8.2.2 - Inspection
Before testing begins it is important that
a full inspection of the complete installation is carried
out with the supply disconnected. The word 'inspection'
has replaced 'visual inspection', indicating that all the
senses (touch, hearing and smell, as well as sight) must
be used. The main purpose of the inspection is to confirm
that the equipment and materials installed:
1. - are not obviously damaged or
defective so that safety is reduced
2. - have been correctly selected
and erected
3. - comply with the applicable
British Standard or the acceptable equivalent
4. - are suitable for the prevailing
environmental conditions
An inspection checklist is shown in Table
8.3. Some inspections are best carried out whilst the work
is in progress. A good example is the presence of fire barriers
within trunking or around conduit where they pass through
walls.
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Table 8.3 - Inspection check
list
|
|
1
|
Identification of conductors |
|
2
|
Mechanical protection
for cables, or routing in safe zones |
|
3
|
Connection of conductors |
|
4
|
Correct connection of
lampholders, socket outlets, etc. |
|
5
|
Connection of single-pole
switches in phase conductors only |
|
6
|
Checking of design calculations
to ensure that correct live and protective conductors
have been selected in terms of their current-carrying
capacity and volt drop |
|
7
|
Presence of fire barriers,
suitable seals and protection against fire |
|
8
|
Protection of live parts
by insulation to prevent direct contact |
|
9
|
Protection against indirect
contact by the use of:-
------a) - protective
conductors
------b)
- earthing conductors
------c)
- main and supplementary equipotential bonding
conductors |
|
10
|
Prevention of mutual
detrimental influence |
|
11
|
Electrical separation |
|
12
|
Undervoltage protective
devices |
|
13
|
Use of Class II equipment |
|
14
|
Labelling of fuses, circuit
breakers, switches and terminals |
|
15
|
The settings and ratings
of devices for protection against indirect contact and
against overcurrent |
|
16
|
The presence of diagrams,
instructions, notices, warnings, etc. |
|
17
|
Selection of protective
measures and equipment in the light of the external
influences involved |
|