3ST 5= 4A1! 3A6T71!' -5!9/-T56
T3ST S3@/3!-3 %
1 A 3nsure the consumers mains are not connected to suppl+
2 A 9isconnect main earthing conductor or 43! link from the neutral bar
# A Set meter to *ero ; with leads connected together
? A -onnect one test lead to disconnected main earthing conductor or 43! link
: A -onnect other test lead to main earthing conductor at earth electrode
B A Test that resistance does not e)ceed $.: ;
C A 9isconnect test leads and reconnect the main earthing conductor or 43! link at the neutral bar
!5T3 % !umbers indicate test sequence.
=1'/63 #.2 63S1STA!-3 T3ST =56 (65T3-T1.3 3A6T71!' A!9 3@/1(5T3!T1A0
D5!91!' -5!9/-T56S
T3ST S3@/3!-3 % (rotective earthing conductor tests %
1 A 1solate suppl+ and disconnect the neutral conductor of the portion of the installation under test
2 A Set meter to *ero ; with leads connected together
# A -onnect one test lead to the main earthing conductor or 43! link at the neutral bar
? A -onnect other test lead to each part <one at the time& of the installation required to be earthed
: A Test that resistance in each test complies with the requirements of -lause #.1.2
B A 9isconnect test leads and reconnect neutral conductor
3quipotential bonding conductor tests %
C A Set meter to *ero ; with leads connected together
E A -onnect test leads to the ends of equipotential bonding conductor under test
F A The required test result should not e)ceed $.: ;
1$ A 9isconnect test leads and repeat steps E and F for each equipotential bonding conductor
#.2 1!S/0AT15! 63S1STA!-3
#.2.1 5b,ective
1nsulation resistance test are necessar+ to ensure that the insulation resistance between %
a& All live parts, including live conductors and the electrical installation earth> and
b& 3ach of the live conductors of consumers mains and submains.
is adequate to ensure the integrit+ of the insulation. This is to prevent electric shock ha*ards from
inadvertent contact, fire ha*ards from short2circuits and equipment damage.
The integrit+ of the insulation is stressed b+ appl+ing a direct current at :$$ ..
#.2.2 6equirements
The insulation resistance between the items specified in -lause #.2.1 <a& and <b& shall be not less than 1
4;.
The value of 1 4; ma+ be obtained with appliances disconnected. Also this value ma+ be reduced to2
i& $.$1 4; for sheathed heating elements of appliances> or
ii& A value permitted in the relevant safet+ Standard applicable to the electrical equipment.
#.2.# Test procedures
Tests for insulation resistance are shown in the following %
a& =igure #.# for testing a complete installation.
b& =igure #.? for testing consumers mains and submains.
c& =igure #.: for testing a single circuit.
#.2.? Testing considerations
Testing considerations include the following %
a& 1f suppl+ is available, care must be e)ercised to ensure that the test equipment is not connected to
energi*ed parts. 4ain switches, circuit2breakers, residual current devices and fuses can be opened
to disconnect most circuits. -onsumers mains must be de2energi*ed and isolated before testing.
b& Where additional 43! connections e)ist, the+ shall be disconnected before conducting the test.
c& 1f earthing arrangements for functional purposes are provided as part of the electrical installation,
an+ connections to the protective earthing arrangements should be disconnected for this test.
d& 1f the insulation resistance test is not satisfactor+ <e.g. a value of less than 1 4; is obtained&
earth continuit+ and resistance test of -lause #.1 will need to be repeated after the fault is
rectified.
e& Where electronic devices are installed as part of the fi)ed installation, care should be taken to
avoid damaging such devices b+ overvoltage. 9amage ma+ be avoided b+ carr+ing out insulation
resistance tests between neutral conductors and earth and then between active conductors and
earth, or b+ connecting the active and neutral conductors together and testing between the
conductors and earth. These tests are to be carried out with the neutral conductor disconnected
from the 43! s+stem.
f& Where the earth sheath return <3S6& s+stem is used, the neutral conductor is not to be connected
to an+ active conductor for the purpose of the insulation resistance test.
g& All switch positionscombinations need to be tested in two2wa+ and intermediate applications and
on the load side of devices such as contactors.
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!5T -5!!3-T39&
T3ST S3@/3!-3 %
1 A 9isconnect portable appliances and ensure all circuit switches are 5!
2 A Goin all live conductors of consumers mains together
# A Turn main switch<es& 5!
? A 3nsure all circuit fuses are 1! and circuit2breakers 5!
: A 9isconnect 43! link at neutral bar
B A Set meter to read 4;
C A -onnect one test lead to main earthing conductor at earth bar
E A -onnect other test lead to neutral bar
F A Test that resistance complies with -lause #.2.2
1$ A 1f test result is not satisfactor+, test consumers mains, submains and each subcircuit separatel+
11 A 9isconnect test leads, reconnect 43! link, separate consumers mains, reconnect appliances
=1'/63 #.? 1!S/0AT15! 63S1STA!-3 T3ST 5= -5!S/436S 4A1!S 56 S/D4A1!S
<S/((08 !5T -5!!3-T39&
T3ST S3@/3!-3 %
1 A 3nsure all live conductors are disconnected from suppl+
2 A Turn main or isolating switch<es& 5!
# A 3nsure all circuit fuses are 5/T and circuit2breakers 5==
? A 9isconnect suppl+ neutral from neutral bar
: A Set meter to read 4;
B A -onnect one test lead to main earthing conductor at earth bar
C A -onnect other test lead to each live conductor in turn
E A Test that resistance complies with -lause #.2.2
F A -onnect one test lead to disconnected suppl+ neutral
1$ A -onnect other test lead to each active conductor in turn
11 A Test that resistance complies with -lause #.2.2
12 A 9isconnect test leads, reconnect suppl+ neutral, consumers mains or submains conductors
!5T3S %
1& Test can be carried out on each conductor separatel+.
2& !umbers indicate test sequence.
=1'/63 #.: 1!S/0AT15! 63S1STA!-3 T3ST 5= S1!'03 -16-/1T
T3ST S3@/3!-3%
1 A remove fuse or turn of circuit2breaker protecting circuit under test
2 A ensure all circuit switches are 5!
# A disconnect neutral conductor of circuit under test from neutral bar
? A ,oin all live circuit conductors under test together
: A set meter to read 4;
B A connect one test lead to main earthing conductor at earth bar
C A connect other test lead to live circuit conductors under test
E A test that resistance complies with clause #.2.2
F A if insulation resistance is not satisfactor+, test circuit wiring and appliances separatel+
1$ A disconnect test leads, separate live circuit conductors and reconnect circuit neutral conductor
#.# (50A61T8
#.#.1 5b,ective
(olarit+ testing is necessar+ to ensure that no shock ha*ard arises from the incorrect connection of
active, neutral and earthing conductors. This testing is to prevent %
a& The transposition of active and neutral conductors of the consumers mains or submains resulting
in the electrical installation earthing s+stem becoming energi*ed> and
b& -ombinations of incorrect active, neutral and earthing conductor connections resulting in the
e)posed conductive parts of the electrical installation becoming energi*ed> and
c& The connection of switches in neutral conductors, e)cept where permitted, resulting in parts of
appliances, such as heating elements and lampholders, remaining energi*ed when the switches are
in the 5== position.
#.#.2 6equirements
1n general %
a& 3ver+ single2pole switch or circuit2breaker shall operate in the active conductor of the circuit in
which it is connected> and
b& A switch or circuit2breaker of a multi2phase circuit shall operate in all active conductors of the
circuit in which it is connected> and
c& Socket2outlets which accommodate flat2pin plugs shall be connected so that, when viewed from
the front of the socket2outlet, earth, active and neutral are connected in a clockwise direction> and
d& All neutral conductors shall be connected to the consumers mains neutral> and
e& The consumers mains neutral shall be connected to the neutral bar of the main switchboard.
#.#.# Test procedures
The following test procedures show methods of testing polarit+. These are shown in %
a& =igures #.B to #.F, where the suppl+ is not available> and
b& =igures #.1$ to #.12, where the suppl+ is available.
1n all situations earthing and insulation resistance should have been established b+ earlier tests and
43! link should be intact.
#.#.? (ossible problems
0ow impedance test equipment, e.g. test lamps, ma+ not operate correctl+ when used in con,unction
with an independent earth electrode not connected to the electrical installation earthing s+stem.
=1'/63 #.B (50A61T8 T3ST 5= -5!S/436S 4A1!S <S/((08 !5T -5!!3-T39&
T3ST S3@/3!-3 %
1 A ensure conductors are disconnected from suppl+
2 A turn main switch 5==
# A where metering equipment is not installed use bridging conductors
? A set meter to read ; with leads connected together
: A connect one test lead to end of neutral conductor of consumer mains at point of suppl+
B A connect other test lead to neutral bar
C A test that neutral conductor resistance to neutral bar is A $ ;
E A disconnect test leads
F A connect one test lead to end of active conductor of consumers mains at point of suppl+
1$ A connect other test lead to line side of the main switch
11 A test that active conductor resistance is A $ ;
12 A disconnect test leads and remove metering equipment bridging conductors if used