Testing schedule. Prooving neutral

[gazdkw82]

I was doing some practical on the next module at college last Friday. The module is fault finding and we was told to always follow the testing schedule when fault finding.

My lecturer pointed out that I was doing R1+RN when it's actually not actually one of the tests.

I questioned why because theoretically, if you don't prove continuity of the neutral before energising the circuit you are potentially creating a dangerous situation.

Also, if you don't proove contunity prior to IR then again this could lead to a dangerous situation.

Is there a reason this has been omited?

 

[westward10]

Not really sure why neutral is omitted for radial circuits but there is a reason we prove the line and cpc as is plays a critical part for fault protection and this is the path the earth fault loop impedance test follows. When using the three wire test for an EFLI test the neutral connection plays no part other than providing the tester with a neutral to function.

 

[telectrix]

you can prove the N by doing a live test after the dead tests. just measure the voltage L-N.

 

[gazdkw82]

Personally i think it's unnecessary to need a live test to prove the neutral when it's just as easy to make R1+RN part of the testinf schedule.

I understand the iimportance of confirming cpc and recording r1+r2, however a loose neutral on an energised circuit is still a dangerous situation and could be easily avoided.

 

[westward10]

There is nothing to say you cannot perform this test but schedules do not have a column to enter a result.

 

[Pete999]

There is nothing to say you cannot perform this test but schedules do not have a column to enter a result.

Good point

 

[gazdkw82]

There is nothing to say you cannot perform this test but schedules do not have a column to enter a result.

Yes. Good point and exactly what my college tutor said.

 

[Ian1981]

Of course when we carry out a ring final test we also do the figure of 8 test as it were, between line and neutral as well as line and cpc and only record the R1+R2 result.

 

[gazdkw82]

Of course when we carry out a ring final test we also do the figure of 8 test as it were, between line and neutral as well as line and cpc and only record the R1+R2 result.

Yes of course. This is based on radial circuits.