ELECSA Certification Scheme Ring final continuity readings and Elecsa assessment looming...

[markc123]

Aye fingers crossed. Let us know how it goes. It'll seem so obvious when you've solved it and you'll be wondering what the fuss was about lol.

 

[robsparky1975]

Dont stress yourself out too much as the elecsa blokes are mostly time served sparks and are not there to pick holes,just make sure that you meet the criteria,with the readings on the ring that you have at some sockets tolerances on mfts can jump around as mentioned,leads being the cause in a lot of instances,zero them before testing if you can,you will be fine just take a step back if needs be,GN3 is a good buy and at least if you cant answer a question on the spot you can pick it up for reference on your assessment.

 

[markc123]

Agreed with that...elesca guys are just there to make sure what you're doing is safe.

 

[mpoy222]

Just to update, I disconnected the earth to the boiler and the reading went straight up to 0.65 ohms! result, but still not the 1 ohm(ish) i was looking for so maybe another parallel path somewhere. I took off a few other earths but it stayed the same. I dont know if the Elecsa assessor is going to expect me to get a higher reading than that or maybe just explain why i think its that low? I dont want to get too side tracked by this one thing i know there is a lot of other things i need to worry about too!!!
Michael

 

[markc123]

Have you gone round and made sure all connections are tight?...could be a loose earth at a random socket on the circuit...

 

[partypest]

The assessor from Elecsa will be right behind you, in a positive way. They'll be very interested to hear how you searched for the cause of your unexpected readings. So long as you can demonstrate your safe isolation, testing technique and a bit of Part P knowledge, you'll be fine. The OSG is there for a reason, and they won't mind you looking at that for any answer you don't know off the top your head. I remember my assessment and I had complete panic blindness and they were asking me stuff that I would know at any other time but my head went blank. Other big things, make sure you've got all the other paperwork together and the right publications. It's stressful, but you'll get through it.

 

[Richard Burns]

Just to update, I disconnected the earth to the boiler and the reading went straight up to 0.65 ohms! result, but still not the 1 ohm(ish) i was looking for so maybe another parallel path somewhere. I took off a few other earths but it stayed the same. I dont know if the Elecsa assessor is going to expect me to get a higher reading than that or maybe just explain why i think its that low? I dont want to get too side tracked by this one thing i know there is a lot of other things i need to worry about too!!!
Michael

If you explain (if they should ask, unlikely) that you felt that the CPC resistance result was low due to parallel paths from the existing installation, you made investigations and found one partial resolution.
The calculations done indicate that the circuit would be complaint in either case (whether there was a parallel path or not) and so you believe that the addition you have made is safe for continued use and complaint with the regulations. The cost to the customer of further investigation was not justified since the addition is believed to be safe and compliant even if there are some unresolved earthing/bonding considerations in the existing circuit.

I think this will demonstrate that you are not blindly writing down figures with no understanding and that you have made your best efforts to ensure that there are no significant safety issues with your installation.

If your assessor has a problem with this then you can investigate further during the assessment and you can ask your assessor how this may be best resolved or if he can identify the cause himself, he may be able to help, that is potentially why they are there!

 

[Des 56]

i think I have lost the plot on this one

You have changed a consumer unit
You have verified a ring final has end to end continuity
You have established Zs on each outlet is within limits
You have spent days looking for and worrying about probable parallel earth paths that are making cpc readings better than expected

If this was a new installation and this were initial verification, then all well and good,but this is a consumer unit change,the circuit has been established as safe for reconnection,that is what you are expected to ascertain

You have the probable reasons why the readings vary and could answer the assessors questions if required
Why rip an "existing" installation to bits to find what can be explained by installation variations that are usual and often present

 

[Guitarist]

i think I have lost the plot on this one

You have changed a consumer unit
You have verified a ring final has end to end continuity
You have established Zs on each outlet is within limits
You have spent days looking for and worrying about probable parallel earth paths that are making cpc readings better than expected

If this was a new installation and this were initial verification, then all well and good,but this is a consumer unit change,the circuit has been established as safe for reconnection,that is what you are expected to ascertain

You have the probable reasons why the readings vary and could answer the assessors questions if required
Why rip an "existing" installation to bits to find what can be explained by installation variations that are usual and often present

I think it's more about understanding how it works for him. Better that he practices on his own installation than charge someone for the experience

 

[partypest]

Michael, how did it go?

 

[mpoy222]

Had my assessment yesterday and passed with an A. It was very relaxed and was mostly just chatting about Elecsa. I referred to the electricians guide to the building regs a few times when asked questions. I had a few blank moments when i was asked the most simple of questions! I done a Ze test, PFC, PSCC, RCD test, a Zs on one socket and was asked to do an end to end on the ring circuit i had a dodgy reading on. I explained the situation straight away and he said the fact i spotted it and new it was a parallel path was fine. (so big thanks to all the advice given on here about it) After 6 weeks of build up and stressing i feel a bit deflated, it really is nothing to worry about in the slightest the Elecsa guys are there to advise and guide you more than try and catch you out. I didn't even get any non conformaties or recommendations which i was surprised about. He said i should still look for any parallel paths just for my own peace of mind and to help me when i come across it again which I probably will on the next job! Thanks for all the advice once again. Now i need to start earning some money!
Michael

 

[markc123]

Had my assessment yesterday and passed with an A. It was very relaxed and was mostly just chatting about Elecsa. I referred to the electricians guide to the building regs a few times when asked questions. I had a few blank moments when i was asked the most simple of questions! I done a Ze test, PFC, PSCC, RCD test, a Zs on one socket and was asked to do an end to end on the ring circuit i had a dodgy reading on. I explained the situation straight away and he said the fact i spotted it and new it was a parallel path was fine. (so big thanks to all the advice given on here about it) After 6 weeks of build up and stressing i feel a bit deflated, it really is nothing to worry about in the slightest the Elecsa guys are there to advise and guide you more than try and catch you out. I didn't even get any non conformaties or recommendations which i was surprised about. He said i should still look for any parallel paths just for my own peace of mind and to help me when i come across it again which I probably will on the next job! Thanks for all the advice once again. Now i need to start earning some money!
Michael

See, nothing to worry about

It's just your look that its Friday...if you're feeling deflated, get yourself down to the pub and have a pint...or 50.

 

[partypest]

I was like a bunny in the headlights during the site visit. He was speaking words, they were in English, but I couldn't make any sense of them. I did calm down a bit, but when I was doing my Ze and PFC etc, my hands were shaking like Ozzy Osbourne's! For anybody else out there who's waiting for a P assessment, it's all about having your paperwork together and being up to speed on initial verification and a bit of building regs. They aren't looking to catch you out, but if you feel afterwards that you should've known the answers without the book, then that's your lesson of the day. There are guys on here who have been doing this for a long, long time, there are people like me who played at it for years before taking it seriously and there are the newbies. Of all those people, I bet there's not one of them worth his salt that wouldn't agree that we still learn things everyday. And I think that's the difference between a spark and a great spark, one passed the exams/apprenticeship and one is still learning new things. Well done mate, and welcome to the colourful world of P.

 

[Guitarist]

Every day's a school day, never forget that. Well done