Generally, an RCD either works or it doesn’t and, in essence, the test is to prove that the RCD is functional and is not intended to confirm that it still performs as per the relevant product standards and manufacturers requirements. RCD testing required by product standards is carried out by the manufacturer and is called type testing. For a circuit with a nominal voltage up to and including 500 V, with the exception of SELV and PELV systems, it requires a test voltage of 500 V DC. Table 64 of BS 7671:2018 provides test voltages and minimum values of insulation resistance. Since the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 came into force on 1 June 2020, the IET technical helpline has been inundated with calls related to the Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). This previous IET Wiring Matters article provides further information. In this article, we are going to answer some of the most common questions received and dispel some of the myths associated with the EICR. What is an EICR?

Table 51 has been modified slightly to take into account changes of colour identification for DC and abbreviations have been added. BS 7671:2018 introduced requirements for additional protection for AC final circuits supplying luminaires within domestic (household) premises. If this is observed to be absent, BPG 4 recommends that a C3 classification code is attributed. Stroma Certification sets out the principles for the periodic inspection and testing of electrical installations to enable contractors to verify standards and ensure statutory requirements are being complied with.What is important for the person carrying out the inspection and testing is the predicted reading of the instrument, which is usually shown to two decimal places. The predicted readings from our example are shown to two decimal places in Table 1, alongside predicted readings for a 60 m ring final circuit wired in 2.5/1.5 mm 2 cable calculated in the same way. It is clear to see from the definition that someone carrying out EICRs is required to have adequate education, training, and experience to do so. An inspection and testing qualification place is a good place to start, but it is also necessary that the inspector has the necessary experience. Common mistakes observed on EICRs Section D – Extent and limitations of inspection and testing The IET Wiring Regulations is the national standard to which all domestic and industrial wiring must conform. It is essential to all those concerned with the design, installation and maintenance of electric wiring in buildings. The 18th Edition is a major update to this title and contains extensive changes to many areas of BS 7671.

The requirements for RCD testing in BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 are given in the notes to Regulation 643.7.1 for fault protection and Regulation 643.8 for additional protection. A note in each section states the requirements and the key points are highlighted below. An EICR is an electrical installation condition report, on the condition of an electrical installation. The process involves a combination of inspection and testing to determine if the electrical installation is safe for continued use. and on completion, a report is issued. Section 514 contains a number of significant changes (including illustrations of notices which have been removed and examples are provided in Appendix 11). Some of the main changes are mentioned below.

A person carrying out an EICR is required to be competent. The term skilled person (electrically) is used in BS 7671:2018+A1:2020, defined as below: There is no longer a requirement to perform a test using a test current equal to or higher than five times the rated residual current. What is an alternating current test?

Appendix 4 includes minor changes concerning a cable surrounded by thermal insulation. Appendix 6 Model forms for certification and reporting NOTE 2: Regulation 16 of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 requires persons to be competent to prevent danger and injury. The HSE publication HSR25 provides guidance on this.’ Predicted measured resistance = r y//r g = 0.5013×0.5013 ÷ (0.5013+0.5013) = 0.2507 Ω Step 3, resistance at Test Point 5Testing is an ancillary activity to inspection, rather than the converse. When carrying out the inspection and test, the inspector should compare the installation for conformity with the current edition of BS 7671 and record any identified non-compliances. In some cases, it may be necessary to agree limitations to the report. This should be clearly noted in the agreed limitations section. It could be that the inspection and testing does not cover products such as fixed equipment connected to the installation, it is important this is made clear on the report.

Regulation, 702.414.3, concerning SELV and PELV, has been introduced. Section 703 - Rooms and cabins containing sauna heaters The inspector must discharge their duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989. It was noted that those testing RCDs in the field would find it difficult to carry out the variety of tests permitted and may not know which of the available tests would be applicable to a given make or type of RCD. Each manufacturer’s instrument is different but changing the RCD Type is usually selected by pressing the relevant ‘function’ button on the instrument and the RCD Type symbol will change accordingly: see Figure 2. Most instruments will include a function to test general non-delayed and S Type time-delayed Type AC and Type A RCDs, some test instruments may also include a facility for testing other Types such as Type B RCDs. It is very important to note that Regulation 621.2 requires the installation to have a “ detailed examination” and that examination is to be “ supplemented by appropriate tests”. It is essential for persons engaged in inspection and testing to understand that the inspection is more important than the testing.Any observations identified during inspection and testing should be recorded on the report. The observation should be a factual description of the problem, and not as commonly seen a proposal for the remedial works to rectify the issue. The HSE uses the term ‘competent person’, the term ‘skilled person’ is used throughout BS 7671:2018, Regulation 134.1.1 states that persons carrying out electrical works shall be skilled, which is defined in Part 2 as;