fluke 1664fc tester

Do you issue a minor works certificate for something as basic as changing a light fitting or switch?


If so when doing something as basic as changing a light fitting or switch, do you dismantle the consumer unit for testing?


Doing a loop test at a light switch or fitting confirms polarity and the presence of an earth allowing you to fill two boxes in on the certificate, as well as confirming touch voltage will be acceptable and the circuit protective devices will operate.


If you do R2 or R1+R2 you may need to dismantle the consumer unit to test Zdb and test the resistance of the circuit protective conductor to get the required result.


I had a conversation about this in the office of the printers when I went to finalise my order for my new MWC pads, I asked them what they would say if I said I needed to shut the printing workshop down to access the main distribution board for testing just to change a light fitting in the office? They laughed at me.


I worked on a circuit supplying the servers at another firm, it took 45 minutes to shut the servers down to do the final connection of the new part of the installation and test it which was less than 5 minutes work, but the servers were actually off for the best part of an hour taking their website down costing them sales. Okay the delay was due to the servers updating once they were instructed to turn off, but that is the way things are now.


I think most installation electricians consider an earth loop test as the quick and easy minimal testing that should be done. So they want a tester that will just do it without any messing about.


I was told when I did the testing and inspection course nearly twenty years ago that with new work and alterations to an existing installation when it comes to the verification at the end of the work, the inspection is 97% of the verification and the testing should take less than 3% of the time, the testing is just confirming what you have already determined by inspection, so you shouldn’t get carried away with the testing and get over involved with it.


 Andy Betteridge 

Do you issue a minor works certificate for something as basic as changing a light fitting or switch?


If so when doing something as basic as changing a light fitting or switch, do you dismantle the consumer unit for testing?


Doing a loop test at a light switch or fitting confirms polarity and the presence of an earth allowing you to fill two boxes in on the certificate, as well as confirming touch voltage will be acceptable and the circuit protective devices will operate.


If you do R2 or R1+R2 you may need to dismantle the consumer unit to test Zdb and test the resistance of the circuit protective conductor to get the required result.


I had a conversation about this in the office of the printers when I went to finalise my order for my new MWC pads, I asked them what they would say if I said I needed to shut the printing workshop down to access the main distribution board for testing just to change a light fitting in the office? They laughed at me.


I worked on a circuit supplying the servers at another firm, it took 45 minutes to shut the servers down to do the final connection of the new part of the installation and test it which was less than 5 minutes work, but the servers were actually off for the best part of an hour taking their website down costing them sales. Okay the delay was due to the servers updating once they were instructed to turn off, but that is the way things are now.


I think most installation electricians consider an earth loop test as the quick and easy minimal testing that should be done. So they want a tester that will just do it without any messing about.


I was told when I did the testing and inspection course nearly twenty years ago that with new work and alterations to an existing installation when it comes to the verification at the end of the work, the inspection is 97% of the verification and the testing should take less than 3% of the time, the testing is just confirming what you have already determined by inspection, so you shouldn’t get carried away with the testing and get over involved with it.


 Andy Betteridge