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Commercial EICR strategy?

Former Community Member
Former Community Member
Hi,


I've been tasked to do some EICR's on some commercial Car Showrooms. There's lots of old DB's, little or no circuit details and the previous EICR's stated that nothing could be tested due to not wanting circuits switched off. Personally I don't think it's worth even reporting if you aren't testing anything?


I wondered if anyone had a strategy for dealing with these situations. I'm not looking for anymore work so I'd rather not fail anything unless I absolutely have to. The customer wants as little interruption to the supply as possible.


A possible strategy:

Visual check

Identify circuits where possible

Take Zs readings where possible

Check db's for signs of thermal damage

Zsdb and ipf's

Check bonding

Check tightness of terminals in db's and sampled accessories

Report on what I've seen and tested with limitations on everything else.


It is going to be impossible to identify cpc's and neutrals associated with each circuit. IR testing would have to be very limited.


Below is a picture of what I am up against. There's a mix of old and new db's with many BS3871 MCB's.

f3685b9e83139223d5bf313572195363-huge-honda-mains-position.jpg


Any advice guy's?

  • 0
    There's very little, to no reason why you cant switch off - in an environment like a car show room, to do the testing; what happens in a normal power cut?


    The Server Rack should be UPS backed up. Sell them a UPS if not. Mondays in car show show rooms are normally very quite. 


    If you have to only do live testing (Which does happen in some environments) a very helpful addition to what you have described above is a mA Earth leak detection on the tails - this will give a good indication of possible IR deficiencies - especially any N-E faults (Lots of Amps earth leakage). Further Investigations may be then be the outcome to the EICR.


    Lots of long lead tests, Zs and Visuals is then your friend after that.
  • 0
    Apart from the concerns you and Tatty have raised there are the issues around H&S. Wandering around with a stepladder and an R2 lead in an area with public access and staff wandering around as well, never mind IR testing at 500V.


    If they cannot allow isolation both physical and electrical your process seems reasonable.
  • 0
    My experience of working in car main dealerships premises is that everything has been chopped about and messed with without any design considerations.


    So a faulty coffee vending machine will take out all the IT equipment closing the business down, because they cannot even answer the phone never mind do a MOT, service or repair a car and sales are impossible.


    The idea of doing inspections and testing in car dealerships is not appealing.
  • 0
    And beware alterations that have been done not by a suitably qualified electrician, but by someone "who knows vehicle electrics, it is all the same, init" 

    Warning signs include "Scotchlock" type connectors, and striped or odd coloured automotive wire.
  • 0
    This sort of thing
    Twin automotive wire
  • 0
    Sunday and evenings?

    I was trained by a chap who after leaving Southern Elec went off to do bank jobs. They were all weekend and evenings only.

    Legh
  • 0
    Any advice guy's?


    Walk, or if you do undertake this job allow many, many, days.


    Z.
  • 0
    You could ask them why they've requested an EICR and/or what they want out of it. The answer to that would influence the testing strategy and scope. To comply with their insurance company's requirements? Or they want an idea of whether they need a major rewire/upgrade? Or random things keep tripping and taking out lots of other stuff and its getting annoying? Or they're just H&S conscious?
  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member
    chap who after leaving Southern Elec went off to do bank jobs


    Did he ever get caught Legh?


    Regards


    BAD
  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member
    There's lots of old DB's, little or no circuit details and the previous EICR's stated that nothing could be tested due to not wanting circuits switched off.


    I'd walk if that's their respect for the responsibility you're taking on.


    Risk and reward...............


    I do also wonder why the previous guy isn't doing it.


    Two incoming meters?


    Regards


    BOD


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