test and inspection sequence

[darking]

whoops sorry must change that to dafthing

 

[ElectriCol]

I stand to be corrected as to my understanding, but here's a little ditty I used to help me remember...

We start with the bonding and the CPC
With R1+R2 continuity
And then the '3-step' on the rings
Before IR tests other things

Polarity then gets the nod
Then EER if there's a rod
And talk of Earth, let's test the loop
Then PFC completes the group

Verse 3 means Phase Rotation check,
Then RCD should trip elec'
And function checks - like MCBs
Should cut supply to what they feed

OK, it's not Shakespear or Scaddon, but it helped me get through 2330 and 2391.
Note the 'start, 2, 3, 4 (fore)' in the first four lines to help even more to memorise.
And blue refers to dead tests (first 6 lines), red refers to live tests (last 6 lines).

I look forward to any suggestions as to how to improve/correct it if necessary :tounge_smile:

 

[SirKit Breaker]

An earlier post mentions that the testing sequence done in the correct order is only for Initial verification, which is correct. On a PIR or EICR as we now know it, you can test in any order that you wish, but by doing it as per Initial Verification makes things a bit easier to remember. My preferred method was after Inspection, do all live testing, and see if this threw any nasties up. I would start with a Ze, then check bonding continuity, before any live testing, if this was OK i would Zs all outlets on all circuits, and this would show up any serious faults. If this was all OK, then i would begin dead testing, continuity first, then IR, etc etc, then i would finish by rechecking Zs at any points that i had disturbed just for good measure. When retesting lighting with all the switchplates refitted i use a wander lead, and hold it on the switchplate screw head and other probes at pendant in a lightmate.

Cheers.........Howard

 

[old dog]

It certainly says that in GN3 but I think its a little misleading.

As the installation is already live then carrying out live tests before dead is no problem.
But when it comes to dead tests IR should always be after continuity tests, never before.

If there was a break in the CPC an insulation test will only test up to the break and test results will appear good.
So its important to do continuity tests first to ensure that when IR tests are done, that the entire length of the cable is being tested.

Well I said no fixed order. However common sense dictates some of the order

 

[ackbarthestar]

I do love those long posts....

So can anybody tell me why when conducting a PIR/EICR, for lets say a factory, I would have to conduct a R1+ R2 test for each sample when I have established both R2/MPB are satisfactory and by Zs testing each circuit I have established compliance with 41.1.?

Since I know that with PIRs it is more expedient not to make too many disconnections which may introduce new faults.