*thumbs up* 

Hmm it may be that the 'competence' is not 100% at the level that is writing the job sheets and suggesting  rather thin level of testing....

In a truly unknown installation a more cautious approach is justified. If tuning it off to test is not going to be popular, it is surprising how fast  you can find off-earth faults with a wander lead back to the MET or to something else known to be well grounded - water pipes   etc. I think you need to assume the worst, and if the worst is true, ask a) will the test find it, and b)will the test lead to a dangerous state during the test...

Mike.

mapj1 said:

'competence' is not 100% at the level that is writing the job sheets and suggesting  rather thin level of testing....

Perhaps.

mapj1 said:

In a truly unknown installation a more cautious approach is justified. If tuning it off to test is not going to be popular, it is surprising how fast  you can find off-earth faults with a wander lead back to the MET or to something else known to be well grounded - water pipes   etc. I think you need to assume the worst, and if the worst is true, ask a) will the test find it, and b)will the test lead to a dangerous state during the test...

Agreed ... and pressing the test button on the RCD is also an effective test of the device's function, as indicated in the standards guidance document PD IEC/TR 62350 Guidance for the correct use of residual current-operated protective devices (RCDs) for household and similar use.

I appreciate your responses everyone.

To give a bit more information... This is a Cat A prison and the circuits are biometrics and security cameras. I am supervised by a more "experienced" member of staff who fails to warn anyone that electrical testing is taking place, or that they should disconnect the equipment. He "shows" me how to do the first test. I am obviously a bit shocked!

I've never conducted anything other than a full initial verification or periodic inspection. Never worked piecemeal like this. I agree an RCD test button is the best option in this situation but what would you suggest I do about the quite frankly rubbish orders from management and general ineptitude?

Thanks  

gkenyon said:

Chris Pearson said:

wo ways of looking at this:

(1) Do as you are told; or more formally, do what it says in the contract. I am not sure what "simple test" means - is that just pressing the test button?

Doing 'as you are told' when it's not safe is a potential breach of legislation.

Yes, but your employer will be vicariously liable.

From your initial post you were instructed to test the rcd at the rcd in the board. That is where it is supposed to be tested. The rest of the information you gave about earth cables falling out at the board etc have nothing to do with the rcd test at the board. If you feel it is not safe to carry out that test then don't do it and report to whoever needs to know why it wasn't done.

If they have never been tested you will probably find that some of them don't operate first time if you are using a tester rather than simply pressing the test button. The test button will probably free up sticky rcds but i would note the sticky ones on your paperwork and re-test in a couple of weeks or so to make sure its still free and doesn't have an underlying problem.

Gary

TrigPoint said:

This is a Cat A prison and the circuits are biometrics and security cameras.

I can understand the concern, but I doubt that the authorities would want to take the circuit offline without taking precautions.

Moreover, I doubt that it will take the cons long to work this one out.

Apparently tested the same way I tested them every 12 months.

Hmmm... the cons aren't really considered outstanding in the field of intelligence. I mean they got caught right?

Also yes... under the guidance of a newly qualified apprentice electrician and the ppm these circuits were disconnected via the rcd and tested. No precautions taken and no thought to the sensitive nature of the connected equipment. 

I don't really want to argue the toss but the original post still stands. What is even the point of testing the RCD when the whole system is in such an old and shabby state. It's not being tested correctly so the results really don't mean anything. (And I don't want to sign them off)

Push button test every 3 months