testing codes and queries

[dochisholm]

hi eveyone i have recently gone out on my own and have performed my first periodic inspection which i want to get get spot on i have come accross the following queries which i am strugling to solve. the con unit has a huge opening at the top which i would say doesnt meet ip ratings as i can get my hand in would others suggest a board change or some sort of cover strip installed. The cooker is fed from a single socket on the ring no accessible isolation above worktop what code would people put. Finalyy limitations i have done end of line on lighting circuits and checked 10% switches visualy would this need to be put in limitations or is that a given as it is stated in gn3. every socket has been checked for polarity and loop. There is no main earth conducter i believe the supply to be a tt system max zs allowed to be recorded as all circuits are protected by 30ma rcd would it be same for every circuit despite mcb size rating thank you

 

[tonys]

Scan up your report and test results then Ill try and help you.

 

[telectrix]

the hole on the board is a code 1.
is the cooker plug/socket accessible for isolation? if so, no code needed.or poss. a code4.
you should check all switches visually ( presence and connection of cpc) . R1+R2 measured at each light with switches on, lamps out.
every socket off, visual and R1+R2.
r1,r2,rN for end to end of ring finals
main earthing conductor missing, code1. ( how can you measure Zs and Ze?)
you can't "believe" it's TT, you have to find out what if anything it is and rectify it.

there's more, no doubt somebody else will add.

 

[prideofengland]

This guide may help:
http://www.select.org.uk/downloads/Periodic%20inspection%20reporting%20-%20recommendation%20codes%20for%20domestic%20and%20similar%20electrical%20installations.pdf
I would say that if the hole at the top is that big it would be a code 1. No accessable Isolation Code 2.
I always list % of fittings inspected in the limitations- believe this is good practice
I am more concerned at the absense of a final earth conductor, even a TT system has this if you cannot find it or the rod it may be relying on the water/gas bond for an earth - you need to be sure on this or list it as a code 1.

 

[IQ Electrical]

On a TT system you should still have an earthing conductor, it should be connected to an earth electrode.

The IP code is 4X for the top surface of a distribution board.

What is the rating of the cooker? Some are designed to plug into a 13A socket.

Guidance Note 3 does not SPECIFY inspection percentages so you must list yours in the 'agreed limitations' box.

Max Zs allowed would be 1667 Ohms on every circuit if 30mA rcd protected.

Remember your electrode resistance should be below 200 Ohms for stability.

You must have an above-average knowledge of BS7671:2008 to carry out Periodic Inspection Reports, get Guidance Note 3 too and feast on it!

 

[tonys]

You must have an above-average knowledge of BS7671:2008 to carry out Periodic Inspection Reports

Sadly that's lacking through out the industry.

 

[SirKit Breaker]

Just remember as well, that you are there just to test and inspect, not mend unless you have agreed this. Think of it as a bit like taking your car for the MOT, you pay, pass or fail. And then get charged for any work carried out, no matter how dangerous the car maybe they cant stop you driving it away, just like we cant turn off their electric.

You could ask about PIR codes till you are blue in the teeth, and you will get varying answers depending on how different people interpret the problem. Its down to you as the Testing electrician on the job to assess the condition and code as appropriate. This is where IQ Electrical's very good post kicks in, its all about knowing BS7671, and GN3. It will come with experience, keep plugging away, even with experience I probably don't always get it right.

Cheers........Howard

 

[dochisholm]

hi thanks everyone and i feel i do have a good grasp of gs3 which i have however i am far from able to recite it. Firstly the board would it be acceptable as the hole is manafacture moulded not just smashed to cover it with some sort of strip to increase the rating and save a board change as its not that old. The single socket on the ring is only accesible if the cooker is slid out i cannot see what code to apply to this a regs ref would be usefull if anyone knows. Telectrix in gs3 it states it is not possible to inspect every joint and termination in which case a sample inspection should be made is this incorrect as checking every switch and every socket would take an age on an inspection. It also states that a earth loop should be done at the end of radial circuits so i take that as not all is this the same for R1+R2 I know the missing earth conductoe missing is a code 1 the rod is present however whoever did the last board change didn't connect it to the board. I said believe as the old textile insulated cable goes into a non accesible singlepahse header and i couldnt accertain if it was an old pme or a tt. The cooker is designed to plug in however its the non accesible isolation which im unsure about. sorry this is a bit mixed tried to address each point as i read down

 

[i=p/u]

is periodic inspection forms for domestic in gn3 or brb??? just askin cause you lot are very helpful

 

[i=p/u]

someone give me codes for periodic inspection should be on this site somewhere, i saved in word, what a balls sorry

 

[telectrix]

cooker isolation i would give it a code 2. as for the sampling. OK i'll concede that point.

 

[i=p/u]

teletrix would you enlighten me

 

[SMB]

is periodic inspection forms for domestic in gn3 or brb??? just askin cause you lot are very helpful

Both BRB (appendix 6) and GN3 (chapter 5) mate.

And I don't think the PIR forms are just for domestic.

 

[IQ Electrical]

Both BRB (appendix 6) and GN3 (chapter 5) mate.

And I don't think the PIR forms are just for domestic.

The model forms in BS7671 2008 don't make any distinction between domestic and commercial however the scheme providers all have their own 'Domestic Periodic Inspection Report' form.

 

[i=p/u]

but you dont have to be in a scheme to do pir's, do you. tell me im wrong if you want ,il go ok, could you email me a copy or give me link to download