About ten minutes ago, I got an e-mail notification from the IET Shop that 'The Big Orange Book' has been dispatched and is on its way to me . . . 
About ten minutes ago, I got an e-mail notification from the IET Shop that 'The Big Orange Book' has been dispatched and is on its way to me . . .
Happy to see an example of an undetermined result on an EICR, but as you say it will probably need an update to the software and the guidance.
Bearing in mind that the guidance will be issued along with the report. An assiduous recipient of it will no doubt question why the guidance wasn't being followed in their case.
Firstly as I have already stated the objective of the periodic inspection and test is set out is set out 651.1 of BS 7671. That is to determine ,so far a reasonably practicable, whether the installation is in a satisfactory condition for continued service. The regulation contains the magic word "shall" so it is specific requirement not an option for the inspector to do something else. This statement should be written in to section B of the EICR. I will call this the "objective" from now on.
A periodic inspection and test majors on inspection, not testing. Testing is an ancillary exercise to inspection and Chapter 65 unlike Chapter 64 does not specify any particular tests or a sequence in which any test is to be undertaken. 651.2 says "Periodic inspection shall (there is that magic word again) be carried out without dismantling, or partial dismantling, as required supplemented by appropriate tests an measurement from Chapter 64 ,to provide for..... So can you as the inspector meet the objective without dismantling or partial dismantling or do you need to do that to determine the objective or, do you need to state an FI to reach a definite conclusion of "satisfactory".
FIs should be a rare event to find on a domestic periodic inspection and test. An example I have found is where the DNO has withdrawn the supply as an enforcement action due to usually theft of electricity, a fire in the premises or a reported to them a dangerous installation. They will remove the cut out fuse and reseal the fuse carrier. They will not restore the supply without being given an EICR with dead testing results. The inspector cannot do the essential live tests such as Ze, Zs and RCD testing results, so FI codes are appropriate as the inspector cannot meet the requirements of the objective.
Large commercial and industrial installations are not scaled up domestic installations with an 8 way Wylex consumer unit in the cupboard under the stairs which is why the pointed heads at the IET have said on the model inspection form "for residential and similar premises up to 100A". I am involved with a 9 month inspection and test project on an installation with 900 distribution boards supplied from a 11kV private transformer ring with very strict complications imposed by the client, definitely not a similar up to 100A installation.
The sort of items that may be found warranting an FI are:
Needing to get permission from the client to isolate the supply from a transformer to a Form 4 panel to see if the means of earthing is connected inside the panel. Difficult to get permission in premises like hospitals and data centres.
Finding an obsolete MCCB made by a manufacturer that has gone out of business. I have a lever arch file of ancient data sheets, a folder on my computer of PDFs and Amtech protect where I can plot time current curves and calculate maximum Zs. If you want information on an obsolete device email me and I will try to help.
When you cannot isolate a DB substituting an IR test for an earth leakage test and getting a suspicious reading. Is this a low IR or connected equipmnent?
I will try and think of some more. As I said before Appendix is informative, its your report, your signature and you are accountable. As I tell my students say what you have done, say what you haven't done and be prepared to justify your decisions.
Hope this helps?
I have updated my standard specification for a domestic inspection and test with the changes in AMD 4. You can get a free copy by emailing me on info(the symbol for at)astutetechnicalservices.co.uk
JP
Firstly as I have already stated the objective of the periodic inspection and test is set out is set out 651.1 of BS 7671. That is to determine ,so far a reasonably practicable, whether the installation is in a satisfactory condition for continued service. The regulation contains the magic word "shall" so it is specific requirement not an option for the inspector to do something else. This statement should be written in to section B of the EICR. I will call this the "objective" from now on.
A periodic inspection and test majors on inspection, not testing. Testing is an ancillary exercise to inspection and Chapter 65 unlike Chapter 64 does not specify any particular tests or a sequence in which any test is to be undertaken. 651.2 says "Periodic inspection shall (there is that magic word again) be carried out without dismantling, or partial dismantling, as required supplemented by appropriate tests an measurement from Chapter 64 ,to provide for..... So can you as the inspector meet the objective without dismantling or partial dismantling or do you need to do that to determine the objective or, do you need to state an FI to reach a definite conclusion of "satisfactory".
FIs should be a rare event to find on a domestic periodic inspection and test. An example I have found is where the DNO has withdrawn the supply as an enforcement action due to usually theft of electricity, a fire in the premises or a reported to them a dangerous installation. They will remove the cut out fuse and reseal the fuse carrier. They will not restore the supply without being given an EICR with dead testing results. The inspector cannot do the essential live tests such as Ze, Zs and RCD testing results, so FI codes are appropriate as the inspector cannot meet the requirements of the objective.
Large commercial and industrial installations are not scaled up domestic installations with an 8 way Wylex consumer unit in the cupboard under the stairs which is why the pointed heads at the IET have said on the model inspection form "for residential and similar premises up to 100A". I am involved with a 9 month inspection and test project on an installation with 900 distribution boards supplied from a 11kV private transformer ring with very strict complications imposed by the client, definitely not a similar up to 100A installation.
The sort of items that may be found warranting an FI are:
Needing to get permission from the client to isolate the supply from a transformer to a Form 4 panel to see if the means of earthing is connected inside the panel. Difficult to get permission in premises like hospitals and data centres.
Finding an obsolete MCCB made by a manufacturer that has gone out of business. I have a lever arch file of ancient data sheets, a folder on my computer of PDFs and Amtech protect where I can plot time current curves and calculate maximum Zs. If you want information on an obsolete device email me and I will try to help.
When you cannot isolate a DB substituting an IR test for an earth leakage test and getting a suspicious reading. Is this a low IR or connected equipmnent?
I will try and think of some more. As I said before Appendix is informative, its your report, your signature and you are accountable. As I tell my students say what you have done, say what you haven't done and be prepared to justify your decisions.
Hope this helps?
I have updated my standard specification for a domestic inspection and test with the changes in AMD 4. You can get a free copy by emailing me on info(the symbol for at)astutetechnicalservices.co.uk
JP
FIs should be a rare event to find on a domestic periodic inspection and test. An example I have found is where the DNO has withdrawn the supply
The inspector cannot do the essential live tests
John, thank you, that makes good sense. I see why, "undetermined" would be a better choice of words.
However, could you not state the inability to perform live tests as a limitation in Section D, and the recommendation to re-test on re-energisation in Section F?
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