Understanding Electrical

Inspection And Testing

Inspection and testing can refer to many different situations at all voltage
levels. This blog focuses on electrical safety inspection and testing in relation
to low voltage systems and includes requirements for electrical installations
and also the in-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment.

What is electrical inspection and testing?

The intention of inspection and testing is to assist a Duty Holder to
demonstrate that electrical systems are safely constructed and maintained to
avoid electrical danger occurring. The frequency of it is decided by the Duty
Holder and takes into account the recommendation of the designer (in the
case of initial verification) or the inspecting engineer (for periodic and in-
service inspection and testing).

Importance for electrical work

The need to undertake inspection and testing relates to the requirements of
regulation 4 of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989. Regulation 4(1)
requires electrical systems to be of such construction so as to avoid danger.
This is initial verification of electrical installations whereby inspection and
testing confirms that both the designers intentions and the requirements of BS
7671 have been met. Work is certified, through an Electrical Installation
Certificate or a Minor Works Certificate.

Regulation 4(2) requires electrical systems, including electrical installations

and electrical equipment to be maintained, if danger would otherwise
exist. Periodic inspection and testing of electrical installations verifies if
existing maintenance programmes are effective and if the electrical installation
is foreseeably safe for continued use. An Electrical Installation Condition
Report is issued. For electrical equipment, in-service inspection and
testing is undertaken and a report prepared. We often refer to this
as Portable Appliance Testing.

Who is qualified to carry it out?

Person undertaking the electrical inspection and testing must be competent.
This not only means that they should be trained (have knowledge)
and experienced in the electrical safety principles and the equipment used,
but they should have familiarity with the electrical system and the
equipment connected to it. Furthermore, in the case of periodic inspection
and testing, the inspecting engineer should be conversant with the current
requirements and standards, and also the requirements and standards that
were in force when work was originally completed. This is so that they can
fully evaluate the safety of the system and its suitability for continued use, and
the recommendations and observations identified.

In the case of initial verification, which includes certifying new electrical

installations, alterations made to an existing electrical installation
and additions made to an existing electrical installation, the signatories
are certifying the design, construction and inspection and testing and full
compliance of the work undertaken. Such certificate is ordinarily issued, and
the electrical system put into service, only once all defects have been
rectified and all test results have been verified as being within acceptable
limits. For periodic inspection and testing, Electrical Installation Condition
Reports can be signed and issued with defects in place, as the inspecting
engineer is providing a professional opinion on the condition of an existing
electrical installation and is making recommendation on improvements that
should be made.
Initial verification requires all mandated inspection and testing to be completed
in a set sequence to ensure that it is safe to put an electrical installation into
service. Systems should never be energised until all inspections and the
required dead tests have been completed and found to be satisfactory. On
energisation, all remaining testing must be completed before that electrical
installation is put into use.

On no account should electrical installations be energised and put into

service before the initial verification process has been completed.

The extent of any periodic inspection and testing, and any

permitted limitations should be agreed between the Duty Holder and the
inspecting engineer before work commences. There may be a need to
review the agreements as the work progresses, taking account of the results
of the inspection and testing completed and any operational challenges that
are identified. Although the sequence should be completed in as logical an
order as possible, it is permitted to undertake the inspections and testing in
the most appropriate sequence provided that safety is maintained. In some
cases, prescribed tests may be omitted or adapted, provided that both the
Duty Holder and the inspecting engineer are in agreement.

Test instruments should be suitable for the task, taking account of BS EN
61010 and BE EN 61557. Test leads should comply with HSE guidance
document GS 38. The accuracy of test instruments must be verified, the
easiest way of achieving this is to annually, or more frequently, have test
instruments calibrated.

In addition to the legal requirements of ensuring that electrical systems remain

safe, many insurance companies mandate inspection and testing
programmes for both fixed wiring and electrical equipment, and the production
of suitable certificates and reports before claims are processed. Discovering
after a fire has occurred that insurance cover has been invalidated by failing
to produce inspection and test records can prove to be very expensive.