DISTRIBUTOR

A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO THE MEASUREMENTS ON ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS

In accordance with IEC 60364-6

Kyoritsu reserves the rights to change the information described in this guide without prior notice and without obligations. No part of this guide may be reproduced or utilised in any form or by any means without the permission from Kyoritsu.

KYORITSU ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENTS WORKS,LTD.

No. 5-20 Nakane 2-chome, Meguro-Ku, Tokyo, 152-0031 Japan Phone :81-3-3723-0131 Fax:81-3-3723-0152 URL : http://www.kew-ltd.co.jp E-mail : info@kew-ltd.co.jp Factories:Uwajima & Ehime
ISO 9001 APPROVED BY BVQI

Edition July. 2002

CONTENTS
Page 1. Preface1 2 2. Standards 3 3. Electrical Systems 4. When must the tests be carried out?4 5. Requirements for Testing an Electrical Installation 4 5 6. Electrical Testing and Measurements 6.1 Continuity of protective conductors including main and supplementary equipotential bonding conductors 5 6.2 Insulation resistance6 6.3 Protection by SELV, PELV or by Electrical Separation7 6.4 Insulation resistance of Non-Conducting Floors and Walls7 6.5 Verification of conditions for protection by automatic disconnection of the supply (Earth Fault Loop Impedance test, RCD Test, Earth Test) 9 15 6.6 Polarity test 6.7 Functional tests15 7. Periodic inspection and testing16 7.1 Interval between periodic inspection and testing16 7.2 Extent of the periodic inspection and testing16 8. Cross-Table Tests / Instruments17 9. Periodic Inspection Report 18

2. STANDARDS
To ensure the safety of the electrical installations and their safety during testing, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and the CENELEC (European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardisation) have prepared the appropriated Standards listed below: IEC 60364 series Electrical Installation of Buildings In particular the Part 6 is dedicated to the Verification. Most European countries have adopted, in part or completely, the IEC 60364 series within their own national regulations, most of which are listed below: - Austria - Czech Republic - Denmark - U.K. - Finland - France - Germany - Italy - Norway - Poland - Spain - Sweden NORM B 5430 to B 5435 CSN 332000-4-41, CSN 332000-6-61 Strkstrmsbekendtgrelsen BS 7671, IEE Wiring Regulations 16th edition + Guidance Notes SF S 6000 Serie 1-7, SFS 6000-8 NF C 15- 100 VDE 0100 series CEI 64 - 8 NEK 400 PN- IEC 60364 series UNE 20- 460 series SS 436 46 61, SS-EN 60364 Series

1. PREFACE
AIM OF THE MANUAL PRACTICE GUIDE TO THE MEASUREMENTS ON ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS.

This guide offers the reader practical information and examples on carrying out the test measurements required by the International Standard IEC 60364 Electrical Installation of Buildings Part 6: Verification. In particular, with the help of illustrated examples, it describes the execution of tests giving the limit values as stipulated in the Standard. This guide is intended for persons carrying out the testing of low-voltage electric installations in buildings or responsible for the maintenance of these installations. All the information, considerations and tables shows in this pamphlet were obtained following the Standards in force during the preparation of this pamphlet. Kyoritsu Electrical Instruments Works, LTD informs that this guide is not a substitute for the International Standard IEC 60364, which should always be consulted in case of doubt.

IEC 61557, EN 61557 series Electrical Safety in Low Voltage Distribution Systems up to 1000V a.c. and 1500V d.c. Equipment for testing, measuring or monitoring of protective measures. This series of standards has been established with the aim of stipulation common principles (of features and safety) for testing instruments used for electric installations up to 1000 V a.c. and 1500 V d.c. The EN 61557 standard is divided into several parts, each of them dedicated to one measurement or argument as follows: General Requirements - EN 61557 Par t 1 Insulation Resistance - EN 61557 Par t 2 Loop Impedance - EN 61557 Par t 3 Resistance (Continuity) of Earth Connections and - EN 61557 Par t 4 Equipotential Bonding Resistance of Earth - EN 61557 Par t 5 Residual Current Devices (RCDs) in TT, TN and - EN 61557 Par t 6 IT Systems Phase sequence - EN 61557 Par t 7 Combined measuring equipment (Multifunction - EN 61557 Par t 10 instrument) IEC 61010-1, EN 61010-1Safety requirements for electrical Equipment for measurement, control and laboratory use. This standard has been established with the aim to define the general safety requirements for measurement instruments.

3. ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS
An electrical system consists of a single source of electrical energy and an installation. Depending on the relationship between the source and the exposed (conductive) part of the installation to Earthing, the standards define the type of system as follows:
TT System: the accessible conductive parts are earthed independently of the source earth (Fig 1).
L1 L2 L3 N TT

4. WHEN MUST THE TESTS BE CARRIED OUT?

The international standard IEC 60364-6 requires that every installation shall, on completion, before being put into service, be visually inspected and tested to verify, as far as practicable, that the requirements of this standard have been met. Visual inspection includes, for example, the checking of the method of protection against the electric shock (like the barriers and distances), colour and size of the conductors, presence of the diagrams, appropriate selection of materials, etc. An IEC document regarding the periodic inspection and testing for the electrical installations is under consideration. However the Chapter 7 of this guide reports some consideration of periodic inspection. In the case of extension or modification to the installation, it shall be verified that the extension or modification complies with the IEC 60364 and does not impair the safety of the existing installation. This guide will not consider visual inspections, but will focus on the various testing regimes and the stipulated values which these tests should deliver. Fig 1

PE

EARTHING OF SYSTEM

TN System: the accessible conductive parts are connected to the source earth (Fig 2).
L1 L2 L3 N TN-C TN-S

5. REQUIREMENTS FOR TESTING AN ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION

The following tests shall be carried out where relevant and should preferably be made in the following sequence: 1) Continuity of the protective conductors and of the main and supplementary equipotential bonding. 2) Insulation resistance of the electrical installation.

N PEN PE PE

EARTHING OF SYSTEM

3) Protection by SELV and PELV or by electrical separation of circuits. Fig 2 4) Insulation Resistance of non-conducting floors and walls. 5) Verification of conditions for protection by automatic disconnection of the supply (Fault Loop impedance, Earth resistance, RCD test). 6) Polarity test. 7) Functional tests.

IT System: the live parts are insulated from the earth (or connected to earth through an impedance Z), the accessible conductive parts are earthed independently (Fig 3).
L1 L2 L3 N IT

PE

It is important that all measuring instruments and monitoring equipments used for above tests comply with the series IEC / EN 61557. If other testing equipment is used, it must provide the same degree of performance and safety as a minimum.

Fig 3

6. ELECTRICAL TESTING AND MEASUREMENTS. 6.1 Continuity of protective conductors including the main and supplementary equipotential bonding conductors.
The IEC 60364-6 requires that all continuity protective conductors,main and supplementary equipotential bonding shall be tested to determine their suitability to carry fault current and system load current. The standard requires that the appropriate instruments shall be able to supply a minimum current of 200 mA with a no-load voltage between 4 to 24 V d.c. or a.c. The instrument used for the examples below, the model Kew 6010A, can carry out the continuity test with the current and voltage specified and inform the users, through a buzzer, that the test current is higher than 200 mA to indicate the presence of continuity. Below are two examples of continuity test (fig 4 and 5).

6.2 Insulation resistance

The insulation resistance shall be measured between each live conductor and the protective conductor or earth. In locations exposed to fire hazards, a measurement of the insulation resistance between the live conductors shall be taken. The insulation resistance, measured with the test voltage values indicated in the table below are satisfactory if each circuit, with the appliances disconnected, has an insulation resistance not less than the appropriate value given in the same table.

Nominal circuit voltage SELV, PELV ( 50 V a.c. 120 V d.c.) Up to and including 500 V (including FELV) with the exception of the above cases Above 500 V

Test voltage d.c. 250 V 500 V

Insulation resistance

0.25 M 0.5M

1000 V

1M

PE

Fig 4
PE PE MAIN EQUIPOTENTIAL BONDING

The testing apparatus shall be capable of supplying an output current of 1 mA at its nominal test voltage. Typically for 230/400 V circuits (excluding SELV and PELV), IEC 60364-6 requires that the insulation resistance at a test voltage of 500 V d.c. shall be 0.50 M as a minimum. The example below (Fig 6) shows the insulation resistance test on a 3 phases + neutral system.
L1 L2 L3 N PE

WATER GAS

Fig 5

Fig 6

6.3 Protection by SELV, PELV or by Electrical Separation.

Even if the automatic disconnection of supply is normally the most common protection method, there are other protection methods like: protection by SELV, PELV or by Electrical Separation. Only for these cases shall the separation of live parts from those of other circuits, be confirmed by a measurement of the insulation resistance. The resistance values obtained must be in accordance with Table at page 6. Below there is an example of the measurement of insulation resistance to confirm the separation of live parts from those of other circuits (Fig 7).

6.5 Verification of conditions for protection by automatic disconnection of the supply.

Automatic disconnection of supply is required where a risk of harmful pathphysiological effects to a person may arise due to a fault as a result of the value and duration of the touch voltage. The verification of the efficacy of the measures for protection by automatic disconnection of supply is treated below:

a) For TN systems
...and the other live parts (for Selv and Pelv) Between the output of the transformer...

1) Measurement of the fault loop impedance by Loop tester. 2) Verification of either the characteristics or the effectiveness of the associated protective device i.e. by inspection of the nominal current setting for circuit -breakers and the current rating for fuses and also by inspection and test for residual current devices RCDs by RCD tester.
Note: Alternatively where the calculations of the fault loop impedance or of the resistance of th protective conductors are available and when the arrangement of the installation permits the verification of the length and cross -sectional area of the conductors, the verification of the continuity of the protective conductors is sufficient.

...and the equipotential bonding (Selv only)

According to the international Standard IEC 60364 for TN system the following condition shall be fulfilled for each circuit: Zs Uo/Ia Where: Zs is the Fault loop impedance. Uo is the nominal voltage between phase to earth. Ia is the current causing the automatic disconnection of the protective device within the time stated in table as follows: Fig 7 Uo (Volts) 120 230 400 >400 T (seconds) 0.8 0.4 0.2 0.1

6.4 Insulation Resistance of Non Conducting Floors and walls.

When it is necessary to comply with the requirements of the protection by nonconducting location, the floor and wall insulation resistance / impedance shall be tested. In Part 6 of IEC 60364 methods for measuring the insulating resistance / impedance of floors and walls are given as examples.

Note: For a distribution circuit a disconnection time not exceeding 5s is permitted. When the protection device is a residual current device (RCD), Ia is the rated residual operating current I,n.

For instance in a TN system with nominal mains voltage Uo = 230 V protected by gG fuses or MCBs (Miniature Current Breakers) with characteristic C required by IEC 898 / EN 60898, the Ia and max Zs values could be:

Protection by gG fuses Rating (A) 6 10 16 20 25 32 40 50 63 80 100 Disconnecting time 5s Ia (A) Zs (9) 8.2 28 5 46 3.6 65 2.7 85 2.1 110 1.53 150 1.21 190 0.92 250 0.71 320 0.54 425 0.39 580 Disconnecting time 0.4s Ia (A) Zs (9) 47 4.9 82 2.8 110 2.1 147 1.56 183 1.25 275 0.83 320 0.72 470 0.49 550 0.42 840 0.27 1020 0.22

Protection by MCBs with characteristic C Disconnecting Disconnecting time: 5s time: 0.4s Ia (A) Zs (9) Ia (A) Zs (9) 27 60 8.5 3.8 45 100 5.1 2.3 72 160 3.2 1.44 90 200 2.55 1.15 112 250 2 0.92 144 320 1.6 0.72 180 400 1.28 0.57 225 500 1.02 0.46 283 630 0.81 0.36

Given that when the protective device is an RCD, Ia is the rated residual operating current I,n, then the RCD must be tested as follows. Operation of Residual Current Devices (RCDs). The IEC 60364-6 requires the testing of the RCDs by generating a fault current up to the rated residual operating current I,n. The RCD testers can perform the tests for single phase and three phase RCDs by measuring the tripping time. Below is an example of an RCD test on a TN system (Fig 9),
L1 L2 L3 N PE

The most complete loop testers also have the Prospective Fault current measurement. In this case, Prospective Fault current measured with instruments must be higher than the tabulated Ia of the protective device concerned. Below is a practical example of verification of the protection by MCB in a TN system according to the international Standard IEC 60364 (Fig 8).
L1 L2 L3 N PE

Ro

Fig 9

The IEC 60364 does not specify precise trip time limits. However as a limit value one should consider the tripping time of 0.4 s max (or 5 s for distribution circuits) derived from the max disconnection times for TN systems. It is also good practice to consider even more stringent teip time limits, by following the standard values of trip times at I,n defined by IEC 1009 (EN 61009) and IEC 1008 (EN 61008). These trip time limits are listed in the table below:

MCB 16A

Ro

Type of RCD Fig 8 Max value of Zs for this example is 1.449 (MCB 16A, 0.4s) the loop tester reads 1.14 9 (or 202 A on Fault current range) it means that the condition Zs Uo/Ia is respected. In fact the Zs of 1.14 9 is less than 1.44 9 (or the Fault current of 202 A is more than Ia of 160A). In other words, in case of fault between phase and earth, the wall socket tested in this example is protected because the MCB will trip within 0.4sec. General (G) Selective (S)

Test at I,n 300 ms max. allowed value 500 ms max. allowed value 130 ms min. allowed value

Note: This tripping time values are applicable to RCDs correctly installed according to the manufacturer specifications.

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b) For TT systems
1) Measurement of the resistance Ra of the earth electrode for exposed conductive parts of the installation by Loop tester or Earth Tester. 2) Verification of either the characteristics of the effectiveness of the associated protective device. This verification shall be made: - for RCDs: by inspection and testing with RCD tester; - for overcurrent protective devices: by inspection (i.e. current setting for circuitbreakers, current rating for fuses); - for the protective conductors: by a test of their continuity with Continuity tester. According to the international Standard IEC 60364 for TT system the following condition shall be fulfilled for each circuit: Ra 50/Ia Where: RA is the sum of the resistances of the of local earth system R and protection conductor connecting it to the exposed conductive part. 50 is the max safe touch voltage limit (it could be 25V in particular cases) Ia is the current causing the automatic disconnection of the protective device within 5sec When the protection device is a residual current device (RCD), Ia is the rated residual operating current I,n. For instance in a TT system protected by a RCD the max Ra values are: Rated residual operating current I,n RA (at 50V) RA (at 25V) 30 1667 833 100 500 250 300 167 83 500 100 50 1000 50 25 mA

- Volt-ampere method using classical earth resistance testers with sticking two auxiliary earth electrodes into the ground (Fig 10).
RCD 30mA L1 L2 L3 N PE

Ro

AUXILIARY EARTH ELECTRODES

Fig 10

- Fault loop impedance method (Loop tester). The IEC 60364-6 describes a safe and easy method to test earth resistance where, in a TT system, the location of the installation (e.g. in towns) does not in practice allow the two auxiliary earth spikes to be inserted into the ground. This method consists of the measurement of the fault loop impedance with a Loop Tester which, in a TT system, will in practice give the earth resistance (Fig11).
RCD 30mA L1 L2 L3 N PE

9 9

Shown below is a practical example of verification of the protection by RCD in a TT system according to the international Standard IEC 60364. The standard describes two methods for testing the resistance RA.

Ro

Fig 11 For these examples max permissible value is 1667 9 (RCD = 30mA and contact voltage limit of 50 V). The instruments read 16.37 9, thus the condition RA 50/Ia is respected. However, considering that the RCD is essential for protection, it must be tested as follows.

11

12

Operational of Residual Current Devices (RCDs). The IEC 60364-6 requires the testing of the RCDs generating a fault current up to the rated residual operating current I,n. The RCD testers can perform the tests for single phase and three phase RCDs by measuring the tripping time. Below is an example of an RCD test on a TT system (Fig 12).
L1 L2 L3 N PE

c) For IT systems
Calculation or measurement of the first fault current. Where similar conditions to TT or TN systems occur, verification is likewise similar as described above.
Note: During the measurement of the fault loop impedance, it is necessary to establish a connection of negligible impedance between the neutral point of the system and the protective conductor at the origin of the installation.

Ro

RE

Fig 12

Measurement of the earth electrode resistance Measurement of the resistance of an earth electrode for TT, TN and IT systems, shall be made by the Volt -Amperometric method using two auxiliary earth electrodes. The instrument that covers this requirement is the Earth Tester. The drawing below shows a practical example of measurement of the earth electrode resistance (Fig 13).

The IEC 60364 does not specify precise trip time limits. However as a limit value one should consider the tripping times of 1s as a result of discrimination on TTsystems. In fact, to provide the discrimination with type S (selective) RCDs, a max operating time of 1s is permitted in distribution circuits. It is also good practice to consider even more stringent trip time limits, by following the standard values of trip times at I,n defined by IEC 1009 (EN 61009) and IEC 1008 (EN 61008). These trip time limits are listed in the table below:
EARTH ELECTRODE UNDER TEST

AUXILIARY EARTH ELECTRODES

Fig 13

Type of RCD General (G) Selective (S)

Test at I,n 300 ms max. allowed value 500 ms max. allowed value 130 ms min. allowed value

Note: The auxiliary earth electrodes must be placed at sufficient distance from the earth electrode under test in order to avoid overlapping of the resistance areas of the electrodes.

Note: These tripping time values are applicable to RCDs correctly installed according to the manufacturer specifications.

13

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6.6 POLARITY TEST

Where the rules require double pole switches, a test shall be made to verify that the poles of such devices are connected correctly to the appropriate conductor. Where in a three-phase system it is necessary to check the phase sequence (rotation), a test shall be made to verify that the devices (i.e.motors), are connected in the correct phase sequence by a Phase rotation tester. Below are two examples of Polarity test , the Fig 14 shows a polarity test to determine the phase conductor using a Digital Multimeter as a voltmeter and the Fig 15 shows a polarity test to determinate the phase rotation.
L N

7. PERIODIC INSPECTION AND TESTING

Periodic inspection and testing of the electrical installations is carried out to determine whether the installations (or parts of the them) have deteriorated to the extent that renders them unsafe to use, and that they comply with the installation rules, unless otherwise required by national rules or by national statutory requirements. In addition it includes the examination of the effects of any change in use of the premises from that for which the installation was previously provided. The guidance information given in the Chapter 5 of this pamphlet for initial verification is in principle valid also for periodic inspection and testing.

7.1 FREQUENCY OF PERIODIC INSPECTION AND TESTING

After initial verification, the periodic inspection and testing of the electrical installations shall be carried out at regular intervals whose frequency is determined by the characteristics of the installation, its use and environment. The maximum period between inspections is usually specified in national statutory requirements. The interval may be, for instance, three years, with the exception of the following cases where a higher risk may exist and shorter periods may be required: working places or locations where risks of degradation, fire or explosion exist; working places or locations where both high and low voltage installations exist; buildings open to the public; construction sites; locations where portable equipment is used. For residential use, longer periods may be appropriate. Periodic inspection and testing may be replaced, in case of extended electrical installations (e.g. in large industries), by an adequate safety regime of continuous monitoring and maintenance of equipment and installations by skilled people.

PE

Fig 14

L1 L2 L3

Fig 15

7.2 EXTENT OF THE PERIODIC INSPECTION AND TESTING

The periodic inspection and testing should include as a minimum the following tests: inspection, including the protection against direct contact (e.g. good conditions of barriers and distances), and protection against fire, continuity of all protective conductors, insulation resistance, protection against indirect contact.
Note: If the protection used against indirect contact is the automatic disconnection of the supp the tests will be: Loop test, Earth test, RCDs test (refer to Chapter 6.5 of this guide).

6.7 FUNCTIONAL TESTS

Assemblies, such as switchgear and control gear assemblies, drives, controls and interlocks, shall be subjected to a functional test to show that they are properly mounted, adjusted and installed in accordance with the relevant requirements of the IEC 60364. Protective devices shall be submitted to functional tests, if necessary, in order to check if they are properly installed and adjusted.

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8. CROSS-TABLE TESTS / INSTRUMENTS

The table below provides an easy cross reference between the tests required by IEC 60364/6 and the instruments which can perform such tests. It also facilitates the choice of instruments. For further information and updates on instrument features please refer to Kyoritsu catalogue or visit Kyoritsu web site: http://www.kew-ltd.co.jp

9. RERIODIC INSPECTION REPORT

The results of any periodic inspection and test shall be recorded on a report, which shall include, in addition to all information concerning visual inspections and tests carried out, records of relevant results, information about any modifications or extensions and any non-compliance with the rules, specifying the parts of the installation concerned.

TESTS
6015 6011A

KYO R I T S U
6010A 3131A 3132A

INSTRUMENTS
3005A 3007A 5406A 4102A 4105A 4116A 4118A 4120A 8030 8031

Continuity at 200 mA Insulation at 500V Insulation at 250, 500, 1000V Loop Impedance Fault Current RCD Trip Time RCD Trip Current Earth Resistance Phase Rotation Download results to Pc

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