Guide To Electrical System Inspection & Testing
This is a guide to Electrical System Inspection & Testing, to assist you, The Company/Employer, in complying with your Health and Safety requirements with regard to ALL electrical systems/components in your workplace.
Legal Requirements
There are four main regulations which cover health and safety law:-
The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 puts the duty of care upon both the employer and the employee to ensure the safety of all persons using the work place.
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 state:
- "As may be necessary to prevent danger, all (electrical) systems shall be maintained so as to prevent, so far as reasonably practicable, such danger."
- "'System' means an electrical system in which all the electrical equipment is, or may be, electrically connected to a common source of electrical energy and includes such source and such equipment"
- "'Electrical Equipment' includes anything used, intended to be used or installed for use, to generate, provide, transmit, transform, rectify, convert, conduct, distribute, control, store, measure or use electrical energy."
This means that you must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, by maintenance, that the electrical distribution system, and everything connected to it, in your premises is safe and will not cause harm to you, your employees or visitors to your premises.
The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999 state:
"Every employer shall make suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to the health and safety of his employees to which they are exposed whilst at work"
and
“to ensure the health and safety of persons not in his employment arising out of or in connection with the conduct by him or his undertaking."
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 state:
- "Every employer shall ensure that work equipment is so constructed or adapted as to be suitable for which it is provided."
PUWER 1998 covers most risks that can result from using work equipment. With respect to risks from electricity, compliance with the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 is likely to achieve compliance with the PUWER 1998.
PUWER 1998 only applies to work equipment used by employees at work. This includes all work equipment connected to a source of electrical energy. PUWER does not apply to fixed installations in a building such as the building internal wiring. The electrical safety of which is dealt with by the Electricity at Work Regulations.
The Building Regulations 2000 (Part P) :
At present these only apply to domestic premises, they govern the way in which work is conducted and by whom on domestic properties. It is now in contravention of The Building Regulations to do the majority of work (with the exception of minor jobs) conducted by DIYers in the past.
Guidance:
There are two sets of guidance that cover all this maintenance (Inspection and Testing of the Whole electrical system):-
- The IEE Guidance Note 3 – Inspection & Testing
- The IEE ‘Code of Practice for In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment’
Who should carry out the Inspection & Testing?
The above documents state, those carrying out the inspection and testing must be competent to undertake the relevant inspections and, where appropriate, testing of electrical installations, equipment and appliances having due regard of their own safety and that of others.
The inspector/tester must have an understanding of the modes of electrical, mechanical or thermal damage to electrical installations, equipment and appliances and their flexes which may be encountered in any environment.
They must also be competent in identification of equipment/appliance types to determine the appropriate test procedures and be able to recommend the future frequency of inspection and testing. The person testing must be familiar with the test equipment used and in particular their limitations and restrictions so as to achieve repeatable results without damaging the electrical system through testing.
Electrical Distribution System Inspection & Testing
This involves the inspection & testing of all the fixed wiring in your premises from the incoming supply, the main distribution board/consumer unit through all distribution circuits to the consumer/appliance points.
This type of inspection & testing requires an in depth knowledge of electrical supply characteristics and distributions systems, using specialist equipment that can perform the tests on isolated and live circuits.
The inspection & testing is a very in depth and thorough process that ensures that the wiring is safe (or otherwise) for continued use until its next due Periodic Inspection. It will ensure compliance with BS7671 (IEE 16th Edition Wiring Regulations), and meet the employers legal requirements to maintain a safe electrical system.
Frequency of Inspection & Testing
The frequency of Periodic Inspection & Testing is determined taking into account:-
- The type of installation (permanent, temporary, domestic, industrial etc.)
- Its use and operation (open to public, educational etc.)
- The frequency and quality of maintenance
- The external influences to which it is subjected
Types of Inspection & Testing
In accordance with Guidance Note 3 there are 3 types of certificates issued for inspection and testing:-
- Initial Verification – this is the Inspection & Tests performed immediately after initial installation of the electrical system or new circuit.
- Periodic Inspection & Testing – This is the ongoing periodic maintenance of the electrical system. This will not necessarily involve a 100% inspection (often this would be impossible) but does require a complete set of test results, if possible.
- Minor Works certificate – This is the report that must be completed for minor alterations to existing circuits.
In addition to the Periodic Inspection, Guidance Note 3 states that ‘Electrical installations should not be left without any attention for the periods of years that are normally allowed between formal inspections. There must be arrangements made for initiating reports of wear and tear from users of the premises’. These are referred to as Routine Checks. Again the frequency is determined by the circumstances of the installation.
These Routine Checks should include:
- Defect reporting
- Basic inspections (breakage’s, overheating, missing or loose parts etc.)
- Operational testing (switch gear, emergency stops, RCD’s etc.)
These routine checks may be performed by somebody who is able to safely use the installation and recognise defects.
Record Keeping
Records of tests along with test results should be kept throughout the working life of the installation. Without such records duty holders cannot be certain that the inspection and testing has actually been carried out. If an unfortunate incident should occur then records of test results could prove that you had done all "as far as is reasonably practical" in preventing danger.
Records should include:
- Electrical Installation Certificate - for Initial Verification
- Periodic Inspection Report
- Minor Works Certificate
Records 1 & 2 will include Inspection & Testing Schedules.
Electrical Appliance Testing
Portable Appliance Tester (PAT) Testing has been developed as a convenient and complete method of testing electrical appliances to ensure that they are safe and, with the correct maintenance schedule and test results, ensures that you comply with your legal obligations.
PAT testing is often seen as a process of "going through the motions" for some companies and often many companies fail to have it carried out at all.
It is not uncommon to attend premises to find appliances in dangerous conditions. The risks to employees, employers and businesses is very real, not only from the risk of electrical shock but also the risk of fire caused by faulty appliances. How many times do you read in the newspaper that a life has been lost or a home or business has been destroyed and that the cause was an electrical fault?
PAT testing is an important part of any health & safety policy. Although there is no direct law at present stating that Electrical Appliance Testing must be carried out, you have a legal obligation under the regulations, stated above, to ensure that your electrical equipment is safe.
Types of Equipment
There is a misconception that PAT testing is only applicable to portable equipment, those that are plugged into an electrical supply, this is incorrect. PAT stands for Portable Appliance Tester (it is the test equipment which is portable); the IEE Code of Practice states that ALL items of equipment that consume electricity require inspection/testing. A lot of companies that offer PAT testing do not do this, they only test items connected to the electrical supply via a plug and socket.
The reason why PAT testing is carried out is to reduce the risk of danger from electrical shock and fire caused by faulty appliances.
After all you have the same risk of receiving an electrical shock from a piece of equipment that is static as you have from a piece of portable equipment.
The IEE Code of Practice gives guidance on the various equipment types. They then use this guide to suggest how often you should re-inspect equipment according to the type of business they are operating within.
Frequency of Testing
The Code of practice suggests testing frequencies based upon the type of equipment, the class of equipment and the location or type of business in which the equipment is used.
They have based their frequencies upon factors such as:
- Environment - If equipment is installed in an environment where it may suffer damage such as on a construction site then the frequencies of testing would be more often than in an office for example where equipment is not subjected to the elements.
- Users - If the users report damage as and when it becomes evident, hazards will be avoided. Conversely, if equipment is likely to receive unreported abuse, more frequent inspection and testing is required.
- Equipment construction - The safety of a Class 1 appliance is dependent upon a connection with earth of the electrical installation. If the flexible cable is damaged the connection with earth can be lost. Safety of Class 2 equipment is not dependent upon the fixed electrical installation as Class 2 equipment does not require an earth connection for the purpose of appliance safety.
- The equipment type - Appliances which are hand held are more likely to be damaged than fixed appliances. If they are Class 1 the risk of danger is increased, as the safety is dependent upon the continuity of the protective conductor (earth cable) from the plug to the appliance.
Types of Testing
In accordance with the IEE Code of practice there are three types of inspection/tests to be conducted:
- User Checks
- Formal Visual Inspections – competent person
- Combined Inspections and Testing – competent person
A competent person is someone with relevant training C&G 2377 and experience.
User Checks
These are the checks that any person competent to use a piece of equipment would do prior to use, a quick visual check for your own piece of mind.
Results from this would not be recorded unless a defect is found, then that should be reported to a responsible person who should take appropriate action to make the equipment safe.
Formal Visual Inspections
Formal visual inspections should only be carried out by persons competent to do so. The results of the inspection must be recorded.
The following must be considered when carrying out the inspection:
- Before inspecting equipment the users should be asked if they are aware of any faults and if the equipment works correctly.
- Suitability of the equipment for the use and environment
- The equipment should be assessed for its suitability for the environment or the nature of the work being undertaken. When the work environment is harsh or hazardous particular care needs to be taken when selecting the equipment and assessing the frequency of inspection and testing.
- A check should be made to ensure the equipment is installed and is being operated in accordance with the manufacturers instructions. Notwithstanding the manufacturers instructions, the following are examples of items which should be checked:
- Cables located so as to prevent damage occurring.
- Adequate ventilation and cooling and that ventilation points are not obstructed.
- Cups, plants and work material are placed correctly to prevent spillage
- Equipment so positioned as to avoid strain on the cables or cords.
- Equipment is being operated with the covers in place and any doors are closed
- No indiscriminate use of multi-way adaptors and trailing socket outlets.
- No unprotected cables run under carpets
- The means of isolation from the electricity supply must be readily accessible to the user, i.e. in normal circumstances it must be possible to reach the plug and socket without to much difficulty.
- The flexible cable
- The socket outlet (if known), or flex outlet
- The appliance - does it work and is it free from cracks or damage
- The plug:
- Check detachable power cords to Class 1 equipment incorporates an earth cable
- Check for signs of overheating
- Internal inspection; cord anchorage, wired correctly, connections are tight
- If non-rewirable plug; cord anchorage
- Correct size fuse is fitted with British Standard or ASTA markings
- Plug cover properly fitted
- Check the flexible cable connections and anchorage at the equipment, if practical
Combined Inspections and Testing
The electrical testing procedure should only ever take place after an appliance has successfully passed the formal visual inspection. It should only be carried out by persons competent to do so. The results of the inspection must be recorded.
The testing comprises of:
- Earth bond continuity tests
- Insulation resistance/touch current testing
- Functional and load checks
This requires specialist equipment; Portable Appliance Tester.
Record Keeping
Records of tests along with test results should be kept throughout the working life of an appliance. Without such records duty holders cannot be certain that the inspection and testing has actually been carried out. If an unfortunate incident should occur then records of test results could prove that you had done all "as far as is reasonably practical" in preventing danger.
Records should include:
- A register of all Equipment
- A record of formal visual inspections and tests
- A repair register
- A register of faulty equipment
Labelling
On successful completion of tests a label should be attached to the appliance indicating:
- Appliance Number
- Whether the unit has passed or failed
- Test Date
- Next test due date
- Testers identity
If you would like any further information or advise regarding appliance testing or equipment then please do not hesitate in contacting us.
|
