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The E.T.C.I. (Electro Technical Council of Ireland) set the standards and
regulations (in conjunction with the E.S.B.) for the installation and testing of
electrical installations. The E.T.C.I. have stated in it's regulations that
commercial & domestic premises electrical infrastructure be periodically
tested on a yearly & 5 year basis. This is to primarily ensure the integrity
of the system has remained intact over its life and to avoid any danger to life
or property due to a developing fault or faults.
The R.E.C.I. (Register of
Electrical Contractors of Ireland) are responsible for regulating the E.T.C.I.
regulations and in accordance with the E.T.C.I. produced a report for its
members to which inspection & testing of electrical installations are
carried out.
Within this report will be descriptions of the installation covered by this
verification, records of the instruments used to test the installation, and
their serial no. etc.. Covered also is supply characteristics and earthing
arrangements, details of the consumers earth electrode, earthing and bonding
conductors, supplementary bonding conductors, isolation and protective devices
at the origin of the installation, including night storage heating, inspection
schedule for the periodic report, including observations and recommendations,
leading finally to a declaration.
Not tested will be all final circuits and sub circuits for insulation values.
Within the Report additional information may be provided if areas not covered by
the report arise during the verification.
The tests carried out at this point will outline the condition of the
electrical infrastructure, that is all the electrical accessories (sockets/
lights/distribution) etc. accessible while undertest, this will comply with the
E.T.C.I.
However there are two parts to the electrical system, that which is the
electrical system (distribution) and that what gets plugged into it.
Namely
portable appliances, heaters, watercoolers, P.C.'s, servers, desk lamps etc.
Therefore as you have tested the infrastructure to be sound,
(Periodic
Inspection Test) the equipment which your Staff and Clients are likely to come
in to contact via direct contact, or perhaps indirect will have escaped testing,
specially the Electrical Bonding / C.P.C (earthing) of the equipment, which is
vital for safety.
This now involves the testing at a single point in time all connected
equipment to the premises electrical infrastructure. To carry out this form of
testing requires a P.A.T. (Portable Appliance Test ) to be carried out.
The Seaward Super Nova Plus (P.A.T. testing unit) will test the
following:
- Earth bond (Class 1)
- P-n continuity
- Insulation, run/leakage & Flash test
There will also be a visual inspection to the equipment. N.B. Extension leads
if used are also considered portable appliances.
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