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Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment in commercial facilities

kevinks

Hello everyone,

I have been looking at the relevant regulations and guidelines pertaining to the inspection and testing of electrical equipment, with a focus on the requirements for commercial installations in the UK. Based on my what I found, I have outlined below my current understanding of the applicable standards for various categories of electrical equipment and a few doubts as well:

  • BS 7671 Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR): This applies to all fixed electrical installations, which form part of the building’s infrastructure. A fixed installation would be distribution boards, socket outlets, switches, fixed wiring etc.
  • In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment (PAT) (no legal requirement for PAT, but I am guessing this is a standard practice based on risk assessment): This is required for all equipment, whether movable or fixed, that is connected to the fixed electrical installation. Typical examples include kettles, heaters, desktop fans, microwave ovens, and hand dryers. My understanding of this one is currently based on information gathered from forums, including this one and the HSE Guidelines, as I have not yet received the ISITEE book I have ordered.
  • BS EN 60204-1 (Safety of Machinery – Electrical Equipment of Machines): This is applicable for inspections for control and automation cabinets, electric motors, and other types of machinery that are supplied by fixed installations. For motors fed from an MCC, it is my understanding that the EICR covers the installation up to the point where the motor terminals are wired in, whereas the motor itself is subject to the manufacturer’s instructions (IET Discussion). Similarly, the EICR will cover the supply up to the point at which it enters a control or automation cabinet, while the control wiring and components within the cabinet fall under the scope of EN 60204-1. One area of uncertainty remains regarding the inspection and testing requirements for individual components located within control and automation cabinets, such as Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) and Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs). It is unclear whether these components must be tested individually, or if they are automatically covered by the testing of the panel as a whole, given that they are wired internally within the panel.

Additionally, I have not yet been able to determine the specific inspection and testing requirements applicable to server cabinets in a commercial setting. For example, in a server cabinet, I am assuming there will be PDUs and rack servers are connected to it via plugs into the PDU sockets. Is there a separate testing procedure? This article mentions about PAT testing all equipment in a server room. Is that really possible? Any help would be much appreciated. 

Thanks,
Kevin

Parents

  • Reg 4(2) of the EAWR 1989 is really a critical point for Duty Holders to consider. Of course its a risk assessment based on type and location of equipment and who the user is. So an item only ever used by an employee with suitable training would have a different risk from the exact same item that is used by a visitor or a member of the public, etc etc.

    From what I see and the in service inspection and testing 5th Ed COP really tries to highlight that risk assessment approach. 

    I know when I go to site or a premises my thought process is simply if its electrical then somebody has to inspect and test it so therefore to the Duty Holder question is Prove its safe?

    Common factor as I'm sure lots of people know is majority electrical contractors and electricians will carry out an EICR on the fixed wiring and that's it. They or another person carries out PAT* testing but only does equipment with a plug top on or if lucky from a FCU. IT and data storage equipment? questionable given impact on testing.

    Where it falls down is refrigeration plants, HVAC and say a large boiler house. Electrical contractor may do an EICR on the large power supply to the control panel for the boiler and that's that. All the cabling to motors, actuator's, pumps etc etc from that control panel never done as fingers point between people, so how can the duty holder ensure compliance with 4(2) if there is no written inspection regime, records of inspections and test results then how can the Duty Holder claim the electrical installation/equipment is safe?  

    point 9 in Reg 4(2) is quite clear "..Without effective monitoring duty holders cannot be certain that the requirement for maintenance has been complied with." and of course the EAWR does not have any voltage range, it covers any and all voltages. 

    Cheers GTB

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  • Reg 4(2) of the EAWR 1989 is really a critical point for Duty Holders to consider. Of course its a risk assessment based on type and location of equipment and who the user is. So an item only ever used by an employee with suitable training would have a different risk from the exact same item that is used by a visitor or a member of the public, etc etc.

    From what I see and the in service inspection and testing 5th Ed COP really tries to highlight that risk assessment approach. 

    I know when I go to site or a premises my thought process is simply if its electrical then somebody has to inspect and test it so therefore to the Duty Holder question is Prove its safe?

    Common factor as I'm sure lots of people know is majority electrical contractors and electricians will carry out an EICR on the fixed wiring and that's it. They or another person carries out PAT* testing but only does equipment with a plug top on or if lucky from a FCU. IT and data storage equipment? questionable given impact on testing.

    Where it falls down is refrigeration plants, HVAC and say a large boiler house. Electrical contractor may do an EICR on the large power supply to the control panel for the boiler and that's that. All the cabling to motors, actuator's, pumps etc etc from that control panel never done as fingers point between people, so how can the duty holder ensure compliance with 4(2) if there is no written inspection regime, records of inspections and test results then how can the Duty Holder claim the electrical installation/equipment is safe?  

    point 9 in Reg 4(2) is quite clear "..Without effective monitoring duty holders cannot be certain that the requirement for maintenance has been complied with." and of course the EAWR does not have any voltage range, it covers any and all voltages. 

    Cheers GTB

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