CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

In most if not all operations carried out either in a factory or in an office, electricity is
needed. From small jobs like using an air conditioner(AC) in an office to big jobs like operating
machines in a factory, the necessity of electricity is a vital part of every functioning structure.
For any structure to have electricity there must first be an installation. As such a definition of
installation is expedient

ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION:

An electrical installation is a combination of electrical equipment installed from a common

electrical supply to fulfill a particular purpose and having coordinated characteristics. It consists
of fixed appliances, wires, fittings, meters, apparatus or other electrical equipment used for(or
purpose incidental to )the conveyance, measuring, control and use of electricity in a particular
place. The chain of power transmission will never be complete without the installation of
electrical equipments to distribute the lowest amount of generated power to the various
appliances on a building. We have some types of electrical installation which include:

(i)Car installations: Automobiles have various electrical features throughout the vehicle that
require installation of which some include: satellite navigation systems, sound systems, car
alarms e.t.c

(ii)RESIDENTIAL INSTALLATIONS: Houses require electrical installations to carry out some

fundamental functions round the house such as wiring and connection of electrical wires to the
power lines to receive electricity. Others include circuit breakers, wall outlets and major
appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines e.t.c

(iii)Power line installations: These need a professional electrician to assure that a particular area
receives electricity from the generating plants. These high voltage power lines connect to the
national grid and supply millions with electricity. However, some power lines are low voltages
and assure that streetlights and traffic lights receive electricity to function correctly.

(iv)Commercial installations: Although similar to residential installations, commercial

installations usually concentrate on larger projects such as business corporations, factories and
production plants. This type of connection spans throughout the whole building.

INSPECTIONAND TESTING OF ELETRICAL INSTALLATION:

All electrical installations deteriorate with age and use.They should therefore be inspected and
tested at regular intervals to check whether they are in a satisfactory condition for continued use.
Such safety checks are referred to as periodic inspection and testing. Once completed, an
Electrical Condition Report(EICR) will be issued.

BENEFITS OF CARRYING OUT A PERIODIC TESTING ANFD INSPECTION

Periodic inspection and testing is of great importance because all electrical installations
deteriorate due to a number of factors such as damage, wear and tear, corrosion, excessive
electrical loading, ageing and environmental influences. Electricity is an invisible danger that can
cause shocks, burns or even lead to the death of people as well as severe damage to properties,
fires and explosions

A periodic inspection will:

(i)Reveal if any of the electrical circuits or equipments are overloaded

Find any potential electric shock risks and fire hazards.

Identify any defective electrical work

Highlight any lack of earthing or bonding.

Ensure that people are protected from electric shock, properties protected from damages caused
by electric fire and heat rising from a defect.

Tests are also carried out on wiring and fixed electrical equipments to ensure that they are safe.
A schedule of circuits is also provided which is invaluable for a property

HOW OFTEN IS A PERIODIC INSPECTION REQUIRED?

All electrical installations should bee inspected and tested every:

10 years for an owner occupied home.

5 years for a rented home.

3 years for a caravan

1 year for a swimming pool.

Other times when a periodic inspection should be carried out are:

When a property is being prepared for letting

Before selling a property or buying a previously-occupied property

The inspection takes into account all relevant circumstances and checks on:

(i)The adequacy of earthing and bonding

(2)The suitability of the switch gear and control gear .For example, an old fuse-box with a
wooden back, cast-iron switches or a mixture of both will need replacing.

(3)The serviceability of switches , sockets and lighting fittings. Items that may need replacing
include: older round pin sockets, round light switches, cables with fabric coating hanging from
ceiling roses to light fittings, black switches and sockets mounted in skirting boards.

(4)The type of wiring system and its condition . For example, cables coated in black rubber were
phased out in the 1960s. Likewise cables coated in lead or fabric are even older and may well
need replacing (modern cables use longer–lasting polyvinylchloride(PVC) insulation)

(5)Sockets that may be used to supply portable electrical equipment for outdoor use, making sure
they are protected by a suitable residual current device (RCD)

(6)The extent of wear and tear , damage or any other deterioration.

(7)Any changes in the use of the premises that have led to, or may lead to unsafe conditions.

ELECTRICAL SAFETY TESTING

Electrical safety testing is essential to ensure the safe operating standards for any product that
uses electricity. Various agencies have developed stringent requirements for electrical products
sold worldwide. Most markets have made it compulsory for a product to conform to safety
standards as set by safety and standard agencies such as UL, CE, VDE, CSA, e.t.c. Some of the
safety tests which the products must pass include:

High Voltage Test (Dielectric Voltage-withstand Test): This test is carried out by applying a
significantly higher voltage to the device under test. In this test, the insulation of a product
stressed to a greater extent than under normal operating conditions, should not be breached for
the product to pass. In most cases, the device is stressed twice its normal operating voltage. For
all electrical products, the high voltage test is a universal test meaning that every unit should pass
before it is used.

Insulation Resistance Test: This test is to measure the total resistance of a products insulation by
applying a voltage of 500V-1000V for low voltage systems. The minimum value of resistance
for a product to pass the insulation resistance test is 1megaohm. The insulation resistance test is
not a substitute for the high voltage test. Many standard and safety agencies have specified this is
a universal test for all products. This test can also be carried put after every maintenance
procedure or repair.

Earth Continuity Test: This test is used to measure the resistance between the ground and the
outside metal body of the product under test. The maximum acceptable value is generally
0.5ohms although certain standards may specify 0.1ohms. This test is generally carried out at a
slightly higher current (e.g. 25-60 A) so that the ground bond circuit maintains safe voltages on
the chassis of the product, even at a higher current, before the circuit breaker trips. This test is
essential so that the product does not cause an electric shock resulting from insulation failure.

Leakage Current Test(Line Leakage Test): This test is to measure the undesirable leakage current
that flows through or across the surface of insulation or the dielectric of the capacitor.This test is
generally carried out at 100%-110% of the rated input voltage of the product under test.The
maximum acceptable limit of a leakage current is generally 210 microamperes. At first, this test
was mandatory for medical services only.

Visual Inspection Test: This is where the electrician will survey the electrical installation before
he/she commences with the electrical testing. The visual inspection will highlight broken or
cracked devices, where devices may have been installed in the wrong location, or if there have
been overloading or over heating problems.

Electrical testing with the use of electrical test meters include:

DEAD TESTING:

Continuity Testing: A test to check if there are any badly connected conductors(wires)

Insulation Resistance Testing: This test is to make sure that the electrical insulation material
surrounding the conductor is intact.

Polarity: This test is used to check the connections are in the right sequence

Earth Arrangement Testing: This check is to make sure that the earth arrangement complies with
the regulations and that all connections are sound.

LIVE TESTING:

Earth Fault Loop Impedance Testing: This test is to check that if a fault did occur, that the
system meets the requirements to cause a disconnection of the supply within the time limit
specified.

RCD Testing: On modern electrical systems RCD’s and RCBO’s are fitted regularly, these
devices react t electricity missing frim the circuit or installation such as when a person is
receiving an electric shockas the electricity passes through his body to the ground(earth).

The competent person will then issue an Electrical Installation Condition Report(EICR) detailing
any observed damage, deterioration, defects, dangerous conditions and any non-compliances
with the present-day safety standard that might give rise to danger. If anything dangerous or
potentially dangerous is found,the overall condition of the electrical installation will be declared
‘unsatisfactory’, meaning that remedial action is required without delay to remove the risks to
those in the premise.