Most Common Lighting Circuits

Contents
Dead tests radial final ............................................................................................................................. 2
Dead tests ring final ................................................................................................................................ 2
Live tests ................................................................................................................................................. 3
1. One way two plate .......................................................................................................................... 3
2. One way three plate loop in method .............................................................................................. 4
3. One way three plate neutral at each point ..................................................................................... 4
4. Two way two plate .......................................................................................................................... 5
5. Two way three plate loop in conversion method ........................................................................... 5
6. Two way three plate neutral at each point..................................................................................... 6
7. Two way three plate loop in conversion with two fittings and one way three plate loop in ......... 6
 Dead tests radial final
Test 1 – Continuity, Polarity and R1+R2

• Install a temporary link between the live conductor of the circuit under test and the cpc
• Set test instrument to low ohms
• Continuity - Place test probes on the live and cpc at each point (a low ohm reading is
expected, a high ohm reading is either a fault or switches in the off position)
• Polarity – Place test leads on the switched live and the cpc at the ceiling rose, operate all
switches to confirm only the live conductor is switched.
• R1+R2 – During the polarity test, record the highest reading when the switches are operated
• Remove temporary link

Test 2 - Insulation resistance for both ring and radial final circuits and three phase

• Remove all loads from the system

• Set test instrument to 500V (if not sure use 250V before testing at 500V to avoid damage to
equipment)
• At the fuse board test (L-N, L-E, N-E)
• Place the test probes on the live conductor and neutral and press the test button
• Place the test probes on the live conductor and cpc and press the test button
• Place the test probes on the neutral conductor and cpc and press the test button
• For a three phase system test:- L1-L2, L1-L3, L1-N, L1-E, L2-L3, L2-N, L2-E, L3-N, L3-E, N-E
• If testing a lighting system, be sure to test all strappers by switching the lights on and off at
each switch

Dead tests ring final

• Disconnect all tails
• Select low resistance Ohm meter
• Test end to end and record R1, R2, Rn
𝑅1+𝑅2 𝑅1+𝑅𝑛
• Calculate on back of form 4
𝑎𝑛𝑑 4
• Create table for polarity

Socket no. R1+R2 R1+Rn Polarity Problem

1 0.25 infinity X R1/R2 crossed
2 infinity 0.25 X R1/Rn crossed
3 0.5 0.25 X High resistance R1 or R2
4 0.38 0.38 X or ✔ Spur socket or interconnection
5 infinity infinity X Socket switch off

• Figure of 8 connection R1, R2

• Record R1+R2 in created table
• Record highest in schedule of test results
• Figure of 8 connection R1, Rn
• Record R1+Rn in created table
• Analyse table and record polarity
Live tests
Earth fault loop impedance (Zs)

Prospective short circuit current (Pscc and Pefc)

RCDs

Functional test

Fault finding
Fault type Test required Instrument used Healthy circuit Faulty circuit
Open circuit Continuity Low resistance ohm Low reading No reading
meter
Short circuit Insulation Insulation resistance >1MΩ 0Ω
resistance tester
High resistance Insulation Insulation resistance >1MΩ >0.01, <1MΩ
resistance tester
Crossed polarity Continuity Low resistance ohm Low reading • No reading
meter • Check other terminals

1. One way two plate

2. One way three plate loop in method

3. One way three plate neutral at each point

4. Two way two plate

5. Two way three plate loop in conversion method

6. Two way three plate neutral at each point

7. Two way three plate loop in conversion with two fittings and
one way three plate loop in