Testing

[thomo27]

Good Evening

With reference to the 7 tests which are required before a circuit goes live , which of the 7 tests could be checked with a middle of the road standard multimeter?

I'm aware that the E.F.L.I can't be tested as it requires a low ohms tester , and Im also aware that a household Insulation resistance test requires 500V into the circuit so again im thinking I would need a Megger.

Pls feel free to correct me on any of the above

Many thanks

Stephen

 

[Spark123]

Continuity should be done with a low resistance ohm meter, Insulation Resistance using an IR tester (AKA Megger - whatever you do, don't call it this in an exam!!), Polarity dead with the low resistance ohm meter, pol live with a volt meter (you can use your multimeter for this), EFLI requires an EFLI tester, PFC with a PFC tester which usually incorporated into an EFLI tester, functional checks with whatever you need - RCDs with an RCD tester.

 

[Taylortwocities]

So to summarise Spark123's post.

You could use your multimeter to test polarity but you could use a doorbell and battery to do that.

Anything else needs specific and calibrated test equipment. the results go on your certificate.

 

[thomo27]

Thanks very much

Im comings towards the end of C & G 2330 level 2 and whilst waiting for assessment dates etc Ive been reading about testing procedures etc in between swatting up on steel cables trays, steel conduit etc , im not in a position to afford for example a Megger at this stage , can you recommend a low ohms tester to begin with ?

Thanks again

Stephen

 

[Spark123]

The one I use is built into my Megger IR tester, or more recently an MFT. You could take a look on ebay, I got a nice Megger RCD/EFLI tester from there for not a lot of money. The one I have resembles this one: clicky tho mine is a Megger BM403/2 (also if you read the listing there is a fault on the one for sale).

 

[thomo27]

Yeah I noticed the fault in the description, I will keep an eye out for a bargain.
thanks again

 

[thomo27]

Ive had a look at the prices for the all in 1 test equipment and at my current level of involvment in the practical side of things feel it would be best picking up individual test equipment at a lower price, therefore just to clarify on the points above Im now at the understanding that I would need the following test equipment :

insulation continuity tester -for continuity of cpc & circuit conductors & continuity of main equipotential bonding/supplementary bonding conductors, polarity dead tests

IR tester - for insulation resistance tests (the book I am currently reading instructs the IR tests to be carried with a Insulation continuity tester set to 500V . I guess this means I can purchase a tester that is capable of doing both tests ?

Earth loop tester - EFLI Zs, Ze,

RCD- RCD tests , functional tests

I just want to be sure before I start bidding away on junk on ebay.

Any popular brand recommendations would be helpful

Cheers

Ste

Thanks in advance

 

[ColJack]

in general, your standard IR tester will do low ohms continuity as well..

that's usually all you need for the dead tests. ( if you start to do more specialised stuff like TT supplies and so on you'll need things like earth eletrode testers, applied voltage insulation tester an so on. )

earth loop and rcd for the live tests..

the handy thing with seperates is that if you drop one off a ladder, then you only have to replace one which is usually cheaper..

the bad things are that they take up more space in the van / toolbox, are more cumbersome to lug about a large site and will cost more to calibrate

 

[Spark123]

I wouldn't bother too much about applied voltage tester or an earth electrode tester at the moment, the applied voltage tester would be used to check things like site applied insulation and the earth electrode tester is only really needed if you are installing the likes of a generator/transformer earth electrode.
An earth fault loop impedance tester can be used to check the Ze (Ra) of an RCD protected TT system.

 

[rjb]

I'm comings towards the end of C & G 2330 level 2 and whilst waiting for assessment dates etc Ive been reading about testing procedures etc

THOMO27

Alright mate! I can actually really help you. I am in exactly same position as you.

I have got the plans for a test board which you will need for level 3, 2382 & 2392. It is the one NICEIC et al use for there courses. Basically it a whole house on a sheet of 8ft MDF - even simulates cable drops (like 20m runs of T&E)

If you e-mail me. I will send you PDF of picture of it and components needed. Also I have a great thing that was written for a mate of mine of the idiots guide to testing which is better than any book I've read.

 

[Taylortwocities]

RJB, don't be shy, post the pic on here, we love pictures!

 

[ebee]

I'm comings towards the end of C & G 2330 level 2 and whilst waiting for assessment dates etc Ive been reading about testing procedures etc

THOMO27

Alright mate! I can actually really help you. I am in exactly same position as you.

I have got the plans for a test board which you will need for level 3, 2382 & 2392. It is the one NICEIC et al use for there courses. Basically it a whole house on a sheet of 8ft MDF - even simulates cable drops (like 20m runs of T&E)

If you e-mail me. I will send you PDF of picture of it and components


needed. Also I have a great thing that was written for a mate of mine of the idiots guide to testing which is better than any book I've read.

It would be nice if you can post this on say "Sparky Heaven" or somewhere if you allow folk to download it

 

[rjb]

No problem chaps. I cam do this.

But I will need to type it out from scratch as I have it as PDF and its quite long, but I will try to get round to it.

 

[dingbat]

I have got the plans for a test board which you will need for level 3, 2382 & 2392. It is the one NICEIC et al use for there courses. Basically it a whole house on a sheet of 8ft MDF - even simulates cable drops (like 20m runs of T&E)

You will learn more by building it than you will ever learn by using it to carry out tests... then, where will you put it, once it's usefulness runs out?

Save yourself a lot of money by testing your offcuts of cable and comparing the results with p.158 of the OSG. Or, even better, why not actually test the circuits in your house?

 

[thomo27]

Thanks RJB , I have emailed you for the details

Thankyou everyone for your advice on test equipment.

What do people make of Robin test equipment ?