Inspection and Testing

Dead Tests
Why dead tests?
 Dead tests are performed on an installation
prior to energisation

 A dead test will, if carried out correctly,

identify faults with a circuit or installation that
may be dangerous when energised
Sequence
 Continuity of protective conductors
 Main and supplementary bonding continuity
 Continuity of ring final circuit conductors
 Insulation resistance
 Site applied insulation
 Protection by separation
 Protection by barriers and enclosures
 Insulation of non-conducting floors and walls
 Polarity
 Earth electrode resistance if an earth electrode
resistance tester is used
Zero or Null leads
 When measuring the resistance of a length of cable,
we must take into account the resistance of the
leads
 Many instruments today auto-null the leads
 Some instruments allow you to connect the leads
together and press to null
 If it is an older instrument, we need to take the
reading of the leads and subtract it from the total
reading of the measured length of cable
Instruments
 Insulation and Continuity Tester
 Continuity tests
 Insulation resistance tests
 Earth Fault Loop Impedance Tester
 EFLI test
 Earth electrode test
 Measurement of Ze
 PSCC test
 RCD Tester
 RCD tests
Continuity of Protective
Conductors
 Set the instrument to
the Ohms scale

 Ω

 Results should always

be recorded in ohms
and should be between
0.05Ω and 0.8Ω
Continuity of Protective
Conductors
 Method 1:
Continuity of Protective
Conductors
 Method 2:
Continuity of Ring Final
Conductors
 Determines
 Continuity of Ring Final Circuit Conductors
 No parallel loops on circuit
 Too many unfused spurs on circuit
Continuity of Ring Final
Conductors
Insulation Resistance
 Conducted to detect short circuits and high
resistances in circuits

 Considered a ‘pressure test’, putting

approximately twice the nominal voltage
through a completed circuit
Insulation Resistance
 Before testing check:
 Pilot or indicator lamps should be disconnected
 Voltage sensitive equipment should be removed, such as
dimmer switches, timers, controllers, starters and RCDs*
 Lamps should be removed
 There is no electrical connection between any phase,
neutral or protective conductor

 *Bridge out connections, consult manufacturers

instructions. Further precautions may be necessary
Insulation Resistance Method
 Set the instrument to
the Megohms scale

 MΩ (Millions of ohms)
 Test voltage 500v

 Readings should be
0.5MΩ but should be
investigated below 2
MΩ
Insulation Resistance
 Test between the phase and neutral
conductors connected together and earth at
the consumer unit

 For circuits containing 2 way or 2 way and

intermediate, switched must be operated one
at a time and the circuits subjected to an
additional test
Insulation Resistance
Polarity
 Polarity should verify that:
 Polarity is correct at the meter and the distribution
board
 Every fuse and single phase conductor are
connected in phase conductors only
 Conductors are correctly connected to socket
outlets and other accessories/equipment
 Centre contact bayonet and Edison screw
lampholders have there outer or screw contacts
connected to the earthed neutral conductor
(except for E14 and E27 lampholders)
Polarity