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Disconnecting conductors for testing

lyledunn

We have a contractor in the training centre at the moment. He is dressing conductors and re-terminating connections in several distribution boards on our testing rigs. Frequent dismantling has caused a birds nest of what was just a short while ago, neatly dressed boards. Loose connections, damaged conductors ends and mcb terminals. 
Not unexpected but it does indicate that there is disadvantage in too much disconnection and re-connection. Doing so a few times during the life on an installation might be ok but do we really need to? Sure, some test procedures do require dismantling but for certain procedures such as R1+R2 continuity tests might it not be reasonable to accept the technical constraints and simply leave conductors connected.

I note GN3 shows the cpc remaining in the earth bar but with the line disconnected. The test App promoted for candidates preparing for AM2 shows both line and cpc disconnected. The problem is that often these publications are treated as sacrosanct by those setting assessments. Deferring could be costly for a candidate. 

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    GN3 does say there is a risk associated with dismantling the installation (page 110/111), so in my view, as little dismantling as possible should be undertaken while testing.

    The only test that I think cannot be done without dismantling is the ring final circuit ened to ends/figure of eight, but they are not mandatory on EICRs (or is that only when there are previous test results?).

    I tend not to test any RFCs at the DB/CU, as the cables are usually packed in there - it is far easier to open up a socket and do the test there, far easier access, and less intrusion onto other circuits when pulling the wires around, as well as easier to see if the cables are secured correctly when refitting.

    R1+R2 are easily done at the DB, as well as insulation, but it does get complicated when RCDs cannot be tested at 500 volts, so dismatling may be required there for the individual IR tests, but on a EICR, doesnt everyone do a global IR test at 250V now?

  • 0 in reply to alanblaby
    alanblaby said:
    The only test that I think cannot be done without dismantling is the ring final circuit ened to ends/figure of eight, but they are not mandatory on EICRs (or is that only when there are previous test results?).

    I think that it is assumed that the EIC is valid, whether it is available or not.

    So, this is why I was interested to know whether folk would fully check a ring when doing a DB change.

    Naturally, if the ends are twisted together (not my practice) you might want to keep them as they are rather than risking snapping the ends off.

  • 0 in reply to Chris Pearson

    I had exactly this on the ring cpc's this week . Twisted together. It was that soft crap copper from the 80s as well. You can just feel the difference when you ease the socket or switch face forward.  I didn't untwist them. 

    Gary

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  • 0 in reply to Chris Pearson

    I had exactly this on the ring cpc's this week . Twisted together. It was that soft crap copper from the 80s as well. You can just feel the difference when you ease the socket or switch face forward.  I didn't untwist them. 

    Gary

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