Let's say I want to test the wiring in a house. The wiring is new but undocumented.

Which tools and meters do I need?

Which tests should I carry out?

How should these tests be carried out?

Which values should I get?

I know Trumpy outlined the tests required in NZ. But I haven't seen a 'hands on' guide to the testing procedure. The Swedish regs are as always unclear.

IEE Regs. in the U.K. set out a whole range of tests for correct earthing, polarity, ring continuity, loop impedance, etc.

This guide gives a pretty good idea of what's involved: http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Book/8.1.1.htm

have you got a week for us to explain!!!!

Thanks for posting that link Paul, it's saved me a lot of typing.

C-H,
Obviously these are for standard UK installations, so there will certainly be some variations in Sweden.
Do Swedish wiring regs not have Guidance Notes on Inspection & Testing, suggesting appropriate testing methods?

Maybe. Some things like testing the integrity of a ring are not needed.


Errr... That is probably in the guide that you can buy in addition to the regulations.

For the insultation testing: Can you use 1000V tester like this one even if only a 500V test is required?

Sure. The Regs. just specify a minimum test voltage of 500V DC for all 240V single-phase and 415V 3-phase systems.

C-H,
I'd just like to make a point.
The Regulations have never been written with the intention of them being a training guide in the practical guide in the why's and where's of Electrical work(including testing).
This side of Electrical work, is learnt during an apprenticeship or similar type of training system.
Don't you need to be Qualified in Sweden to test new Electrical work?(and certify it, where this is required?), before it is connected to a supply.
Please do not misconstrue this posting as a personal attack on yourself, as this is not my intention, at all.

You're right. This is why I couldn't simply look it up...


Yes, you do. (Well, legally you or your boss has to be qualified.)

The questions were more or less hypotetical, as I don't have a new installation which needs testing.

(My parents just bought a house, and I intend to call an electrician to have it inspected. I was curious what tests he is supposed to carry out. The thing is that the wiring in this case is rather sloppy which makes me distrust the workmanship of the local electricans. Some boxes are so full of wires that it is impossible to the cover on. I touched one wirenut yesterday and it came off instantly.)



[This message has been edited by C-H (edited 06-22-2003).]

The tests outlined in that link would be equally applicable to either a new installation or to an electrician inspecting and testing an existing system.

NOte particularly the requirement that certain tests be carried out before others in order to maintain proper safety.

Paul,
That's a really good link, mate!.
Must have a decent read of it sometime.
C-H,
I would also be very suspicious of any electricians, whose standard of workmanship is like that you have just described.
I'd keep an eye on the testing process, if I were you.

For the Australians & New Zealanders amongst us, Chapter 6 of AS/NZS 3000:2000 has a listing of the required testing. Also AS3017:2003 is a good guide with the pictures in there to help you along.

32VAC,
Thanks mate!.
Testing of houses is becoming a problem here from a Power Company perspective.
Electricians with respect to new houses don't tend to stick around for the livening of a new house these days.
I've struck houses here that have not had the Main Earth connected to the electrode.
One other thing that scares me is the fact that some of the Circuit Breaker connections to the fork connectors (on a DIN Rail) aren't even tightened.
Electricians like to make money, that is for sure, but it only takes one house to burn down and there is your profit and your reputation down the drain.
Before I went on holiday I did a Earth loop test on a new house a block over from here.
At the futherest plug from the switcboard I got a reading of 45 ohms.
Tightening the Earth and Neutral conductors at the switchboard bought this down to 0.11 ohm.
And we register these clowns!.