Testing Procedures Flashcards
Fill in the blanks
When testing, you will need an instrument(s) cable of measuring the following:
1. ____ (compliant with ____38)
2. ____uity
3. ____ resistance
4. ____ - ____ loop ____ [__ __ L]
5. Prospective ____ - ____ current [P____C]
6. Prospective ____ current [P ____ C]
7. ____ function
- Voltage, GS
- Continuity
- Insulation
- Earth-fault loop impedance, EFL
- short-circuit, PSC
- fault, PFC
- RCD
When testing for CPC Continuity…
In Continuity Test Method 1:
Which conductor is used as the return path for the test current?
The line conductor
In Continuity Test Method 1:
There are three steps to measuring the CPC, what are they?
- Link the earth and line conductor at the CCU (best practice is to remove them from their terminals and connect them together using a connector block)
- Measure the accessory at the furthest point of the circuit. Record this reading. This will give you your [R1+R2] value.
- Repeat the steps above, but with the Line and Neutral conductors, this will give you your [R1+Rn] value.
What additional piece of kit is needed when using testing method 2 of CPC continuity & main bonding conductors?
A ‘wandering lead’
True or false:
Testing method 2 is the recommended method for continuity & bonding testing
True.
What must be done to the testing machine before commencing testing?
The leads must be nulled, if they cannot be nulled, the resistance of the leads themselves must be taken away from the final results.
Why is ring final circuit testing so crucial?
It is crucial because if there is a break in the continuity of the circuit, it inadvertantly creates two radial circuits which have inadequate rating protection. If they are under full load, the protective device will not operate properly, possibly causing a fire.
When using testing a final ring circuit, what must be taken out of the Consumer Unit?
Both ends of the loop forming the final ring circuit.
When testing a final ring circuit…
Once the ends of the loop are taken out of the consumer unit, what comes next?
Their resistances must be measured and recorded
During the first step of testing a final ring circuit…
- Roughly, how close together should the resistances of the line and neutral conductor be in terms of resistance values?
- Will the resistance of the CPC be higher or lower?
- Why is this?
- If any readings are suspect, what should be checked?
- Roughly, they should be within 0.05Ω of each other.
- The CPC will have a higher resistance.
- This is because of the lower CSA of the CPC.
- The tightness of the connections at all points in the circuit should be checked.
When testing a final ring circuit…
In step 2, which two conductors are connected together in a ‘figure of 8’?
The line and neutral conductors, inside a connector block
When testing a final ring circuit…
- In step 2, where are the test probes located?
- What kind of reading are you expecting?
- The resistance between line and neutral at each socket
- The resistances to be roughly the same at each socket, and these values to be roughly one quarter of the reading obtained from the line and neutral loop.
When testing a final ring circuit…
Which two conductors are connected together at the CCU in step 3?
The line and the CPC.
When testing a final ring cirtcuit…
True or false:
The results in step 3 should be similar in nature to those performed in step 2.
True.
The testing procedure is the same, the resistance value of the full loop should be approximately 4 times the value of each individual socket reading.
When testing a final ring circuit…
- What reading is given to the name of the highest reading in step 3?
- What can this be used for?
- Where must it be recorded?
- R1 + R2
- R1 + R2 is used when calculating the Earth Fault Loop Impedance of the circuit (Zs).
- It must be recorded in the Schedule of Test Results.
Once final ring circuit continuity has been established, what does this also confirm?
Correct polarity of the circuit, further testing for this is unnessecary.
When performing continuity tests…
True or false:
Any kind of testing equipment can be used to establish the continuity of a circuit.
Bonus:
What must never be used for a continuity test?
False.
You must always use a low-resistance ohmmeter for continuity tests.
You should never use an insulation resistance tester, as this can provide false continuity.
What is the purpose of carrying out an insulation resistance test?
An insulation resistance test verifies the basic protection of each of the conductors by verifying the condition of the insulation surrounding each of the conductors in any given circuit.
What voltages (and what type) can be delivered using an insulation resistance tester?
- 250V DC for SELV and PELV circuits
- 500V DC for circuits rated up to 500V
- 1000V DC for circuits between 500V & 1000V
When carrying out an insulation resistance test…
What must be done to ensure accurate readings?
11 things which is exhaustive, but important
The following must be done to the entire system:
1. Main switch turned off
2. Circuit breakers must be turned off and fuses stored in your pocket
3. All Appliances must be turned off.
4. Outlets supplying sensitive electronic equipment such as doorbells, fire alarms, burglar alarms etc. must be disconnected
5. All lamps must be removed
6. Flourescent luminaires must be disconnected
7. Passive infrared sensors must be removed
8. Neon indicators must be removed or L&N conductors linked together and then to the CPC.
9. Dimmer switches must be disconnected and their conductors linked together in a terminal block
10. One way lighting must be in the on posistion.
11. Two Way Switching & Two Way & intermediate switches must all be operated to ensure that all conductors are tested.
When performing an insulation resistance test…
True or false:
The testing order is:
1. Line - Neutral Terminal
2. Earth Bar - Neutral Terminal & then Live terminal
True.
This is the correct order to do things.
When performing an insulation resistance test:
What are the expected test results for the following circuit types:
1. SELV & PELV
2. Up to 500V & FELV circuits
3. 500V+ circuits
What is the more likely reading you will recieve in this instance?
- 0.5 MΩ
- 1.0 MΩ
- 1.0 MΩ
100+ MΩ is the more likely reading you will recieve.
When performing an insulation resistance test…
Below what reading should you investigate further?
How would you go about investigating further?
- Below 2 MΩ
- By testing each circuit individually to determine where the issue is.