Test Rig IR Test Correct Proceedure

[newtotest]

Hi Guys. So I have a test coming up and wanted to get a bit of advise regarding the best way to test so I don't fail.

On the rig there is a shower unit connected to a Pull cord isolator with neon. So to test it I guess I am going to have to 1. open the shower and remove the live 2. turn on the isolator 3. open the isolator and disconnect the neon. My question is do I have to put the cover back on the shower and close up the isolator before testing? This also applies to the emergency light and the florescent that is on it. Do i just remove the lives from them and test or must I close them back up before testing?

Thanks for any help.

 

[KEV 1 N]

IMO I'd say no, as you are not powering anything up ad IR testing is a dead test, also you will have the cover removed from the DB in order to carry out the testing.

 

[PEG]

I suppose the most important thing to know,is what are you being asked to test?

 

[Richard Burns]

For the shower it is common to bypass the isolator by connecting ingoing and outgoing line cores together and the same with neutral so that you can test the entire cable in one test. (as with dimmer switches and other sensitive equipment).
Although separate testing of incoming supply cable disconnected from the isolator and outgoing load cable disconnected from the isolator is also acceptable.

IR testing of a circuit applies a high voltage to the cores of the cables and this can cause an adverse reaction to anyone touching the exposed cable. When IR testing it should be ensured that the test does not expose anyone to danger.
In the test rig scenario you are in control of the entire testing area from board to accessory and can ensure that there is no danger to others, therefore it should not be necessary to enclose the exposed conductors during the test.

 

[PEG]

The above is right and proper,but your shower may have a neon,also,to indicate supply,in which case further disconnection would be required,to test all fixed wiring.
To test fully,between all relevant conductors and any other included paths,dissection and connection,may be needed.
Less complete processes are available,to the tester,but you may also be required to know and explain these.

 

[newtotest]

Thanks guys that is great help. I am probably over thinking everything just now and making it in to more of an issue than it is.

That said I am really struggling with the section 7 of the Napit Installation Cert.
The reason is because the demo forms I have filled in during the course and examples elsewhere all seem to contradict eachother and it appear many people can't agree either.

In my situation I am going to have a main 3 phase incomer with meter and tails to a rotary isolator. This feeds a 3 phase board (DB1) with triple pole isolator main switch. From here a single phase feed is taken to DB2 via a 63Amp 60898 MCB.

My questions are if assuming I am installing circuits on DB2 are:

1 - in section 7 am I to refer to the 3 phase origin of the supply or the supply circuit to DB2. In the course I was told that the Box titled Nominal Voltage U/Uo would be 230V? That said they then said that the box Supply Protective Device would be 1361 T2 or the main fuses not the 60898 is that right?

2 - PFC and Ze in section 7 I assume would have to be taken at the 3 Phase board and recorded here.

3 - Section 8 of the same form refers to:
Main Switch / Switch Fuse / Circuit Breaker / RCD, The forms we went through had us detail this as the Main Switch of the 3 Phase Board i.e. the 60947-3 - 3 Pole - 125Amp Voltage Rating of 400V Does that sound right?

I thought I had all this right in my mind but since trying to revise and see other examples and read up it has become a complete jumble.

Any help appreciated again.

 

[Richard Burns]

This is how I understand it

 

[KEV 1 N]

Just remember if part of the testing involves locking off isolators, put the key in your pocket! Not anywhere else!