Periodic inspection - money well spent

[Marvy]

I haven't posted in these forums for quite a while, but wanted to log back in and give a quick update on the home electrics.

Some forum members recommended to get a Periodic Inspection Report, which I had just before Christmas. For £100 (about 4 hours' work), we had all the circuits and breakers tested - quite a detailed test on the circuits.

Having previously added some spurs to the ring and lighting circuits, it was nice to have a professional visit and give the electrics a clean bill of health - hopefully that's it for the next 10 years now!

Thanks for the advice.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

That will be it until the first time you do any more alterations if you don't have the wherewithal to test your work....

 

[Risteard]

That will be it until the first time you do any more alterations

...Excepting natural deterioration of the installation; accidental damage to the installation, etc.

That is why it is inspected periodically!

 

[stillp]

all the circuits and breakers tested

That sounds very good. How did he test the MCBs?

 

[Marvy]

No idea. Is that a trick question?

 

[JohnW2]

all the circuits and breakers tested

That sounds very good. How did he test the MCBs?

Sort of - stillp is having a little dig at your "all breakers tested" statement. At least within the domestic environment, is not possible to test MCBs, so one just has to hope and pray that they continue to work as stated 'on the tin'. On the other hand, RCDs can be tested in the home.

Kind Regards, John

 

[stillp]

Not having a dig, just wondering if he told you he had tested the MCBs, since if he did, he is not to be believed.

 

[Gerrydelasel]

At least within the domestic environment, is not possible to test MCBs,

Can't you just load the circuit with 'a bit more' than the rated MCB current? (briefly of course)

 

[Risteard]

At least within the domestic environment, is not possible to test MCBs,

Can't you just load the circuit with 'a bit more' than the rated MCB current? (briefly of course)

It would take a lot more than "a bit more" to be within the realms of instantaneous operation. (For a B type 3 - 5 times the rated current; for a C type 5 - 10 times and for a D type 10 - 20 times).

The equipment necessary would also be hugely expensive.

 

[Gerrydelasel]

Ah

 

[JohnW2]

It would take a lot more than "a bit more" to be within the realms of instantaneous operation. (For a B type 3 - 5 times the rated current; for a C type 5 - 10 times and for a D type 10 - 20 times).

Indeed - and, of course, one would potentially have to test at the upper current of those ranges, since, for example, a Type B MCB is not required to trip (magnetically) at less that 5 times the rated current - so 160A for a B32 or 225A for a B45.

Kind Regards, John

 

[Taylortwocities]

We would all need one of Photonicinduction's special power supplies in the van!

 

[ban-all-sheds]

In the van you already have a power source more than capable of delivering enough current to trip any domestic MCB.

 

[JohnW2]

In the van you already have a power source more than capable of delivering enough current to trip any domestic MCB.

An AC power source? I'm not sure that testing an MCB with DC would be valid (or desirable - it might get magnetised!), would it?

Kind Regards, John

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Dunno, but I imagine you can get injectors that work off a battery.

I can't think why you'd need 100's of A at 230V rather than 12V to test an MCB.