C&G 2391-1 Exam and forms

My exam is set for 18:30 on the 19 July 2007, so keep your fingers crossed for me.

Looking at passed papers and trying to predict what questions are likely to be asked may work but in my experience of externally set exams it is better to concentrate on testing your knowledge of the subject. Sat reading through your notes on it's own is not likely to help much.

For me it is best to choose a particular subject matter and write all you can remember on the subject then correct any errors and then add omissions from your notes. In this way you are amplifying your knowledge and re-enforcing your memory links such that you will have instant recall not only for the exam but later on in life.

You will have to believe me that I have none of the books or notes to hand as I write this. My subject matter is on the forms that are required by the BS7671 related to electrical testing and inspection.

A new installation requires the completion of an Electrical Installation Certificate that can be one of two formats. The first format contains spaces for two designers to sign, the installer and finally the actual inspector. The second is a shorter format and is where the designer, installer and inspector are the same person. Both forms require inclusion of two other documents, these being a schedule of inspection and a schedule of tests. It is also required that all documents are numbered generally in the format 1 of 5, thus giving the total number of pages, in this case 5 and also the actual page number, again in the case page 1. It is this certificate that gives initial verification that the new circuit or system complies with BS 7671.

At this point it is worth pointing out that BS 7671 is not a statuotory document but in almost all cases will compliance with BS7671 ensure compliance with the stauotory document, the Electricity At Work Act 1989. Under the EAWR the Inspector is called the Duty Holder and this title must not be taken likely since the maximum prison sentence could be 10 years. Testing instruments come under the EAWR and so their use or miss use could land the inspector in a court of law. To aid those involved in electrical testing the Health and Safety Exceutive has published a document called GS38 which again is not statutory but compliance with it will almost in all cases ensure compliance with the EAWR 1989.

The Schedule of Inspection is a list of items that need to be considered when inspecting an installation. All parts of the document should be filled in with a tick for compliance a cross for none compliance, N/A where the particular item of inspection is not relevant, LIM where that part is noted in the Limits and Exceptions.

The Schedule of tests contain results of tests carried out on the installation.

Test 1 Earthing conductor
Test 2 Equipotential Bonding
Test 3 Circuit Protective conductors (R1+R2)
Test 4 Ring Final Circuits
Test 5 Insulation Testing
Test 6 Earth Fault impedance (Would require verification of Ze)
Test 7 Prospective fault current

Time has won, more later, cya soon