periodic test

[dochisholm]

ok i am confused by other posts on here I have to complete a PIR on a house for rental. The client will not pay for me to have apart every switch, light, socket. What do I do what do you do. Do you check a percentage of accesories fittings and write that percentage down as a limitation? Do you do a loop test at end of line only on radial circuits if so is this a limitation. Please help differing advice on here. Any example pir would be appreciated

 

[Johnny-G]

You agree with the customer the extent of the test.
Zs is only needed at the end of a radial circuit as that will be it's highest reading, faulty or degrading accessories apart.
No offence mate, but I hope you've got the correct insurance for doing PIR's as these are very basic questions you're asking.

 

[dochisholm]

johnny i do have correct insurance yes. I know they may be basic to you however I have recently gone out on my own but I havent done any pereiodics for myself before i know gs3 says a minimum of 10% and to test radials at extent but this is only recommended so does it need to be recorded in limitations

 

[Johnny-G]

Record the % of the test as a limitation yes, but Zs on a radial 'must' be at the extent so that's a requirement not a limitation.
Think about a lighting circuit, there may be continuity at one fitting but none at the last fitting so it's pointless not doing it at the last fitting.

 

[telectrix]

you can only do what he is prepared to pay for. if you are unhappy with limiting the test/inspection, walk away. if you are prepared to do a limited test/inspection , make sure it is entered on cert. and get client to sign for the extent of the inspection.

 

[Guest123]

Agree an initial 'sampleing' amount of say 25% of accessories inspected and record this as a limitation.

Depending on what you find on this initial sampleing amount you may need to increase it BUT, make the customer fully aware of this.

 

[dochisholm]

i did read that right however it seems strange as say for a lighting circuit you may have metal switches with no earth as you have only tested furthest point be it switch or light fitting

 

[Guest123]

i did read that right however it seems strange as say for a lighting circuit you may have metal switches with no earth as you have only tested furthest point be it switch or light fitting

But you would already have spotted that on your initial inspection before you even got your tester out of the van.

 

[dochisholm]

how if your only sampling ?

 

[Guest123]

Well if I spotted a mixture of plastic and metal switches in a domestic property, the metal ones would be the % of the ones for that circuit that I'd check, for this very reason.

 

[dochisholm]

me to but if they are all metal switches what then

 

[dochisholm]

any help with this

 

[Johnny-G]

Use a wander lead & R2 all the face plates.

 

[nickblake]

Good answer johnny , periodics are not easy they need alot of experiance to carry out , and ill be honest i will walk away from an inspection if some one only wants me to do a visual , as to me thats not an inspection , i 100 % agree with lenny on inspecting the light switches which are metal i will always do at least 25% of the light switches and 25 % of the socket out lets and a full test of the installation ,that is R1&R2 of every radial circuit continuity of all final ring circuits plus the R1&R2 of them and an IR test of all circuits followed by the Zs and RCD tests where applicable and a ramp test of the RCD's , a periodic is an inspection to determin the condition of the installation , if you short change the testing you could be missing serious defects , the limitations box has its limitations if you see what i mean , there are way to many in out inspection done these days

 

[dochisholm]

thanks nick and i agree thats why I am seeking advice before I jump into it as I havent done any for myself before always worked for other people who did the periodics. What I am saying is if you do a 25% check of each accessory as agreed and all the witches are metal what then check all of the switches? The actual testing I always test every circuit fully as advised in gn3. Additional question for r1+r2 and zs on radial you take this from the furthest point what would be your procedure if there appeared to be multiple end of lines test each and record highest would be my resolve

 

[nickblake]

Yes the R1&R2 should be tested at the end of line and you are correct in saying if they do have multiple ends as the often do that the highest reading be put down ,also mark that the is multiple ends on the comments box too , the other thing i do is to test the R1&R2 at several points along the circuit to this will confirm polarity along the circuit , i do this due to finding on a couple of lighting circuits where the DIYer has added some lights and got the polarity wrong i just a section of the circuit ,by this i mean polarity crosses at one point and then crossed back at another point , no what you'd expect but i has and does happen , as for the 25% of the installation if you work out an average say check one socket in each room and a number of light switches this is the connections and wiring in the switch if you do have lots of metal faced switches you can quickly check these by doing the R2 test with a wonder lead as jonny pointed out

 

[dochisholm]

ok nick so if i am correct i write in my limitations 25% visual check? perform these checks if all is not well extend sample if it is continue to next circuit. The testing i am ok with its just the sampling limitations i was stuck with. Thank you very much. I agree it is good practice to do r2 on every metal faceplate however would i be right in saying for arguments sake if there was one without earth amoungst the installtion that wasnt in your sample you would not be accountable.

 

[Sintra]

IMO you should check all metal switches with a wander lead for R2 and visually open and inspect the 25% and note this as a limitation. Once you have the wander lead connected to the cu it will only take a matter of minutes to go round all the metal switches and this way you have covered your rear.

 

[nickblake]

As sintra has said the time it takes you to nip round all the light switches is minimal ,If i inspect switches and find one thats not earthed even if i have put a 25% limitation i will check them all its so easy once you are set up to do this , ill give you an example i carried out an inspection today on a building 26 wall lights , i inspected 6 tested at 3 as they were on 3 circuits then used an R2 wander lead just to confim that they all were earthed like sintra say cover your rear , dont rush it take your time , and depending on the size of the installation it should take you a minimum of 3 to 4 hours

 

[dochisholm]

thanks sintra