Advice and guidance
energised and isolated. Then, using a high resistance
Taking you step by step through procedures
and requirements for electrical installations
Insulation resistance testing
Carrying out an insulation resistance test
gives an indication of the condition of
the insulation of conductors and any
equipment to which they are connected.
Effective insulation is necessary to
provide basic protection and to prevent
short-circuits and earth faults.
An insulator should have high insulation resistance,
typically many megohms (M⍀).
The insulation resistance of a conductor is inversely
proportional to its length – that is, its insulation resistance
decreases as the conductor’s length increases and vice
versa. It follows that the insulation resistance of a
complete electrical installation, or a section of it, will be
less than that of a single circuit of that installation.
By reference to Table 61 of BS 7671, Regulation 612.3.2
indicates that the minimum acceptable value of insulation
resistance for a distribution circuit with a distribution
board or consumer unit and all its final circuits connected
is 1 M⍀. Although values of this order particularly in a new
installation, would warrant further investigation.
Prior to carrying out an insulation resistance test, any
equipment likely to influence the test results obtained, or
be damaged by the test voltage, such as surge protective
devices, dimmers, electronic switches and high
frequency luminaires, should be disconnected.
Where it is not reasonably practicable to disconnect such
equipment, or where doubt exists as to whether all such
equipment has been disconnected, the following options
are available:
• Insulation resistance may be measured between
live conductors and protective conductor(s) with all
live (line and neutral) conductors connected together
(Regulations 612.3.1 and 612.3.3 refer). Where this
method is used, there is no potential difference
between the line and neutral terminals of connected
equipment that could adversely affect the internal
components.
Confirm that the circuit or circuits to be tested are de-
FIG 1 Insulation resistance between live
conductors
• The test voltage applied may be reduced to 250 V d.c.
but the minimum acceptable value of insulation
resistance remains 1 M⍀ (see Regulation 612.3.2).
RCDs may also affect insulation resistance test results. It
may therefore be necessary to disconnect RCDs while the
tests are performed and/or to test the wiring on the load
side of RCDs separately, to ensure the wiring is included in
the testing.
The procedure for performing insulation resistance testing
as part of the initial verification of a single-phase low voltage
(230 V) is as follows:
Temporarily disconnect or isolate equipment likely to be
damaged by the test voltage or influence the test results.
Place all switches in the ON position. Two-way and, where
fitted, intermediate, switches will need to be operated
during the test procedure to ensure that all live conductors
are subjected to the testing.
ohmmeter set to 500 V d.c. and to the highest
resistance range on the instrument, carry out the
following test procedure and record the results
obtained.
• Test between line and neutral on the load side
of the main switch (in the OFF/isolation position,
but with all the circuit protective devices in the
ON position), as shown in Fig 1.
• Then test between live conductors and circuit
protective conductor connected to the means of
earthing (with the main switch and all the circuit
protective devices in the ON position), as shown
in Fig 2.
FIG 2 Insulation resistance between
live conductors and Earth
However, where the consumer unit has been
connected to the meter, the test must be carried out
on the load side of the main switch (in the
OFF/isolation position, but with all the circuit
protective devices in the ON position).
It is essential that, when performing an insulation
resistance test between live and protective
conductors, the protective conductors are connected
to the earthing arrangement – that is, to the general
mass of the Earth (Regulation 612.3.1 refers).
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The connection to Earth is typically achieved by the
protective conductor being connected to the main
earthing terminal (MET) of the installation, to which
the earthing and main protective bonding conductors
are also connected, with the MET connected to the
earthing arrangement (the distributor’s earthing
facility (TN system) or the installation earth electrode
(TT system), as applicable).
Having the protective conductors connected to Earth
during the test has the advantage that the test might
detect any contact between a live conductor and any
‘unearthed’ metalwork (such as a concealed part of
the building fabric or an isolated section of pipework).
If the unearthed metalwork has some relatively low
resistance contact with Earth (even hundreds of
thousands of ohms), the defect can be identified by
the person using the insulation test instrument. Such
a dangerous defect might be caused by the
penetration of a nail, screw or similar making contact
with a live conductor and the unearthed metalwork. If
not corrected, the defect would create a risk of
electric shock.
In many cases there will be a significant time interval
between the initial placement of conductors
(sometimes referred to as ‘first fixing’) and the final
handover of the installation. It is possible for damage
to have occurred during this time when, for example,
cables were plastered over and flooring and ceilings
were installed.
It is essential therefore that all the relevant inspection
and tests are performed as part of the initial
verification of the electrical installation. In many
cases, this will require inspections and tests carried
out earlier to be repeated. It may not be safe to rely
on inspection and test results obtained at an early
stage of the installation process.
Initial verification must be carried out by skilled
person(s) competent in such work (Regulation 610.5).
Where the inspection and testing has been carried
out by an NICEIC Approved Contractor or an NICEIC
or ELECSA Registered Domestic Installer, the results
of the inspection and testing should be carefully
reviewed by the registered Qualified Supervisor.
Further advice can be found in the
NICEIC and ELECSA book - Inspection ,
Testing and Certification
newly updated to the 3rd amendment
of BS 7671 Wiring Regulations.