Regulation 611 of the wiring regulations requires that electrical inspections and testing be carried out with circuits isolated from the power supply for safety. Chapter 621 gives requirements for periodic inspection reports and testing, stating that only competent persons as defined in Part 2 of BS7671 should perform this work. Inspections should include testing without dismantling, and documentation of all inspection and testing results is required to be kept. The frequency of periodic inspections is determined based on the installation type, use, maintenance quality, and external influences.

1. Wiring Regulation.
Carrying out electrical inspection reports and certification without sufficient experience and training can be very
dangerous for the inspector and others. BS7671 recommends that a person undertaking electrical testing and inspecting
are competent (see 621.5 below).
Chapter 62 gives the requirements for periodic inspection condition reports and testing. Here is an overview of the
regulations:
Safe Working & Safe Isolation
Regulation 611 requires that testing and inspection procedures should normally be carried out with the relevant circuits
or that part of the installation disconnected from the supply. Any work must be carried out with regard to the Electricity
at Work Regulations which clearly refers to any work or activity near ‘live’ conductors.
Many inspections will involve the removal of accessory covers. Safe isolation procedures must be followed as
recommended in the Electrical Safety Council’s Best Practice Guide 2.
621.1 Inspection and testing of every electrical installation shall be carried out in accordance with the regulations 621.2
to 5 in order to determine whether the installation is in a satisfactory condition for continued service. Existing
documentation from previous inspections should be used and where there are none an investigation of the electrical
installation should be carried out before starting any inspection and testing.
Dismantling
621.2 A detailed inspection should be carried out without dismantling, or with partial dismantling as required. Electrical
tests should show that the requirements for disconnection times (Chapter 41) for protective devices to current regs
amendments are complied with. Chapter 61 gives details of the tests required and a sample Schedule of Inspections is
given in Appendix 6.
Test Instruments & Equipment
621.3 Testing and inspection must not cause danger to people or livestock and must not cause damage to property and
equipment. Measuring instruments and monitoring equipment should be chosen to comply with BS-EN 61557.
Documentation & Records

2. 621.4 The extent and results of the testing and inspection of an installation must be recorded.
The IEE Wiring Regulations require that documentation and records of all inspections and tests are kept of any testing
and inspection work. Certificates for Electrical Installation, Condition Reports and Minor works should be issued to
record test results and comments about installations.
Competent Persons
621.5 Testing and inspection should only be carried by a competent person. It is highly recommended that electricians
(even those experienced in electrical work) undertake training and qualifications specific to testing and inspection.
A competent person is defined in Part 2 of BS7671 and would be reasonably need to meet all of the following
requirements:
Possess enough experience and technical knowledge to avoid danger to themselves and others ie. safe isolation and safe
testing procedures (see below)
Be skilled and familiar with the testing procedures and safe operation of appropriate test instruments
Have a knowledge of the current requirements of BS7671 relevant to the type of electrical installation for inspection
and testing
Be in possession of enough information about the installation to enable them to carry out the work safely. This would
include being able to re-instate the installation in a completely safe and serviceable state after the inspection and testing
is completed.
Frequency
622.1 The frequency of Periodic Inspections and Testing are decided by the Inspector and should be determined by
taking into account:
1 The installation or building type- domestic, commercial or industrial
2 Use and operation
3 Quality and frequency of maintenance
4 External influences on the installation
More info about frequency of testing.
Maintenance & Skilled Persons
622.2 In the case of an installation under an effective management system for preventive maintenance in normal use,
periodic inspection and testing may be replaced by an adequate regime of continuous monitoring and maintenance of
the installation and all its constituent equipment by skilled persons, competent in such work. Appropriate documentation
of works, testing and inspection should be held for future reference.
Recommended Reading

3. Guidance Note 3 is an indispensable reference source for anyone carrying out the inspection and testing of electrical
installations. Sections include: General requirements, Testing Procedures for Initial Verification and Periodic Inspecting,
Test Instruments and Sample Forms. References include Maximum Permissible Earth Fault Impedences and Tables of
R1+R2 values for cables (similar to the On-Site Guide).
www.electrician2hire.co.uk