The Importance of Electrical Testing

Electricity is a crucial element in modern living, without it there would be no lighting, no heating and no internet. Clearly, we need electricity, but we also need to make sure that our electrical supplies are safe. Electricity, after all, is a powerful form of energy, and one which can quickly become unstable; it also has the potential to cause huge damage and even death. Therefore, it’s important that your electrical supplies are correctly tested.

What are the Types of Electrical Testing?

Electrical testing is a legal requirement that landlords and business owners must adhere to. They need to be able to demonstrate that their electrical systems are safe to use, and the simplest way to prove this is through electrical testing such as:

• Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR): this report is used to analyse a building’s electrical and wiring systems to determine their condition. The first step involves completing a visual assessment to pick up on any visual clues that the systems are damaged e.g. cracked wiring, signs of burning and any breaks in the system. The next step delves deeper and involves dead testing the wires and investigating the quality of failsafe systems alongside earthing and bonding checks. If your system is deemed to be compliant with regulations, the electrician will then issue your EICR.

• Portable Appliance Testing (PAT): one of the most recognisable electrical tests is the PAT test. This involves individual electrical devices – such as kettles, computers and portable heaters – being tested to identify any faults. These tests include checking any plugs, plug sockets, cables and appliances which are powered by your electrical supply. Once these devices are shown to have passed continuity, insulation and lead polarity tests, an electrician will be able to confirm they are safe to use.

It’s important to bear in mind that whilst an EICR will only need completing every five years, PAT tests should be completed on stationary and IT equipment every four years while extension leads and portable equipment should be tested every two years.

What Will Fail an Electrical Test?

Electrical tests are complex and comprehensive, so an electrical supply needs to be in excellent condition to pass. The following problems will cause supplies and appliances to fail electrical testing:

• Electrical equipment or supplies which are overloaded
• A lack of adequate earthing or bonding
• Any issues that indicate there is a risk or fire or electrical shock e.g. split wiring
• Evidence of poorly completed electrical work
• Electrical appliances being used incorrectly
• Incorrect fuses being fitted to electrical appliances
• Damaged plugs and sockets

Electrical Tests are Vital

The importance of electrical testing cannot be overstated. Living and working with dangerous electrical supplies is dangerous for everyone involved. Therefore, it makes sense to establish a regular testing schedule for your electric supplies and appliances. Not only will this provide you with peace of mind and safety, but it will ensure you comply to legal requirements.

Who Can Carry Out Electrical Testing?

The only person who can carry out electrical testing is a registered electrician. Regardless of your own experience and knowledge, unless you are a registered and qualified electrician, you should never attempt to carry out electrical testing yourself. Not only will the results of the test be void, but you risk harming yourself and damaging your electrical supply

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If you test with a Multimeter or any type of Continuity Meter/Buzzer or Insulation Tester you will see that the meter indicates that the earth conductor is OK and therefore the earth conductor is presumed to be safe - however sadly this is not the case. Now try the same test with a battery charger - the fuse will blow. Now you know that your earth is faulty and you can fix it.

In recent years it has become common for PAT Testers to be small and sometimes a lot lighter as they have less inside! Many PAT Testers nowadays do not have the ability to test an Earth by applying 10 Amps or 25 Amps through the protective earth conductor - it is our belief that this is a step backwards as far at PAT Testers, and safety, are concerned.

Size and price versus functionality is what the compromise has become.

There are still many (usually, but not always) more expensive PAT Tester that are able to do the 10/25 Amp Earth Bond Test - these we would define as electrical safety testers compared to electrical compliance testers. Both can meet the requirements of AS/NZS3760, but one goes a step further and is more likely to fail appliances with faulty earths.

Doing safety testing with just a Multimeter or similar type of instrument is like carrying an umbrella around in case it rains; only to find when it does rain that the umbrella leaks! An earth conductor substantially damaged or not there means that in a situation where a fault occurs the operator becomes the earth ie the operator becomes the means by which the active 230 Volts supply returns to earth - likely killing the person in the process!! It is essential that when an earth conductor is needed that it is able to pass the earth current required otherwise you or someone else will become the earth.

You should by now be able to see the difference between an Earth Bond and Earth Continuity Test ie an earth bond test shows whether the earth conductor is in a satisfactory condition; whereas an Earth Continuity Test (100 milliamps or less) using Multimeters and the like will possibly only show the earth is connected, not its' condition.