87

INSPECTION AND TESTING OF ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS

E J B Garnham

Private Consultant, U K

INTRODUCTION
This paper is intended to indicate the purpose
and intent of
the
initial and periodic
inspection and testing required by the IEE
Regulations for Electrical Installations (15th
It is
Edition) - the "Wiring Regulations".
not intended primarily to describe in detail
the testing methods but rather to consider the
logic, philosophy and purpose of the tests and
the order in which
they are done.
The
different considerations
relating
to the
initial and the
periodic
inspection and
testing are discussed
and
the differing
relative emphasis on inspection and on testing
in the two cases are considered.
Note: Particular
a s , e.g., R611-1.

regulations

are referred to

INITIAL INSPECTION AND TESTING

Chapter 13 of the Regulations sets out the
fundamental requirements for safety and R13-20
requires that every installation shall, on
completion, be inspected and tested to verify,
as far as reasonably practicable, that the
requirements of R13-1 to R13-19 have been met.
The details of the inspection and tests to be
carried out to verify compliance are specified
in Part 6 , of which Chapter 61 deals with
Initial Inspection and Testing.
It should be noted that the initial inspection
and testing are required to be carried out
before the installation is energised (R611-1).
This is essential for safety and in many
instances facilitates the test procedures:
however, the order in which tests are done is
arranged to minimise the risk by checking
those aspects of the installation which could
give rise to danger from the application of a
particular test before that test is applied.
It is important to understand the different,
though related, functions of inspection and
testing. Inspection - which may involve the
senses of touch, smell and hearing as well as
many detailed
sight - serves to establish
points which cannot be verified by testing
alone. Very importantly, however, it provides
an overall impression of the 'feel' of an
installation - the care with which it has been
designed and constructed, the degree to which
environmental and
other
constraints and
factors affecting the design have been taken
into account, and many other points.
Initial Inspection
The primary purpose of the inspection of a new
installation is to verify that materials and
equipment of the proper types and ratings and
of good quality have been correctly installed
using good workmanship and in the manner
intended by the designer. Appendix 14 to the
Regulations is an
indicative aide-memoire
rather than an exhaustive catalogue of points
for inspection. It will serve as a good
foundation on which an individual inspector

can construct his own,

experience and knowledge
installations.

detalled, list from

of various types of

The inspection may be subdivided into two main

sections: ( 1 ) a general visual inspection, or
'walk-round', followed
by
(11)
a more
detailed examination of
particular points
which
should have
closer attention.
In
the Regulations
particular, Appendix 1 to
lists the
British
Standards
with which
materials
and
equipment
used
in
an
installation are required to comply (R511-1).
Where an item lncorporated in an installatlon
does not comply with the appropriate BS then
the designer should furnish evidence that the
item in question provides a degree of safety
not less than that afforded by compliance with
In some instances a
the BS (R511-1, Note 3).
BS will place limitations on the manner or
conditions in which an item complying with it
may be used and in such cases it should be
verified that these
limitations
are not
exceeded.
An installation may incorporate new types of
cable or wiring system for which there is no
relevant BS but for which the manufacturer may
have
obtained
a
BASEC
Certificate
of
Assessment (R12-6).
It is important to note
that R12-6 does not permit an installation
which incorporates the subject of a BASEC
Certificate of Assessment to be described as
complying
with
the
Regulations.
This
limitation relates to the whole installation,
not merely to the part in whlch the relevant
item is installed.
Inspection may not be confined to the physical
installation. For example, it will often be
sufficient to verify
that
the sizes of
protective conductors comply with R543-3 and
Table 54F, but if the designer elected to
calculate the sizes of protective conductors
in accordance with R543-2 rather than to
select them in accordance with R543-3 then it
may be necessary to consult the calculations:
it will still be necessary to examine the
protective conductors to verify that they
comply wlth the calculated or selected sizes.
Inspection should be completed before any
tests are done and should commence at the
origin of the installation.
Extent of Inspection
Each switchboard or distribution board should
be inspected, including the main switchboard
if there is one.
Attention should be paid,
inter alia, to tightness of connections and
terminals, correct labelling
of circuits,
presence and correct assembly of any barriers
or shrouds (R412-3 to R412-6), cleanliness and
absence of foreign bodies.
Doors or covers
should be opened or removed as necessary, but
need
for any major
there should be no
dismantling of equipment.
The satisfactory
mechanical operation of switches, circuitbreakers, interlocks and so on should be

88

checked and it
should
be verified that
isolators and emergency switches are readily
accessible.
The
types
and
ratings
of
protective devices should be checked against
drawings or schedules.

current of approximately 1.5 times the design

current of the circuit, but not more than 25A,
at a voltage not exceeding 25V (Appendix 1 5 ,
Item 3 ) .
For
non-ferrous
protective
conductors a d.c. ohmmeter may be used.

The responsibility for inspecting and testing

items of specialist plant or equipment, e:g.
lifts, heating and ventilating plant etc will
usually rest on their supplier or installer,
but the wiring to their mains input terminals
is part of the main electrical installation
and must be inspected accordingly.

The voltage limitation is to minimise danger

in the event of an open-circuit or highresistance joint, and the minimum current for
testing steel enclosures is intended to show
up dubious
joints
which
might
give a
satisfactory reading on a low-current ohmmeter
test. There is a considerable divergence of
opinion as to whether it is practicable to
verify the continuity of ferrous enclosures as
protective conductors with
any degree of
certainty whilst using currents low enough not
to entail a risk
of
fire at concealed
defective joints during the test.
The test
method of Appendix 1 5 does not prescribe any
duration for the test current, but if the
magnitude and duration of the current are such
as to effectively reveal unsatisfactory loints
then the danger
of
overheating or fire
resulting from such
joints
in concealed
locations is greatly increased.

When all switchboards, distribution boards and

fixed equipment have been inspected attention
may be turned to lighting and small power
circuits. In a large installation these may
embrace many hundreds of points and as a
general rule it will be impracticable in such
cases to inspect every item ( R 1 3 - 1 requires
'so
far
as
reasonably
verification
practicable') so it will be necessary to adopt
some sampling method to provide an indication
of the need to carry out a full inspection.
The size and method of selection of a sample
will to some
extent
be
guided by the
inspector's knowledge and experience of the
size and type of installation and of the
previous performance of the installer. As a
starting point, it is suggested that a 10%
sample of each type of circuit and accessory
or item of equipment be selected at random and
thoroughly inspected.
The inspection should
include the wiring, its enclosure if any (e.g.
conduit, trunking
etc)
and
the general
condition of the particular section of the
installation.
If no defects or shortcomings
are revealed in any part of this first sample
inspection then no further inspection may be
deemed necessary, but if any unsatisfactory
work is found a further 10% sample should be
checked: if this also reveals faults then the
entire installation, or at least the section
concerned, should be thoroughly inspected.
Initial Testing
Methods of test shall be such that no danger
to persons or property or damage to equipment
can occur even if the circuit tested is
R613-3
lays down the
defective ( R 6 1 1 - 1 ) .
items to be tested and the order of testing.
The requirements of the latter regulation are
largely dictated by those of the former: the
specified order of tests
is designed to
minimise risk by arranging that preceding
tests verify those aspects of the installation
which affect the
safety
of current and
following tests.
(R613-2,
R613-3).
The
Continuity tests
continuity
of
all
ring
final
circuit
conductors and of protective conductors is
vital to safety both in service and, for
protective
conductors,
when
fault-loop
impedance tests are carried out.

Note that all conductors of every ring circuit

and every protective conductor are required to
be tested - there is no question of a sample
test. The protective conductor is basic to
the whole principle of protection against
indirect contact by
Earthed Equipotential
Bonding and Automatic Disconnection (EEBAD) so
it is vital that its integrity should be
verified. Where the alternative method of
Appendix 7 is used to comply with R413-3 the
resistance of the protective conductor should
be measured and recorded.
It is important to
note that where steel conduit or other steel
enclosure is used as the circuit protective
conductor the test must be performed with a

Perhaps one possible solution to the problem

would be to apply an initial high-current
short-duration pulse, e.g. lOOA for looms, to
burn out suspect loints, followed by a lowcurrent ohmmeter test.
Defective Joints must
be detected because under fault conditions
much higher currents
may
flow,
with a
correspondingly greater
fire
risk.
The
problem would seem to be largely peculiar to
UK practice, since elsewhere it seems to be
normal to treat the steel enclosure purely as
such and to include
a copper protective
conductor as a matter of course.
(R613-4).
For
Earth electrode resistance
installations connected to IT and T T systems
the earth electrode resistance forms part of
the earth-fault loop and must be checked
before other tests involving the loop are
done. Such installations are becoming rarer
but they may be incorporated as a section of a
main installation, such as in laboratories and
electronic workshops,
which for functional
reasons needs to be separated from the main
of
an
isolating
installation by
means
transformer. In such instances the isolated
section is treated as a separate system having
as its source
and
origin the secondary
terminals of the isolating transformer.

It may be noted that

which the method is
method described in
shall be used.").
permits the
use
provided that they
results.

this is the only test in

.. the test
mandatory
Item 4 of Appendix 15
For other tests R613-1
of
alternative methods
give no less effective
('I.

Insulation tests.
The
integrity
of the
insulation between live conductors and between
them and earth must be verified before the
installation is energised: this is the purpose
of the insulation resistance tests ( R 6 1 3 - 5 to
R 6 1 3 - 8 ) . Although the primary
intent is to
measure the insulation resistance the fact
that the tests are conducted at an applied
voltage of 500V or l O O O V d.c. serves also to
verify that the insulation has not suffered
damage or contamination such as to render it
incapable of withstanding the rated voltage of
the installation.
R613-7
draws attention
to
the
need to
safeguard electronic devices by isolating them
from the circuit(s) under test. Such devices
are becoming more common, particularly in

89

lighting equipment, and it is always necessary

to check carefully for their presence. An
oversight could prove costly. In practice,
they will usually withstand an insulation
resistance test between live terminals and
earth but where there is any doubt the maker
or the relevant British Standard should be
consulted.
Insulation of site-built
assemblies.
The
voltage withstand tests (R613-9 and R613-10)
serve a different purpose.
They are made on
insulation applied during erection on site to
afford protection
against
direct contact
to
supplementary or
(R412-2, Note 1) and
reinforced insulation applied during erection
on site to provide protection against indirect
contact (R413-18(ii) and (iii)). In each case
the intent is to verify that the site-applied
insulation is no less effective than it would
be if it had been applied and tested at the
factory during manufacture of the equipment or
apparatus.
It shoxld be noted also that where protection
against indirect contact is by an insulating
enclosure
it
must
be
tested
by
the
application of test fingers in accordance with
BS5490 to verify a degree of protection not
less than IP2X (R413-20 and 413-24).
Electrical separation of circuits (R613-11).
Where protection against shock is provided by
safety extra-low voltage or by electrical
separation the electrical isolation of the
separated circuits must
be verified.
In
either case, except where the source of the
separated circuit is
a
safety isolating
transformer to BS 3535, the degree of safety
must be not less than would be provided by
such a
transformer:
if
necessary,
the
applicable tests of insulation resistance and
electric strength specified in BS 3535 are to
be applied. This inspection/test must be done
before the installation is energised so as to
avoid the danger which could arise if there is
a defect.

.osures is verified
by physical rather
than electrical test, using standard test
fingers. This method of protection is likely
to be
found
mainly
in
industrial and
specialised commercial installations, such as
laboratories and electronic workshops. It is
important that verification is thorough.
Insulation of non-conducting floors and walls
(R613-13). This also is a method of shock
protection likely to
be
found
only in
specialised installations.
The resistance
between insulating
floors/walls
and
the
installation main protective conductor is to
be measured at not less than 3 points on each
surface. No test voltage is specified but it
would seem logical to apply the same voltages
as for the insulation resistance tests of
R613-5. The only requirement regarding the
location of the points of test is that at
least one of them shall be not less than lm
and not more than 1.2m from any extraneous
conductive part in the location.
Insulation of extraneous
conducting parts
(R413-31(a)(iii))
must
have
a
voltage
withstand test of 2kV applied, and the leakage
current must not
exceed
1mA
in normal
No duration is specified
conditions of use.
for the withstand test but in view of the
importance of this insulation it would seem
sensible to apply the test voltage for at

least 30s. The limitation of leakage current

implies an insulation resistance of at least
0.5 megohm for supply voltages up to 500V and
of 1 megohm for higher voltages.
Polarity (R613-14). It is required to verify
by test that all fuses and single pole control
devices are connected in the phase conductor
only and that wiring is correctly connected to
socket-outlets and centre-contact lampholders:
correct polarity
cannot
be
verified by
inspection
alone.
Whilst
fuses
are
specifically mentioned
other
single pole
protective devices are not, but i t is equally
important that they too should be connected
only in the phase conductor; otherwise, a
dangerous situation can occur in the event of
overload or short-circuit causing operation of
the device. Though not strictly a requirement
of the regulations, it is prudent to check the
correct polarity of the supply, particularly
where it is derived from a TN-S or TT system,
because if it is
reversed then all the
installation
single
pole
switches
and
protective devices will be connected in the
neutral conductor. This results in a highly
dangerous situation: because
all switches
appear to function normally the reversal will
not usually become evident until an earth
fault occurs, since protective devices will
operate normallv for
overload and shortcyrcuit faults b;t will not operate at all for
earth faults.
Earth-fault loop impedance (R613-15).
This
test is made after all other tests have Droved
satisfactory and any defects found have been
rectified, so that the test, which must be
applied to an energised circuit, will not
cause danger. Although required only "Where
protective measures are used which require a
knowledge of earth fault loop impedance . . . "
the test is, in practice, necessary in the
majority of installations.
If an earth-fault loop impedance tester is
applied to a circuit or an installation which
incorporates a residual current device the
latter may operate and nullify the test. In
such circumstances the
alternative method
permitted by Appendix 15, Item 5(ii) may be
used. It should be noted, however, that if
this option is adopted the external earthfault loop impedance (2,) is to be measured: a
declared value is not acceptable. The sum of
the phase and protective conductor resistances
(R1+R2) may conveniently be measured when the
initial continuity tests of R612-2 and R613-3
are made.
Operation
of
residual
current
devices
(R613-16). These devices are required to be
tested in a manner simulating the earth fault
condition and independent of any test facility
incorporated in the device. Devices which are
installed to provide additional protection
against direct contact (R471-14) are required
to operate within 40ms at a residual current
of 150mA.
The test
method described in
Appendix 15, Item 6 requires any load supplied
through the device to be disconnected during
the test, but in the author's view the load
should be connected and energised so as to
simulate
more
closely
actual
service
conditions. The effectiveness of any iqbuilt
testing facility is to be verified after
application of the external test; and in this
connection it may
be
noted that whilst
R514-5(a) lays an implicit duty on the user of
an installation to operate the test facility
at 3-monthly intervals i t is believed that in
most instances this is overlooked or ignored.

90

Many different types of tester are available,

ranging from the simple 'Go/No-go' instrument,
intended to check the commonly used 30mA/30ms
device, to the more sophisticated instruments
which indicate operating time for selectable
applied residual currents. The latter type of
instrument is to be preferred, since it will
permit the actual operating time of the device
to be recorded so that any subsequent change
or deterioration may be detected. Where the
operation of the device may be affected by the
point on the voltage wave at which the test
residual current is applied the instrument
used should provide a facility to vary this
parameter.
It is useful to remember that where a residual
current device is used to obtain compliance
with R413-3 the disconnection times of R413-4
apply and, especially
in
TT systems, a
limitation is imposed by R413-6.
TEST INSTRUMENTS
The regulations are silent concerning the
accuracy of the instruments to be used for
tests and, furthermore, no tolerances are
given for the quantities to be measured.
Most commercially available instruments have a
basic accuracy of +2.5%
or better but the
accuracy of reading:
or 'in-use' accuracy,
may be as poor as + 3 0 % , depending on the
quantity being measured and the conditions
obtaining at the time. For instance, analogue
instruments are usually
calibrated
in a
horizontal position, dial upwards, and their
accuracy may be affected to a significant
extent if they are used in any other position.
Low-resistance
ohmmeters
used
for
the
measurement
of
continuity
and
of
the
resistance of phase and protective conductors
are affected by contact resistance, which may
The accuracy of
be 10 milliohms or higher.
instruments may also be affected by vibration
or physical shock either in use or during
transit, and analogue instruments are likely
to be particularly affected.
It may not be
generally realised that it is not possible to
check the electrical zero of any type of
earth-fault loop impedance tester, and the
accuracy of the reading
obtained may be
affected by voltage surges on the supply,
perhaps caused by sudden load changes or
switching transients elsewhere on the supply
system.
Even when the foregoing points are taken into
account it is probably true to say that the
accuracy of present-day instruments is, on
balance, better than at any time in the past,
except perhaps
for
insulation resistance
testers.
However,
to
guard
against
inaccuracies resulting from mechanical damage
to the movements of analogue instruments and
to the internal components, wiring and joints
of both analogue and digital types it is
recommended that they should be recalibrated
at intervals of not more than 12 months, and
in any case after mechanical or electrical
misuse.
PERIODIC INSPECTION AND TESTING
There is no mandatory requirement for an
existing installation to be checked after a
period of service.
The notice demanded by
R514-5 contains a recommendation about such
inspection and test, as does the Completion
Certificate (Appendix 16) required by R614-1,
but the user or other person responsible for
the installation may or may not accept this
recommendation.
However, if such periodic

inspection and test is carried out then R613-1

requires that the methods of inspection and
test shall
be
in
accordance
with the
requirements of Chapter 61
and
that the
results shall be recorded on an Inspection
Certificate
in
the
form
set
out
in
Appendix 16.
These requirements are often taken at their
face value and, if done at all, are carried
out in the same manner as if they were being
applied to a
new
installation.
In the
author's view this approach is often, indeed
usually, inappropriate because the purpose of
the periodic inspection
and test is - or
should be - somewhat different from that of
the initial verification carried out on a new
installation before it is connected to the
supply and intended to verify that it complies
with the regulations.
It is the opinion of
the author that, starting from the premise
that the installation
complied
with the
regulations which were current when it was
constructed and that there is a Completion
Certificate to that effect, then the periodic
inspection and test should be concerned to
verify that:
the wiring and equipment have not suffered
damage or deterioration such as to render
them unsafe;
the installation is
intended purpose;

still

fit

for

there have
been
no
unauthorised
unrecorded additions or alterations;

its
or

devices for
isolation
and
switching
continue to function correctly and are
accessible.
It is very desirable that tests and inspection
of an installation in service are done in such
a way
as
to
minimise
disturbance and
disruption both to the installation and to the
user of it, otherwise it is probable that they
will not be done.
If a user knows that he
will suffer loss of use of his installation
(or part of it) for a considerable time, in
addition to having to pay for the cause of
such loss (i.e. the inspection and test) he is
unlikely to look favourably upon it in the
first instance.
Periodic Inspection
The inspection is probably of more value than
the tests in establishing the condition of the
installation and the degree (or lack) of
maintenance it has enjoyed. Before embarking
upon a periodic inspection every effort should
be made to obtain as much as possible of the
information which R514-3
requires
to be
provided for the
installation and R611-2
requires to be made available to the person
carrying out the inspection and testing. This
information, together with the Completion and
Inspection Certificates should
enable the
inspector to establish whether there have been
any additions
or
alterations
since the
previous inspection and, if so, whether they
have been properly inspected and tested in
compliance with Chapter 62.
The following points,
which
are neither
exhaustive
nor
exclusive,
nor
in
any
particular order of importance, might form the
basis of a checklist for the inspection of an
installation which is still in service:

- suitability of

the installation for its

present use and external influences;

91

evidence of alterations/additions
original installation;

to the

- identification of locations

and equipment
for which precautions may be necessary to
prevent danger and/or damage during tests;

- presence, accessibility

and
devices
for
electrical
isolation and switching;

condition of
protection,

the need, the following tests may be made as

appropriate:

- earth electrode resistance;

- continuity of ring circuit conductors;
- operation

of
than fuses;

overcurrent

devices

other

- electrical separation of circuits;

- suitability

of
protective
monitoring devices;

and

any

- deterioration of or

damage to conductors
and their insulation, and their protective
coverings, if any;

- insulation of site-built assemblies;

- protection

by
barriers
provided during erection;

- protection of
- suitability

of wiring for
load,
environment
and
installation;

its present
method
of

conductors
labelling of circuits;

and correct

- adequate sizing of protective conductors;

- effectiveness of protection against direct
contact,
and
any
degradation
or
deterioration of protective enclosures;

- integrity of any non-conducting location;

-

presence of danger
warning notices.

notices

non-conducting

enclosures
floors

and

walls.
Older Installations

- connections/terminations of conductors;
- identification of

or

and any other

Periodic Testing
Depending upon the thoroughness and results of
the inspection it may
not be considered
necessary to carry out all of the tests which
would be done on a new installation. For
instance, if there have been no alterations or
additions since the last inspection it may not
be necessary to test polarity at every point,
though as a general rule it would probably be
prudent to carry
out
a
check at main
distribution boards and on any circuits which
are not covered
by previous certificates
and/or appear to have been rewired since the
previous inspection.

There are many installations still in service

which were constructed in accordance with the
Fourteenth or even earlier editions of the
Wiring Regulations. When the time comes for
their periodic inspection
there is often
confusion about the standard to which they
should be tested.
The
edition
of the
regulations to which they were designed and
erected cannot be used, because from 1 January
1983 the 15th Edition superseded all previous
editions; but the tests of the 15th Edition in
many aspects g o beyond the requirements of the
design and test parameters of the earlier
editions.
However,
provided
that
an
installation designed and constructed to an
earlier edition is in good condition and still
complies in essence
with the Fundamental
Requirements
for
Safety
laid
down
in
Chapter 13 of the 15th Edition then it should
be no less safe than when it was first put
into service.

- continuity of protective conductors;

If the principles and philosophy described

above are applied to
the inspection and
testing of such older installations then it is
the author's belief that the safety of the
user will still be safeguarded, whilst much
needless rewiring of safe and satisfactory
installations may be avoided.
Such rewiring
is often occasioned by the bald statement that
"
the installation was constructed to an
earlier edition of the regulations and does
not comply with the current edition
even
though it is still basically safe. In such
circumstances the user of the installation or
the person who orders the inspection and test
could be advised that the installation does
not comply with
current
requirements in
certain named respects but that unless those
shortcomings result in danger, taking into
account the current usage or environmental
conditions of the installation, there should
be no need
for
immediate
action.
The
Inspection Certificate would
be annotated
accordingly.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

In any case, tests should be arranged so as to

minimise
the
period
for
which
the
installation, or any part of i t , needs to be
disconnected. Any such disconnection should
be pre-arranged with the user and preferably
should be planned so that all tests requiring
disconnection are done during a single period.
It is the author's view that the following
tests are the minimum which should be carried
out:

polarity;

- earth-fault loop impedance;

- insulation resistance;
- operation of

devices

for

isolation

and

switching;

- operation

of residual
where applicable.

current

devices,

In addition, where the inspection or the

results of the above-mentioned tests indicate

...

...'I,

The author wishes to acknowledge the advice,

encouragement and forbearance of friends and
professional colleagues in the preparation of
this paper and to thank Megger Instruments Ltd
for information regarding the accuracy and use
of test instruments.
The opinions and views
expressed in this paper are purely those of
the author and d o not necessarily represent
of
the
those of
any
organisation
or
Institution of Electrical Engineers, but it is
hoped that they may stimulate thought and
discussion about this very important subject.