Periodic Inspection and Testing

Periodic Inspection and Testing (sometimes referred to as Periodic Electrical Inspection) is a procedure completed by qualified electricians and is carried out to ensure that the installation is safe and has not deteriorated.

The purpose of periodic inspection and testing is to provide for:
- the safety of persons and livestock against the effects of electric shock and burns in accordance with Regulation 131.1
- protection against damage to property by fire and heat arising from an installation defect
- conformation that the installation is not damaged or deteriorated so as to impair safety
- the identification of installation defects and non-compliance with the requirements of the Regulations

Visual Inspection

Unlike an initial verification, the periodic inspection should not be intrusive. Before starting the process, the extent and limitation of the inspection must be agreed with the person ordering the work. A minimum of 10% of the installation should be inspected, but if faults are found than this could increase. This is up to the judgement and experience of the inspector.

During visual inspection we would look at the installation with regard to:
- Safety
- Age
- Deterioration
- Corrosion
- Overload
- Wear and tear
- Non-compliance with regulations

Periodic Testing

In a case where the original Electrical Installation Certificate or the latest Electrical Installation Condition Report is available, the level of testing is usually far less for periodic inspection and testing then for initial verification testing.

In most cases however, past documents are either missing or incomplete. If this is the case than 100% of the installation must be tested with the full sequencing.

There is no set sequence for the testing which may be required to complete the Electrical Installation Condition Report. This is up to the judgement of the person carrying out the periodic inspection and testing process. However, we would advise the same sequence of tests as in the initial verification.

The sequence of tests:
- Continuity of protective conductors, including main and supplementary bonding
- Continuity of ring final circuit conductors
- Insulation resistance
- Polarity test
- Earth fault loop impedance tests
- Prospective fault current test
- RCD test
- Phase sequence test
- Functional testing

Upon completion of the periodic inspection procedure, an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) must be completed.