TESTING AND COMMISSIONING 8 Information
Before carrying out the inspection and test
Initial Inspection
Introduction
The following notes provide a detailed
description of the procedures required to
carry out an initial inspection of an electrical
installation. Substantial reference has been
made to the lEE Wiring Regulations
(BS7671), the On Site Guide and lEE
Guidance Note No.3 and it is recommended
that wherever possible these documents are
referred to should clarification be required.
As stated previously the most important
considerations prior to carrying out any
inspection and test procedure is that all the
required information is available, the person
carrying out the procedure is competent to
do so and that all safety requirements have
been met. Forward planning is also a major
consideration and it is essential that suitable
inspection checklists have been prepared
and that appropriate certification is available
for completion. It is also important to realise
that a large proportion of 'any new
installation will be hidden from view once the
building fabric has been completed and
therefore it is preferable to carry out a
certain amount of visual inspection
throughout the installation process: e.g.
conduit, cable tray or trunking is often
installed either above the ceiling or below
the floor and once the ceiling or floor tiles
have been fitted it is difficult and often
expensive to gain access for inspection
purposes. The same applies to testing and it
may be advisable to carry out tests such as
earth continuity during construction rather
than after the building has been completed.
It must be remembered however that when
visual inspection and/or tests are carried out
during the construction phase, the results
must be recorded on the appropriate
checklists or test certificates.
It is' also worth noting that although the
major part of any inspection will be visual
other human senses may be employed: e.g.
a piece of equipment with moving parts may
generate an usual noise if it is not working
correctly or an electrical device which
overheats. will be hot to touch as well as
giving off a distinctive smell. The senses of
hearing, touch and smell will assist in
detecting these.
All these points will be discussed in detail on
the following pages.
of an installation it is essential that the
person carrying out the work be provided
with the following information:
a) The maximum demand of the installation
expressed in amperes per phase
together with details of the number and
type of live conductors both for the
source of energy and for each ciJcuit to
be used within the installation, (e.g.
single-phase two-wire a.c. or three
phase four-wire a.c. etc).
b) The general characteristics of the supply
such as : .
. the nominal voltage(Uo).
. the nature of the current (I) and its
frequency (Hz).
. the prospective short circuit current
at the origin of the installation (kA).
. the earth fault loop impedance (Ze)
of that part of the system external to
the installation. .
. the type and rating of the overcurrent
device acting at the origin of the
installation.
If this information is not known it must be
established either by calculation,
measurement, inquiry or inspection.
c) The type of earthing arrangement used
for the installation e.g. TN-S, TN-C-S, TT
etc.
d) The type and composition of each circuit
(Le. details of each sub-circuit, what it is
feeding, the number and size of
condl(ctors and the type of wiring used).
e) The location. and description of all
devices installed for the purposes of
protection, isolation and switching (e.g.
fuses/circuit breakers etc).
f) Details of the method selected to
prevent danger from shock in the event
of an earth fault (This will invariably be
protection by earthed equipotential
bonding and automatic disconnection of
the supply.)
g) The presence of any sensitive electronic
device which may be susceptible to
oamage by the application of 500 voits
d.c when carrying out insulation
resistance tests.
The above information may be gained from
a variety of sources such as the project
specification, contract drawings, as fitted
drawings or distribution board schedules. If
such documents are not available, then the
person ordering the work should be the most common form of identification is by
approached. means of coloured insulation or sleeving. It
should be noted in particular that only
protective conductors shall be identified by a
Questions combination of the colours green and yellow.

The nominal voltage of a single phase

supply to domestic premises in this country Questions
is 2..3.0....................
The colour used to identify t~e neutral
The nature of tbe current is.A0..and its conductor of an a.c three phase circuit wired
frequency is .5u. H G in non-flexible ~able is
.bltJ.L.K~ .......
Scope The colour used to identify the phase
BS7671 states that as far as reasonably
practicable, an inspection shall be carried ~.~~~.~~t.b.&~~.i~I.~. ~.~~~.i.~
out to verify that:
All equipment and materials used in the The colour used to identify the neutral
installation is of the correct type and conductor in a three core flexible cable is
complies with the' appropriate British . . . . . . . . . . bLt..J.J2../. . .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Standards or acceptable equivalent.

All parts of the installation. have been
correctly selected and installed.,
No part of the installation is visibly damaged 3. Cable Routes
or otherwise defective. . Cables should be routed out of harms way
That the installation is suitable for the and protected against mechanical damage
surrounding environmental conditions. where necessary. Permitted cable routes
are clearly defined in the 'on site guide' or
Question alternatively cables should be installed in
earthed metal conduit or trunking.
4. Current Carrying Capacity
~~.N3~ ~~ff.:J£~~...~~~.~: Where practicable the size of cable used
...ur
. ':=I~
f"" {}." ~ '~i1S. . . . . . :I.~..~.. . LUA.J.'e-if.t1
11'<'(
."\'\'\l'"... """"".~;\i~...
c:. ill,' /\(1 t' w...
::Jv..~ .U.;\\..
.. .
"J
..MQ\.1..
'"

,{j'1""
. ;Vi;,
.
should be checked for current carrying
capacity and voltage drop based upon
information provided by the installation'
designer.
Inspection Requirements 5. Verification of Polarity
In order to meet the above requirements the A check must be made that all single pole
inspection process should include the devices are connected in the phase
checking of at least the relevant items from conductor only.
the following list: 6. Accessories and Equipment
1. Connection of Conductors Accessories and equipment should be
Every connection between conductors or checked to ensure they have been
between conductors and equipment must be connected correctly including correct
electrically continuous and mechanically polarity.
sound, We must also make sure that all
7. Selection and Erection to Minimise the
connections' are adequately enclosed but
accessible where required by the regulations Spread of Fire
2. Identification of Conductors A check must be niade (preferably during
A check should be made that each construction) that fire barriers, suitable seals
conductor is identified in accordance with and/or other means of protection against
the requirements of B87671 Table 51A and thermal effects have been provided as
Table 51B. Although numbered sleeves or necessary to meet the requirements of the
discs may be used in special circumstances, regulations.
8. Protection Against Electric Shock Electrical separation.
A check must be made that the All these methods were described
requirements of the regulations have been fully in the Stage.1 Study Notes
met for the methodof protectionused.The under the heading of Earthing and
mostcommonof these are describedbelow: protection. (EP 4)

a) Protection against direct contact Indirect contact is where persons or

(defined as the contact of persons or livestock come into contact with an exposed
livestock with live parts). conductive part which has become live
Insulation - although protection by under fault conditions. Examples of.-exposed
insulation is the usual method of conductive parts include metal trunking,
protection against direct contact other metal conduit or exposed metal parts of an
methods can be used. However, appliance such as an electric kettle. Should
where insulation should be present it the insulation of any of the live parts within
should be checked to ensure that no the kettle become defective then the metal
live conductors have been left casing may become live and anyone
exposed. touching the kettle would be at risk of
Barriers - where live parts are receiving a dangerous electric shock.
protected by barriers or enclosures The most commonly used method of
(e.g. bare bus.-bars enclosed in a protection against indirect contact is
metal bus-bar chamber) these should earthing, equipotential bonding and
be checked to ensure that all covers automatic disconnection of the supply and it
have been fitted and all fjxing devices these requirements that should be checked
are secure., at the initial inspection stage.
Obstacles - protection by obstacles Earthing arrangements: earthing conductors,
provides protection only - against main equipotential bonding conductors,
unintentional contact with live circuit protective conductors and
conductors. If this method is used the supplementary bonding conductors should
area should be accessible only to all be checked to ensure that they have
skilled persons or persons under been correctly installed, are of the correct
supervision. size and are correctly labelled. (Typical
Out of reach - placing live parts out earthing arrangements for domestic
of reach can also provide protection installations are shown diagrammatically in
against direct contact although the 'on-site guide' or for other types of
increased distances may be installation the appropriate size of earthing
necessary where long or bulky and bonding conductors should be
conducting objects are likely to be determined in accordance with 8S7671
handled in the vicinity. The chapter 54.)
requirements for this method are
given more fully in Appendix 3 of the
Memorandum of Guidance to the
Electricity at Work Act. Questions

Except where PME conditions apply the

b) Protection against indirect contact main equipotential bonding conductor must
(defined as the contact of persons or have a minimum cross-sectional area of
livestock - with exposed conductive ".."""'.."""""'" ".""""'"
parts which have become Jive under
fault conditions). -
Where PME conditions do apply and the
Methods of protection against indirect supply neutral is less than 352mm the main
contact are given in 8S7671 as: equipotentialbonding conductor must be not
Earthed equipotential bonding and less than... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . ... . ..
automatic disconnection of supply.
Use of class 11 equipment.
Non conducting location.
Earth-free local equipotential bonding

@ JTL 270 REV 3 MAY 2002 T}1.C:

".1
 c) Protection against both direct and a.c. between conductors or 600 volts a.c.
indirect contact between conductors and earth.
Separate extra Iow voltage (SEL V) is the
most common method of providing Questions
protection against both direct and indirect
contact. Requirements for this type of The normal supply voltage in this country
system include: falls into the category of
An isolated source of supply - e.g. a safety- ... .bo.1':'0I...'L........
isolating transformer to BS3535. Also An intruder alarm operating from a 9 volt
numbered BS EN 607421996. battery would fall into the category of
Electrical separation, which means no ..\7cu:~1 I '-
electrical connection between the SEL V
circuit and higher voltage systems. No
connection with earth or the exposed 10. Isolating'and Switching Devices
conductive parts or protective conductors of 887671 requires ,that effective means
other systems. suitably positioned and ready to operate
shall be provided so that all voltage may be
cut off from every installation, every circuit
d)Specialised systems within the installation and from all
Non-conducting locations and earth-free equipment, as may be necessary to prevent
situations are specialised systems, which or remove danger. This means that switches
would only normatiy be used where and/or isolating devices of the correct rating
specified and controlled by a suitably must be installed as appropriate to meet the
qualified electrical engineer. Although it is above requirements. It may be advisable
useful to be aware of the nattire of these where practicable to carry out an isolation
systems you are unlikely to be asked to exercise to check that effective isolation can
carry out an inspection and test of these be achieved. This should include switching
types of installation at this stage of your off. locking-off and testing to verify that the
career. circuit is dead and no other source of supply
is present.

11. Under Voltage Protection

9. Prevention of Mutual Detrimental
Influence
Account must be taken of the proximity of
other electrical services of a different voltage
band and of non-electrical services and
influences.
E.g. fire alarm and emergency lighting
circuits must be separated from other cables
and from each other and Band 1 and Band 2
circuits must not be present in the same
enclosure or wiring system unless they are
either segregated or wired with cables
suitable for the highest voltage present.
Mixed categories of circuits may be
contained in multicore cables subject to
certain requirements.
Band 1 circuits are circuits that are
nominally extra-Jow voltage i.e. not
exceeding 50 volt a.c or 120 volts d.c. e.g.
telecommunications or data and signaling.
Band 2 circuits are circuits that are
nominally Iow voltage Le. exceeding extra-
Iow voltage but not exceeding 1000 volts
Suitable precautions must be taken where a
loss or lowering of voltage or a subsequent
restoration of voltage could cause danger.
The most common situation would be where
a motor driven machine stops due to a loss
of voltage and unexpectedly re-starts when
the voltage is restored unless precautions
such as the installation of a motor starter
containing a contactor are employed.
Regulations require that where unexpected
re-starting of a motor may cause danger, the
provision of a motor starter designed to
prevent automatic re-starting must be
provided.
12. Labelling
A check should be carried out to ensure that
labels and warning notices as required by
8S7671 have been fitted e.g. !abeting of
circuits, MCBs, RCDs fuses and isolating
devices. Periodic inspection notices advising
of the recommended date of the next
inspection and warning notices referring to
earthing and bonding connections.

@JTL 270 REV 3 MAY 2002 T&C8-4

 Inspection Schedule
All the previous items should be inspected
Question and the results noted on an Inspection
Schedule an example of which is given
A permanent label must be attached to below. Where items are not applicable to the
every earthing and bonding connection with type of installation being inspected (e.g.
different methods of protection against
direct and indirect contact) these should
:~.~.~~~4...~..~C!1J
... .d.{)...Da';( ...~2-mCtt . either be ruled out or marked N/A (not
applicable). Guidance notes qn the
completion of the Inspection Schedule are
13. Selection of Equipment Appropriate given in Section 10 of these notes.
to External Influences -
All equipment must be selected as suitpble
for the environment in which it is likely to Inspection Schedule
operate. Items to be considered are:
J.C.nnw'...1",",,"" '" H")N.~"..""", '"..'.n,
ambient temperature, presence of external I. Idc."rK"" .r '.n""'"
3.R..".. .1ub'" ,. "I, w."
0
U .,. ;Iv,E.rth-h" 1«.,"""""'"
heat sources, presence of water, likelihood " p'.""" .."." ..m."
,. Sd,,"'. .1,...""" I"
bondi..
P"..",.f", r","""""" -'
of corrosion, ingress of foreign bodies, m,..' .n' ..II~. 'cop bon".., "'"
,. C'n~... .Ioi.."...I, '<Tk" 0 k (vi EI"ori..' 5<p"....
impact, vibration, flora, fauna, radiation, ,. p"" ".",'or .niy
.. C.",., " of...... .. P""" .r ,',"'m,n..'
building use and structure. ..." '.mpO".
7.pux.".r Onb..rim.n' "
i.O ,
Pmlm'ry .r ...~k""'" ""","
" "... , 'Ou"",..T"..
.. M"." .r p,.."o.. ..,i... ,b... 5<..nO..01 I...
Bu. , O".i..
... P,.""',, ...i... bot."m' 'n' 5< 110. .r n" ...~..,
,""""n..." ,m"l"" """ ,i",';"
14. Access to Switchgear and I;quipment SEI.Y (I
C
'0. P,~m.f .p,...n... n
Um""'.' .r ""h.",.I ..u", ,~" I.,, ~"""'"
8S7671 requires that every .piece of rI..""", """""""'"
p,,"',In. d<Vlt"
equipment that requires operation or 'b.P..t"tln..",... "" ..".., 12.C..",... ..."...r "t'"
,...,.".. ,fti" ",.. ... mn."~" "'v'm
8m"" " ...'"'.", 0 ,., R,,"'u' ,.",., Onim n
attention must be installed so that adequate Ob ", U (b)Qv",.",",'"", u
""",.".f ",,0 [) f).I..","",.r ""u"" 'n',., "
and safe means of access and working PF.I.V 0 ,.itoh"..' tumi..b
H.5<1" 01'qui,m... w""',
space are provided. k. P,.""i.. .."." i..."" "..." u r.. ,,"ml 1.0...",
'" (I)Ea".'".q.ipo""'" b.n"" 1<.Ad<q.." "'~ ,. -,"""",
u' ..tom.'"dI""""".n 0 u' ,q.ipm,"
15. Presence of Diagrams, Charts and ,.. p"""", "'-" ,,'u....
Other Similar Information
P,~.., ,r bondl.,"""to" 0 .- ...ni.,""
.""",, .f ,,"hi.. ".'."nn 17.""",..1 ~ """,...,
All distribution boards should be provided .""... .rp..t"." "." 11.'-", m"""
with a distribution board schedule which ... R"ui"m.."r" ""O.I'nu".m
provides information regarding types of "-HI}"".I"""'q., , u Si,n'", D.."
circuits, number and size of conductors, type
of wiring etc. These .should be attached
within or adjacent to each distribution board.

16. Erection Methods

Correct methods of installation should be
checked, in particular fixings of switchgear,
cables, conduit etc, which must be adequate
and suitable for the environment.
 Inspection Checklists 11. All accessories of adequate current
To ensure that all the requirements of the rating.
regulations have been met, inspection
checklists should be drawn up and used 12. Accessories suitable for all conditions
appropriate to the type of installation being likely to be encountered.
inspected. Examples of suitable checklists
are given below:

Joint Boxes (tick if satisfactory) Socket Outlet (tick if satisfactory)

'~

1. All joint boxes comply with the 1. Comply with appropriate British
appropriate British Standard. Standard.

2. Joints accessible for inspection where 2. Mounting height above floor or working.
required. surface is correct.

3. All conductors correctly connected. 3. All sockets have correct polarity.

4. Joints protected against mechanical 4. Sockets not installed in bathroom or

damage. shower room (unless shaver type
socket).

5. Sockets not within 2.5m of a shower in a

Wiring Accessories (General ~ room other than a bathroom.
Requirements) (lick if satisfac~ory)
6. Sockets controlled by a switch if the
1. All accessories comply with the supply is direct current.
appropriate British Standard
7. Sockets correctly protected where floor
2. Boxes and other enclosures securely mounted.
fastened.
8. Circuit protective conductor connected
3. Metal boxes and enclosures correctly directly to the earthing terminal
earthed. of the socket outlet on a sheathed wiring
installation.
4. Flush boxes not projecting above
surface of wall. 9. Earthing tail provided fr:om the earthed
metal box to the earthing
5. No sharp edges which could cause terminal of the socket outlet.
damage to cable insulation.
10. Socket outlets not used to supply a
6. Non sheathed cables not exposed water heater with un insulated elements.
outside box or enclosure.

7. Conductors correctly identified.

Lightjng_c;ontrol~ (ti~~ if s(3tisfc;actory)
8. Bare protective conductors sleeved
. green and yellow. 1. Light switches comply with appropriate
British Standard.
1

9. All terminals tight and contain all strands

1
of stranded conductor. 2. Switches suitably located.
! .
in
10. Cord grips correctly used to prevent 3.. Single-pole switches connected
strain on terminals. phase conductor only.

@ JTL 270 RF\! 1 MAY ?om T!l.rsu::

 ('---'" 1
". ,.

4. Correct colour coding of conductors. Conduits (general) (tick if satisfactory)

5. Correct earthing of metal switch 1. Conduits securely fixed with all covers in
switchplates. place.

6. Switches out of reach of a person using 2. All inspection fittings accessible.

bath or shower.
3. Maximum number of cables not
7. Switches for inductive circuits (discharge exceeded.
lamps) de-rated as necessary.
4. Solid elbows used only as permitted.
8. Switches labelled to indicate purpose
where this is not obvious. 5. Conduit ends reamed and bushed.

9. Allswitche.s of adequate current rating. 6. Adequate number of boxes.

10. All controls suitable for their associated 7. All unused entries blanked off,
,""'"
luminaire. ;. "
8. Lowest point provided with drainage ., V
!
holes where required.

9. Correct radius of bends to prevent

Lighting Points (tick if satisfactory) damage to cables.

10. Joints and scratches in metal conduit

1. All lighting points correctly t~rminated in
suitable accessory or fitting. protected by painting.

2. Ceiling roses comply with appropriate

British Standard.

3. No more than one flexible cord unless Exercise

designed for multiple pendants.
4. Devices provided for supporting flex
used correctly.
5. All switch wires identified.
6. Holes in ceiling above ceiling rose made
good to prevent spread of fire.
Draw up suitable inspection checklists for a)
trunking installations and b) circuit protective
conductors. Identify at least eight items for
each checklist.
Trunking (tick if satisfactory)
j
1 .. . , . .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . , .. . . , . .. . .. . .. . ' . .. . .. . .. .. . . . . .. . . ..
. .. . . .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .. . .. .. .. .. . . .. .

7. Ceiling roses not connected to supply

exceeding 250 V. 2.
. . .. . .. . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . .. .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. .
8. Flexible cords, suitable for the mass . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . .. . . .. .. . .. .. . . .. .. . .. . . . . ..
suspended.
3.
I 9. Lampholders comply with appropriate .. . .. .. ... . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . .. .. .. .. . . .. . . .. .. .
, . .. . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . ..
I
I
British Standard.
10. Luminaire couplers comply with 4.
appropriate British Standard. . .. . . .. .. . .. . .. .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . , . , . . , . . , . . .. .. . .. .. . . . . . .
.. . .. . .. . . . . . . . . . .. .. .. . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .
 5,
, .. . , .. , , , . , . .. .. .. , , .. , , .. , , , , .. . . . . ' .. . . . . .. . . .. , . , . .. .
. . , . . . . . . . . , . , , . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. .. . .. , . . . , . . . . .

6,
, .. , , .. . . . . . . . , .. . . ,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . ..

... ....... ..... ..... ..,. .....

7.
,.. .
.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . , . .

8.
. .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. .. . . . . . . .

.. . .. .. .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . ... ... .. . . . . . .., . .

Circuit Protective Conductors

'tick it satistactor

1.
. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . .. . . . . .. .. .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. ."

2.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . .. . . . . .
. . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. , . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . .. . . . . . .. .. . . . .. .. . . . . . . .. . . .. .. .. . .. .. . . .

4.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .
. . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . .. . . .. . .. . . . . . .. .. . . . . . .. . . .

5.
. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . .. .. . .. .. . . . . .. .. . . .. .. . .. . . . .. .
.. .. . .. .. . . . .. ... . . .. . . . .. .

6.
. . .. . . .. . . . . . . .. .. . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . .. .. .. . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . ..
. . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . .. .. .. . .. . . . . . . .. . . .. .. . . .

7.
. . . .. . .. . . . . . . .. .. . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . ..
" "...............

s.
. . . . . . . . . . ., . . .. . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. .. . . . . . .
. . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .