Safe Isolation

[Nicktric]

I'm going for registration and getting ready for the assessment, sorry to run this probably blatantly obvious procedure past you but when I'm asked to dead test a circuit, after isolating, removal of the CU cover and do the 3 point, if the property is empty do I need to lock off and add an electrician at work sign? I don't normally in an empty house, but don't want to fall at the first and not sure what they will expect. Thanks for the advice

 

[IQ Electrical]

I'm going for registration and getting ready for the assessment, sorry to run this probably blatantly obvious procedure past you but when I'm asked to dead test a circuit, after isolating, removal of the CU cover and do the 3 point, if the property is empty do I need to lock off and add an electrician at work sign? I don't normally in an empty house, but don't want to fall at the first and not sure what they will expect. Thanks for the advice

It's easier to do it?

 

[Paul.M]

I don't know if the rule is flexible like that. Although your in a vacant house by yourself I still would lock off and hang a notice. Just in case the home owner came home unexpectedly with you in the loft and she turns the power on to make a cup of tea.

 

[IQ Electrical]

I don't know if the rule is flexible like that. Although your in a vacant house by yourself I still would lock off and hang a notice. Just in case the home owner came home unexpectedly with you in the loft and she turns the power on to make a cup of tea.

Exactly, you are demonstrating your procedure.

The chances are if you say 'I normally lock off and hang a sign at this point' he'll be happy that you were at least aware of the requirement.

 

[ringer]

Do it right EVERY TIME. It is both good practice and common sense.

 

[Geordie Spark]

Do it right EVERY TIME. It is both good practice and common sense.

I agree.

It's a good habit to get into.

It will also show the inspector gadgee that you have all the necessary kit to do the job too.

 

[eckersecker]

When my company send me to an industrial job there are padlocks for locking off isolators. When we do domestic work I've never seen let alone used a lock off device. Which is the best to use for say locking off a mcb in a Wylex board or locking off the main switch on a Wylex board?

 

[malcolmsanford]

I always used the CEF complete kit, but in the last year or so I got this and I think they are great for MCB and Switches. I'm the same as eckersecker I only ever really locked off on commercial/industrial, I don't think I can remember a time I locked off in a domestic situation, poor practice I know.

 

[Nicktric]

Thanks for the advice, right every time, can't go wrong approach must be the way and like Geordie says, shows you've got the kit to do it.
Watch this space for more pre assessment jitters..!

 

[roukel01]

Good luck with the assesment. Who are you going with? on my first assesment I took my inspector to a full rewire. "Lets have a look inside the board" he said, "OK, do you want me to demonstrate safe isolation?" I enquired "Nah, pull the fuse, that will do" was my reply.

 

[Nicktric]

Cheers Roukel01, I hope mine is as chilled as yours, I have decided to go with Elecsa, one reason was that they are happy to see one major and only ask for two in case we can't gain access to the first which I can guarantee. Also thanks malcolmsanford, I find with my lock off devices they are not very secure and could be pulled off (cam type), but I suppose that is not the point, the point being it is a visual barrier to switching on and shouldn't be tampered with as any of them could be broken with the right amount of aggression!

 

[malcolmsanford]

Just remember that unless you are really dangerous the assesor is there to PASS you not FAIL you as you are going to be a source of income for the scheme. I always found this settled any nerves of guys asking me what is the best way to deal with a 1st assement.

 

[roukel01]

I'm sure things will be fine! Just be clued up on regs etc and everything will go well. Most of the inspectors are ordinary Sparks too, so they understand reality, and they soon get an impression as to whether the person they are assesing knows what they are doing or not!

 

[telectrix]

usually, on a domestic, i pull the circuit out of the MCB for safe isolation.

 

[Nicktric]

Cheers my only concern is getting flustered when he asks me a max Zs for a circuit for example and getting page numbers for tables mixed up although I am planning to learn all the main figures like Ze Zs RCD for common circuits.
If he asks me what an acceptable r2 result is, is 1.67 x phase or neutral loop of that circuit acceptable?This is only for r2 isn't it? And if he asks what I would expect an r1 r2 to be for a given circuit should I be referring to resistance/meter tables in the OSG?
On that note if a wander lead option is available isn't it ideal to get an r2 as it is a quicker check and more accurate if you have already checked phase and neutral continuity than guessing length of cable run and applying to tables? Am I missing something here like a formula to equate r1 +r2 to r1 and rn I know if I have Zs and Ze I can find the Max R1 + R2 but that won't show me the figures I should expect r1&r2 relative to my r1 and rn. You see, pre assessment jitters already!