The order and purpose of initial verification, the dead and live test sequences, and which certificate or EICR code applies.
Initial verification
Every new installation, addition or alteration must be verified before it is put into service. Initial verification is carried out in two stages: inspection first, then testing. Inspection is a visual check that equipment is correctly selected, erected, undamaged and suitable for the location.
Dead test sequence
With the installation safely isolated, tests are carried out in this order so that each result is valid:
- continuity of protective conductors, including main and supplementary bonding
- continuity of ring final circuit conductors
- insulation resistance, minimum 1 MOhm at 500 V DC for a 230/400 V circuit
- polarity
Live tests
With the supply restored:
- earth fault loop impedance, where Zs = Ze + (R1 + R2)
- operation of residual current devices
Ze is the external earth fault loop impedance and (R1 + R2) is the combined resistance of the line and protective conductors of the circuit.
Certificates
- EIC, the Electrical Installation Certificate, for a new installation or any work that adds a new circuit
- MEIWC, the Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate, for minor work that does not add a new circuit
- EICR, the Electrical Installation Condition Report, for periodic inspection of an existing installation
EICR classification codes
- C1: danger present, risk of injury, immediate action required
- C2: potentially dangerous, urgent remedial action required
- C3: improvement recommended, not a failure on its own
- FI: further investigation required without delay
An EICR is recorded as unsatisfactory if any C1, C2 or FI is present.