NICEIC Certification Scheme Safe Isolation for NICEIC assessment (and PFC question)

[kels bels]

Mine is tomorrow...... and I think I'm just about ready! :ninja:

Just wanted to see what you guys thought about safe isolation, and whether or not I should be pulling the main fuse before taking off the CU cover to do dead tests. Will the NICEIC assessor be happy with me just turning off the main switch?

PFC tests - can anyone confirm if the main switch stays in the off position and the CB's in the off position when I'm taking PEFC and PSSC readings. Then I put the cover back on before turning the main switch ON for the rest of the tests..... ?? Or should I be turning the main switch on for my PSSC readings?

(you can probably all tell i'm getting slightly nervous now with all the questions!!!)

 

[sparkydude]

I would have said pulling the main fuse in front of the inspector would be classed as an instant fail , what with it being illegal to tamper with electricity boards property.

Maybe you need some insulating gauntlets , at least then he could see you were trying your best to comply with the regs as in not working live.

Nick

 

[mogga]

Pulling of main fuse should only be done by persons qualified and autherised to do so by the DNO( its says specificaly in BGB ) he should be happy with main switch being turned off Altho iv not done EICNIC assesment the BGB is what id quote if he asks you to pull main fuse ( might be good to quote reg number )

 

[D Skelton]

My argument would be that the regs aren't statutory however the EAWR's are. That's why I will always pull the fuse and would happily explain that to any assessor. That said, there's no need to pull the main fuse in these circumstances, to safely isolate, turn main switch off before removing cover and then test for live on incoming side of main switch, test for dead on isolated side of main switch and then test for live again on the incoming side. At no point should the CU be live with its cover off. PEFC and PSSC can be done with the main switch off, just on the incoming side

 

[telectrix]

agree. ^^^^^.except for pulling fuse. this should only be pulled if you are working on the tails. never pull a DNO fuse when somebody's looking . PFC should be measured with main switch OFF and all earths and bonding connected. don't forget that your Ze is measured with the main earthing conductor dissed. and main switch OFF.

 

[D Skelton]

agree. ^^^^^.except for pulling fuse.

That's why I said that in these circumstances, he wouldn't need too.

Sorry, my bad, I probably made my post sound a bit vague. When I say "That's why I will always pull the fuse", what I actually mean is, as Tel says, "I will always pull it when neccessary". I can see how my original post makes it sound like I'm some lunatic that goes round pulling fuses for s**ts and giggles

 

[Guest112]

safe isolation:
Permission
Remove loads (turn off breakers)
turn off main switch
Lock off
prove testers
test between L-N, L-E, N-E ot ten tests if three phase
Prove testers
When isolated you will do your Ze and PFC
So remove earthing conductor and test ze or 3 tests if three phase record highest.
REPLACE EARTHING CONDUCTOR IMMIEDIATELY
Test PFC by doing PEFC test and PSCC (6 tests if three phase and double highest reading, if single phase highest of two)

You should only have the cover off a board when the board itself is isolated and locked off and this is acceptable no you DONT pull fuses in an assessment if there was a supplied isolator you could knock and lock that off if not the main switch at the db is acceptable,

 

[kels bels]

You have all been verrry verry helpful !!! Thank you.

One final question (I promise!!!) - when measuring Zs on lighting circuits should it be with the switch closed and testing on the switch line, or with the switch open and testing on the loop? Grazias fellas! This damsel in distress is highly grateful for all your help!!

 

[Guest112]

i suppose by testing the switch line your proving the line continuity going to the fitting down to the switch and back up to the fitting. I know the method you mentioned is actually the test method for R1+R2 dead testing i havent got my gn3 on me atm but i cant see a reason why not aslong as its the furthest point on the circuit and your highest reading obtained for that circuit is recorded.

What i would do seeing as your on your steps anyway is turn the switch on first and test the loop feed and the switched feed and record the highest

 

[brucelee]

for Zs on a lighting circuit mate you can calculate from Zs = Ze + (R1 + R2) as its safer than being up the steps to carry out a live test
Only need to measure Zs at socket outlets all the rest can be calculated from the above method and this is prob were he will ask you to carry out a measured Zs on sockets only