periodic test

[dochisholm]

ok i am confused by other posts on here I have to complete a PIR on a house for rental. The client will not pay for me to have apart every switch, light, socket. What do I do what do you do. Do you check a percentage of accesories fittings and write that percentage down as a limitation? Do you do a loop test at end of line only on radial circuits if so is this a limitation. Please help differing advice on here. Any example pir would be appreciated

 

[nickblake]

Yes the R1&R2 should be tested at the end of line and you are correct in saying if they do have multiple ends as the often do that the highest reading be put down ,also mark that the is multiple ends on the comments box too , the other thing i do is to test the R1&R2 at several points along the circuit to this will confirm polarity along the circuit , i do this due to finding on a couple of lighting circuits where the DIYer has added some lights and got the polarity wrong i just a section of the circuit ,by this i mean polarity crosses at one point and then crossed back at another point , no what you'd expect but i has and does happen , as for the 25% of the installation if you work out an average say check one socket in each room and a number of light switches this is the connections and wiring in the switch if you do have lots of metal faced switches you can quickly check these by doing the R2 test with a wonder lead as jonny pointed out

 

[dochisholm]

ok nick so if i am correct i write in my limitations 25% visual check? perform these checks if all is not well extend sample if it is continue to next circuit. The testing i am ok with its just the sampling limitations i was stuck with. Thank you very much. I agree it is good practice to do r2 on every metal faceplate however would i be right in saying for arguments sake if there was one without earth amoungst the installtion that wasnt in your sample you would not be accountable.

 

[Sintra]

IMO you should check all metal switches with a wander lead for R2 and visually open and inspect the 25% and note this as a limitation. Once you have the wander lead connected to the cu it will only take a matter of minutes to go round all the metal switches and this way you have covered your rear.

 

[nickblake]

As sintra has said the time it takes you to nip round all the light switches is minimal ,If i inspect switches and find one thats not earthed even if i have put a 25% limitation i will check them all its so easy once you are set up to do this , ill give you an example i carried out an inspection today on a building 26 wall lights , i inspected 6 tested at 3 as they were on 3 circuits then used an R2 wander lead just to confim that they all were earthed like sintra say cover your rear , dont rush it take your time , and depending on the size of the installation it should take you a minimum of 3 to 4 hours

 

[dochisholm]

thanks sintra

 

[tony mc]

Dont know if its been covered but when using the wander lead it also gives you a good idea where the end of the radial is.

 

[nelson19]

if you agree all the limitations first and note it on the cert. you cannot be penalised for not checking something the client told you not to. your only responsible for what you test and inspect mate. if its limited your not responsible for it. if they just want the cert without inspecting and testing it properly just walk away, not worth the chow with tight *****.