ONE WAY SWITCHING

CEILING ROSE

1 GANG 1 WAY
SWITCH

CONSUMER UNIT

1
TWO WAY SWITCHING

CEILING ROSE

1 GANG 2 WAY
SWITCH

1 GANG 2 WAY
SWITCH

CONSUMER UNIT

2
INTERMEDIATE SWITCHING

CEILING ROSE

1 GANG 2 WAY
SWITCH

INTERMEDIATE
SWITCH

1 GANG 2 WAY
SWITCH

3
JOINT BOX METHOD

1 GANG 1 WAY
SWITCH

4
ONE WAY & 2 WAY + INTERMEDIATE
SWITCHING

5
No. 7 a (part 2)

PVC Wiring 1 (Simple Lighting Circuits)

Student Name ................................................ Start Date..............

Instruction to Trainee
First produce the wiring diagrams for the ‘3’ stages of the lighting circuit.
Then on a wooden board layout the 3 surface light switch boxes, 1 round
lighting pattress and 1 two way 63 amp consumers unit. Then surface wire
and clip in 1.0mm2 thermoplastic PVC and c.p.c cables to produce the
lighting circuit shown below. The circuit should be tested and marked after
each of the ‘3’ stages. All cables should be clipped straight, flat and have
acceptable bending radius.

Stage 1 : Light ‘A’ switched via switch ‘1’ (1 way switching)

Stage 2 : Light ‘A’ switched via switch ‘1’ and ‘2’ (2 way switching)

Stage 3 : Light ‘A’ switched via switch ‘1’, ‘2’ and ‘3’ (2 way and
intermediate switching)

6
 TESTING

Why Test

All circuits require testing to prove that they operate correctly, are
safe to use and all equipment is correctly selected and erected.

Continuity of C.P.C

The circuit protective conductor must be continuous from source

(consumers unit) to the furthest point on the circuit. The resistance
of the c.p.c is tested and the result is recorded in ohms.

Polarity

Proves that the circuit switch and fuse within the line conductor.

Insulation Resistance

This test proves that the insulation of the circuit conductors has not
broken down through age or during installation.

7
Test Sequence for Combined Continuity of CPC & Polarity

FIRST Ensure circuit(s) is isolated before starting testing all fuses

are fitted, switches closed (on) and loads removed.
Continuity of CPC (students come up with list)
• Select an ohm meter

• Inspect instrument and leads

• Check battery

• Set to ohms

• Remove resistance of leads

• Test link

• Link line and c.p.c in the consumers unit of the circuit under
test

• Test between line (switched conductor) and c.p.c at all points

and record the highest result

• Record highest reading in ohms as R1 + R2 (line + c.p.c)

Polarity (students come up with list)
• Open and close switch(es) for lighting point(s) leaving them
closed (on)
• Repeat test for other lighting points on that circuit
Test Results
Circuit description Fuse size Cable size Continuity Ω Insulation
resistance
Polarity

and type mm2 MΩ ✓

Live CPC R1+R2 R2 Ring

8
Positioning the Link for Continuity Test

The link is inserted within the consumers unit between line and
c.p.c of the circuit that requires testing. Great care must be taken to
remove the link before energizing the consumer unit.

9
COMBINED CONTINUITY OF CPC AND POLARITY OF A LIGHTING
CIRCUIT
Stage 1
Test between switching live and cpc at the furthest lighting point record the highest reading in ohms
under the box headed R1 + R2. Next operate switch (es) to prove polarity of that lighting point
leaving the switch (es) in the on position.

10
COMBINED CONTINUITY OF CPC AND POLARITY OF A LIGHTING
CIRCUIT
Stage 2
The test at the switch (es) of the furthest lighting point will prove continuity to this point this test is
required during an initial inspection or where metal switch plates are used on lighting circuits.

11
COMBINED CONTINUITY OF CPC AND POLARITY OF A LIGHTING
CIRCUIT
Stage 3
Repeat test for all other lighting points on that circuit in order to prove polarity leaving each lighting
point in the on position.

12
COMBINED CONTINUITY OF CPC AND POLARITY OF A LIGHTING
CIRCUIT
Stage 4
The test at the switch (es) of all the lighting point to prove continuity to this point this test is required
during an initial inspection or where metal switch plates are used on lighting circuits.

13
COMBINED CONTINUITY OF CPC AND POLARITY OF A LIGHTING
CIRCUIT
Stage 5
The test at the switch (es) of all the lighting point to prove continuity to this point this test is required
during an initial inspection or where metal switch plates are used on lighting circuits.

14
Continuity of c.p.c and polarity when the lamp holder is an
Edison screw type

NOTE whilst training at 2330 Level 2 the lamp holders used

will NOT be Edison screw.

15
Test Sequence for Insulation Resistance for Circuits that are
not Additionally Protected by RCD’s or RCBO’s

FIRST Ensure circuit(s) is isolated before starting testing, all

fuses are fitted, switches closed (on), covers are on and loads
removed.

• Select an insulation resistance tester

• Inspect instrument and leads

• Check battery

• Set to 500 volts dc/200 megohms at 1 mA for 230 volt

systems

• At the tails test between live conductors (line and neutral)

• Record reading in megohms (minimum of 1 megohm)

• At the tails test between line and earthing conductor

• Record reading in megohms (minimum of 1 megohm)

• At the tails test between neutral and earthing conductor

• Record reading in megohms (minimum of 1 megohm)

Test Results
Circuit description Fuse size Cable size Continuity Ω Insulation
resistance
Polarity

and type mm2 MΩ ✓

Live CPC R1+R2 R2 Ring

16
INSULATION RESISTANCE TEST
Stage 1
Test between live conductors

17
Stage 2
Test between line conductor and earthing conductor

Stage 3
Test between neutral conductor and earthing conductor

NOTE with the increase use of electronic RCD’s and RCBO’s

to protect final circuits this method of testing for insulation
resistance is not acceptable due to the high test voltage that
would pass through them causing damage to the RCD or
RCBO’s.

18
Test Sequence for Insulation Resistance for Circuits that are
Additionally Protected by a Main RCD’s Switch (students
come up with list)

FIRST Ensure circuit(s) is isolated before starting testing, all

fuses are fitted, circuit switches closed (on), covers are on and
loads removed.

• Select an insulation resistance tester

• Inspect instrument and leads

• Check battery

• Set to 500 volts dc/200 megohms at 1 mA for 230 volt

systems

• Turn off main RCD switch

• Disconnect out going circuit(s) line, neutral and c.p.c

Stage 1
• Test between out going line and neutral record reading in
megohms (minimum of 1 megohm)

Stage 2
• Test between out going line and c.p.c record reading in
megohms (minimum of 1 megohm)

Stage 3
• Test between out going neutral and c.p.c record reading in
megohms (minimum of 1 megohm)

• Reconnect out going circuit(s) line, neutral and c.p.c and

replace consumer unit cover

19
Stage 4
• At the tails test between live conductors (line and neutral)

Stage 5
• At the tails test between line and earthing conductor

Stage 6
• At the tails test between neutral and earthing conductor

Test Results
Circuit description Fuse size Cable size Continuity Ω Insulation
resistance
Polarity

and type mm2 MΩ ✓

Live CPC R1+R2 R2 Ring

Stage 1
Testing from the disconnected circuit between line and neutral
conductors

20
Stage 2
Testing from the disconnected circuit between line and c.p.c
conductors

Stage 3
Testing from the disconnected circuit between neutral and c.p.c
conductors

21
Stage 4
Testing at the tails test between live conductors (line and
neutral) with the main switch off

Stage 5
Testing at the tails test between line and earthing conductors
with the main switch off

22
Stage 6
Testing at the tails test between neutral and earthing conductors
with the main switch off

23
 Exercise No. 7 a (part 2)

PVC Wiring 1 (Simple Lighting Circuits)

Test Results Stage ‘1’
Circuit description Fuse size and Cable size Ring Final Circuit Continuity Ω Insulation resistance Polarity

type mm2 Continuity Ω MΩ ✓

Live CPC r1 rn r2 R1+R2 L/N L/E N/E

Continuity of protective bonding conductor __________

24
 Exercise No. 7 a (part 2)

PVC Wiring 1 (Simple Lighting Circuits)

Test Results Stage ‘2’
Circuit description Fuse size and Cable size Ring Final Circuit Continuity Ω Insulation resistance Polarity

type mm2 Continuity Ω MΩ ✓

Live CPC r1 rn r2 R1+R2 L/N L/E N/E

Continuity of protective bonding conductor __________

25
 Exercise No. 7 a (part 2)

PVC Wiring 1 (Simple Lighting Circuits)

Test Results Stage ‘3’
Circuit description Fuse size and Cable size Ring Final Circuit Continuity Ω Insulation resistance Polarity

type mm2 Continuity Ω MΩ ✓

Live CPC r1 rn r2 R1+R2 L/N L/E N/E

Continuity of protective bonding conductor __________

26
Exercise No. 7 a (part 2)

PVC Wiring 1 (Simple Lighting Circuits)

Marking Criteria 1-way 2-way Inter

Job carried out in a safe manner

All accessories undamaged and assembled
Acceptable insulation removed
Correct termination of conductors
Acceptable amount of spare at termination
Termination’s tight
Termination’s doubled over
Cables clipped straight and flat
Acceptable clipped distance
Acceptable bending radius
Switch termination identified N/A
Circuit functional
Circuit test results completed
Wiring diagrams produced
Work area tidy
Assessor Feedback and Learner Response

Assessor ........................................................ Date ......................

27
Exercise No. 7 a (part 3)

PVC Wiring 1 (Simple Lighting Circuits)

Student Name ................................................ Start Date .............

Instruction to Trainee
On a wooden board layout the 3 surface light switch boxes, 3 round
lighting pattress and 1 two way 63 amp consumers unit. Then surface
wire and clip in 1.0mm2 thermoplastic PVC and c.p.c cables to produce
the lighting circuit shown below. The circuit should be tested and marked
after each of the ‘3’ stages. All cables should be clipped straight, flat and
have acceptable bending radius.

Stage 1 : Light ‘A’ switched via switch ‘1’ (1 way switching)

Stage 2 : Light ‘B’ switched via switch ‘2’ (1 way switching)

Stage 3 : Light ‘C’ switched via switch ‘3’ (1 way switching)

28
 Exercise No. 7 a (part 3)

PVC Wiring 1 (Simple Lighting Circuits)

Test Results Stage ‘1’
Circuit description Fuse size and Cable size Ring Final Circuit Continuity Ω Insulation resistance Polarity

type mm2 Continuity Ω MΩ ✓

Live CPC r1 rn r2 R1+R2 L/N L/E N/E

Continuity of protective bonding conductor __________

29
 Exercise No. 7 a (part 3)

PVC Wiring 1 (Simple Lighting Circuits)

Test Results Stage ‘2’
Circuit description Fuse size and Cable size Ring Final Circuit Continuity Ω Insulation resistance Polarity

type mm2 Continuity Ω MΩ ✓

Live CPC r1 rn r2 R1+R2 L/N L/E N/E

Continuity of protective bonding conductor __________

30
 Exercise No. 7 a (part 3)

PVC Wiring 1 (Simple Lighting Circuits)

Test Results Stage ‘3’
Circuit description Fuse size and Cable size Ring Final Circuit Continuity Ω Insulation resistance Polarity

type mm2 Continuity Ω MΩ ✓

Live CPC r1 rn r2 R1+R2 L/N L/E N/E

Continuity of protective bonding conductor _______

31
Exercise No. 7 a (part 3)

PVC Wiring 1 (Simple Lighting Circuits)

Marking Criteria Stage Stage Stage

1 2 3
Job carried out in a safe manner
All accessories undamaged and assembled
Acceptable insulation removed
Correct termination of conductors
Acceptable amount of spare at termination
Termination’s tight
Termination’s doubled over
Cables clipped straight and flat
Acceptable clipped distance
Acceptable bending radius
Circuit functional
Circuit test results completed
Wiring diagrams produced
Work area tidy
Assessor Feedback and Learner Response

Assessor ........................................................ Date ..........................

32
 PERMITTED CABLE ROUTES

Cable Routing

In installations such as domestic homes used by people defined by

BS 7671 ordinary persons a cable(s) is concealed in a wall or
partition at a depth less than 50 mm from the surface it must be
mechanically protected with either earthed metallic conduit,
trunking or ducting. This extra protection will help prevent cables
being damaged by things like drilling and nails. Alternatively to
mechanical protection or burying at a depth of 50 mm or greater is
to protect the circuit via an RCD (residual current device) rated at
no greater than 30 mA. Cables should be installed either
horizontally within 150 mm of the top of the wall or partition or
vertically within 150 mm of the angle formed by two walls, or run
horizontally or vertically to an accessory or consumer unit in order
to reduce the risk of drilling or nailing into the wiring system. If
cables are installed outside of the permitted cable zones then they
must either be mechanically protected or buried at a depth greater
than 50mm.

33
2 PLATE ONE WAY SWITCHING

1 GANG 1 WAY
SWITCH

34
2 PLATE 2 WAY SWITCHING

35
2 PLATE 2 WAY AND INTERMEDIATE SWITCHING

36