Code of Practice for In-service

Inspection and Testing of

Electrical Equipment
4th Edition
Published by The Institution of Engineering and Technology, London, United Kingdom

The Institution of Engineering and Technology is registered as a Charity in England & Wales
(no. 211014) and Scotland (no. SC038698).

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formed by the joining together of the IEE (The Institution of Electrical
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© 1994, 2001, 2007, 2012 The Institution of Engineering and Technology

First published 1994 (0 85296 844 2)

Second edition 2001 (0 85296 776 4)
Reprinted with new cover 2003
Third edition 2007 (978-0-86341-833-4)
Reprinted 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012
Fourth edition 2012 (978-1-84919-626-0)

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ISBN 978-1-84919-626-0

Typeset in the UK by Carnegie Book Production, Lancaster

Printed in the UK by Cambrian Printers Ltd, Aberystwyth
Contents

Cooperating organizations 9
Acknowledgements 10
Preface 11
Introduction 13

Part 1 Administration of Inspection and Testing 17

1 Scope 19
1.1 Users of electrical equipment, persons managing a maintenance
scheme, persons performing inspections and tests, and other duty-holders 19
1.1.1 Users of electrical equipment 19
1.1.2 Persons managing a maintenance scheme (duty-holders) 19
1.1.3 Persons undertaking the practical inspection and testing of
electrical equipment 19
1.1.4 Other duty-holders such as landlords, company directors,
managers and building services managers etc. 20
1.2 Equipment 20
1.2.1 Medical electrical equipment 20
1.3 Premises 20
1.4 Voltages and phases 20
1.5 Summary of the objectives of this Code of Practice 21

2 Definitions 23

3 The law 33
3.1 The legislation 33
3.1.1 The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 33
3.1.2 The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 33
3.1.3 The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 34
3.1.4 The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 34
3.1.5 Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 35
3.1.6 The Housing Act 2004 (England and Wales) 35
3.1.7 The Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 36
3.1.8 The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 36
3.1.9 Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment Regulations 2006
(WEEE directive) 36
3.2 Scope of the legislation 37

Code of Practice for in-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment 3

© The Institution of Engineering and Technology
3.3 Who is responsible? 37
3.4 Maintenance 38

4 Fixed electrical installation 39

4.1 Means of earthing 39
4.2 RCD protection 39
4.3 Sufficient socket-outlets should be provided 40
4.4 Damaged accessories 40
4.5 Specialized installations 41

5 Types of electrical equipment 43

5.1 Portable appliances or equipment 43
5.2 Movable appliances or equipment (sometimes called transportable) 43
5.3 Hand-held appliances or equipment 44
5.4 Stationary appliances or equipment 44
5.5 Fixed equipment or appliances 45
5.5.1 Inspection and testing of fixed equipment or appliances 45
5.6 Appliances or equipment for building-in 46
5.7 Information technology equipment 46
5.8 Extension leads and RCD extension leads 46
5.9 Multiway adaptors and RCD adaptors 46
5.10 Surge protective devices 46

6 The electrical tests 47

6.1 Testing throughout the life of equipment 47
6.2 Manufacturer’s type testing 47
6.3 Manufacturer’s production testing 47
6.4 In-service inspection and testing 47
6.5 Testing after repair 48

7 In-service inspection and testing 49

7.1 Inspection 49
7.1.1 Risk-based assessments 49
7.2 Categories of inspection and testing 50
7.3 Frequency of inspection and testing through risk-based assessments 50
7.4 Review of frequency of inspection and testing 53

8 Procedures for in-service inspection and testing 55

8.1 The basic requirement 55
8.2 Test equipment 55
8.3 Documentation 56
8.4 Labelling 56
8.5 Damaged or faulty equipment 57
8.6 User responsibilities 57
8.7 Availability of records 57

Code of Practice for in-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment 4

© The Institution of Engineering and Technology
9 Training 59
9.1 Requirements and responsibilities 59
9.2 The user 59
9.3 The duty-holder or manager 60
9.4 The inspector 60
9.5 The test operative 60
9.5.1 Training 60
9.5.2 Experience 61
9.6 The person repairing faulty equipment 61

10 Test instruments 63
10.1 Safety of test equipment 63
10.1.1 Test instruments 63
10.1.2 Test probes and leads 63
10.1.3 Test probes and leads for use in conjunction with a voltmeter,
multimeter, electrician’s test lamp or voltage indicator 63
10.2 Portable appliance test instruments 63
10.2.1 Three-phase equipment 65
10.3 Low resistance ohmmeters (for earth continuity testing) 65
10.4 Insulation resistance ohmmeters (applied voltage method) 66
10.5 Instrument accuracy 67

Part 2 Inspection and Testing (including user checks) 69

11 Equipment construction types 71

11.1 Class I 72
11.1.1 Class I typical construction showing basic insulation and earthed
metal 72
11.1.2 Class I construction showing the use of air as a basic insulation
medium 73
11.1.3 Class I construction incorporating unearthed metal separated
from live parts by basic and supplementary insulation 73
11.1.4 Class I construction incorporating unearthed metal separated
from live parts by basic insulation and earthed metal 74
11.2 Class II 74
11.2.1 Class II equipment with a substantial enclosure of insulating
material comprising basic and supplementary insulation 75
11.2.2 Class II equipment with a substantial enclosure of reinforced
insulating material 75
11.2.3 Class II equipment with a substantial enclosure of insulating
material – the insulation construction includes air 76
11.2.4 Class II equipment with unearthed metal in the enclosure,
separated from live parts by basic and supplementary insulation 76
11.2.5 Class II equipment with unearthed metal separated from live
parts by reinforced insulation 77
11.2.6 Class II equipment with unearthed metal separated from live
parts by basic and supplementary insulation including air gaps 77
11.2.7 Metal-encased Class II equipment 78

Code of Practice for in-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment 5

© The Institution of Engineering and Technology
11.3 Class III 78
11.4 Class 0 and 0I 79
11.4.1 Class 0 equipment 79
11.4.2 Class 0I equipment 79

12 Types of inspection and testing 80

13 The user check 81

14 The formal visual inspection 85

14.1 Manufacturer’s instructions 85
14.2 Suitability of the equipment for the environment 85
14.3 Switching of equipment 86
14.3.1 Functional switching 86
14.3.2 Isolation and switching off for mechanical maintenance 86
14.3.3 Emergency switching 87
14.4 User feedback 87
14.5 The equipment 88
14.6 Equipment failing the formal visual inspection 88
14.7 Recording the formal visual inspection 88

15 Combined inspection and testing 89

15.1 Preliminary inspection 90
15.2 Test procedures 90
15.3 In-service tests 91
15.4 The earth continuity test 91
15.5 The insulation resistance test 93
15.6 Protective conductor/touch current measurement 95
15.7 Functional checks 96
15.8 Damaged or faulty equipment 96
15.9 Appliance lead sets 97
15.10 Extension leads, multiway adaptors and RCD adaptors 97
15.10.1 Extension leads 97
15.10.2 RCD extension leads 98
15.10.3 Multiway adaptors and RCD adaptors 99
15.11 High protective conductor currents 100
15.12 Replacement of appliance flexes 101
15.13 Plug fuses 101
15.14 Equipment that cannot be located 102

16 New and third party equipment 103

16.1 New equipment and appliances 103
16.2 Second-hand equipment and appliances 103
16.3 Hired equipment 103

Code of Practice for in-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment 6

© The Institution of Engineering and Technology
Part 3 Appendices 105

I British Standards 107

II Legal references and notes 109

II.1 Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 110
II.2 The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 110
II.3 Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 111
II.4 Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 112
II.4.1 General 112
II.4.2 Maintenance 112
II.4.3 Inspection of work equipment that poses electrical risks 112
II.4.4 Specific risks 113
II.4.5 Information and instructions 113
II.4.6 Training 113
II.4.7 Isolation from sources of energy 113
II.4.8 Maintenance operations 113

III The Electricity at Work Regulations 115

III.1 Regulation 4: Systems, work activities and protective equipment 115
III.1.1 Regulation 4(2) 115
III.1.2 Regulation 4(3) 116
III.2 Regulation 5: Strength and capability of electrical equipment 116
III.3 Regulation 6: Adverse or hazardous environments 116
III.4 Regulation 7: Insulation, protection and placing of conductors 117
III.5 Regulation 8: Earthing or other suitable precautions 117
III.6 Regulation 10: Connections 117
III.7 Regulation 12: Means of cutting off the supply and for isolation 118
III.8 Regulation 13: Precautions for work on equipment made dead 118
III.9 Regulation 14: Work on or near live conductors 119
III.10 Regulation 15: Working space, access and lighting 119
III.11 Regulation 16: Persons to be competent to prevent danger and injury 119
III.11.1 ‘... prevent danger or, where appropriate, injury ...’ 119
III.11.2 Technical knowledge or experience 120
III.11.3 Allocation of responsibilities 120
III.11.4 Supervision 120

IV Summary of legislation and guidance 121

V Model forms for in-service inspection and testing 125

Form V.1 Equipment register 126
Form V.2 Equipment formal visual and combined inspection and test record 127
Form V.3 Equipment labels 129
Form V.4 Repair register 130
Form V.5 Faulty equipment register 131
Form V.6 Test instrument record 132

Code of Practice for in-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment 7

© The Institution of Engineering and Technology
VI Resistance of flexible cables 133

VII Checks to be made on a plug, a cable and an

extension lead 135

VIII Guide to isolation procedures 141

Index 143

Code of Practice for in-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment 8

© The Institution of Engineering and Technology
Cooperating
organizations

The Institution of Engineering and Technology wishes to acknowledge the contribution

made by the following representatives of organizations in the preparation of this Code
of Practice.

Association for Professional GAMBICA Association Ltd

Appliance Testing J. Wallace MPhil BSc
T.J. Dyster M.D. Moore
Association of Manufacturers of Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
Domestic Appliances (AMDEA) K. Morton BSc CEng FIET
S. MacConnacher
Institution of Engineering and
BEAMA Installation Ltd Technology (IET)
M. Mullins M. Coles BEng(Hons) MIET
P. Sayer IEng MIET GCGI
NAPIT
British Cables Association (BCA) B. Allan BEng (Hons) CEng MIET
C.K. Reed IEng MIET
SELECT (Electrical Contractors’
City & Guilds Association of Scotland)
Mr P. Tanner MIET LCGI D. Millar IEng MIET
B. Cairney IEng MIET
Electrical Contractors’ Association
(ECA) Revising author, compilation and
G. Digilio IEng FIET editing
R. Townsend CMS MIET
Electrical Safety Council
S. Curtler IEng MIET GCGI

Code of Practice for in-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment 9

© The Institution of Engineering and Technology
Acknowledgements

References to British Standards are made with the kind permission of BSI.
Complete copies can be obtained from:

BSI Customer Services

389 Chiswick High Road
London W4 4AL
Tel: +44 (0)20 8996 9001
Fax: +44 (0)20 8996 7001
Email: orders@bsi-global.com

References to HSE publications are made with the kind permission of the HSE.
Copies of publications can be obtained from:

HSE Books
PO Box 1999
Sudbury
Suffolk CO10 2WA
Tel: +44 (0)1787 881165
Fax: +44 (0)1787 313995
Email: hsebooks@prolog.uk.com
Web: http://books.hse.gov.uk

Further information is available from the HSE website (www.hse.gov.uk).

Code of Practice for in-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment 10

© The Institution of Engineering and Technology
Preface

The objective of this Code of Practice is to give advice on in-service inspection and
testing to determine whether electrical equipment is fit for continued service or if
maintenance or replacement is necessary.

The main changes in this edition of the Code of Practice include clarification of which
equipment is covered, the inclusion of hired and second-hand equipment and a change
in the scope. In addition, there is an explanation of the risk assessment required to
determine frequencies between inspection and testing, if it is required.

Information on microwave leakage testing is not within the remit of this Code of Practice,
because it does not directly relate to ‘electrical safety’. For this reason microwave in-
service leakage testing has been removed.

Production testing, previously included in this Code of Practice, has been removed as
it is not relevant to in-service inspection and testing.

Changes have been made to the initial frequencies in Table 7.1, to reflect information
made available from equipment manufacturers, which is based on historic test results.

This Code of Practice does not cover in-house inspection and testing of equipment or
appliances that are used for commercial gain hire purposes. Equipment hire companies
should refer to the Hire Association of Europe (HAE) (www.hae.org.uk) and Event Hire
Association (EHA) (www.eha.org.uk), whose document HAEEST2012: ‘Guidance on
Electrical Safety Testing in the Hire Industry’ gives information on in-service inspection,
maintenance, return to service after repair and regimes for hire equipment prior to its
release to customers/clients.

Code of Practice for in-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment 11

© The Institution of Engineering and Technology
Code of Practice for in-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment 12
© The Institution of Engineering and Technology
Introduction

Why is it necessary to maintain electrical equipment?

Electric shock can kill or seriously injure. This is one of the hazards that electrical safety
legislation is intended to protect against. Many serious shocks occur when the current
flow is from hand to hand, because the route the current takes is through or near the
heart.

The Electricity at Work Regulations requires, in Regulation 4(2), that:

As may be necessary to prevent danger, all systems shall be maintained so as to

prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, such danger.

Regulation 4(2) is concerned with the need for maintenance to be done in order
to ensure safety of the system if danger would otherwise result. The quality and
frequency of maintenance should be sufficient to prevent danger, so far as is
reasonably practicable.

Regular inspection of equipment is an essential part of any preventive maintenance

programme. Practical experience of the use of equipment and its environment may
indicate an adjustment to the frequency with which preventive maintenance needs to
be carried out. This is a matter for the judgement of the responsible person or duty-
holder, who should seek all the information needed to make an informed decision
including reference to the manufacturer’s guidance.

Although the Electricity at Work Regulations does not require records of maintenance to
be kept, it is recommended that records of maintenance, including test results, should
be kept throughout the working life of the electrical equipment to enable

ff the condition of the equipment to be monitored,

ff the effectiveness of the maintenance policies to be assessed,
ff the demonstration that an effective maintenance system is in place, and
ff the duty-holder responsible for the inspection and testing regime to assess the
future frequency required between formal visual inspections and any combined
inspections and tests.

What should be maintained?

All electrical systems and equipment should be maintained if danger would otherwise
arise (see Figure 1).

Other than the fixed installation, which is considered to be the installation from the
meter point to the socket-outlet, or fuse connection unit, all electrical equipment in an
installation, whether permanently connected or connected by a plug and socket-outlet,

Code of Practice for in-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment 13

© The Institution of Engineering and Technology
TTFigure 1 Examples of equipment covered by this Code of Practice

S D

S D

S D

S D

S D

RF

US D

Code of Practice for in-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment 14

© The Institution of Engineering and Technology
 should be inspected and tested in accordance with the recommendations contained
in this Code of Practice.

Items of heavy plant, including air handling units (AHUs), heating ventilation and air
conditioning (HVAC) systems, and other items of integrated plant and their associated
systems, are not covered by this Code of Practice. These types of systems should
form part of a specialized maintenance and inspection routine. The connecting cables
and junction boxes for integrated plant should be inspected and tested during the
electrical installation’s periodic inspection regime and a report of its condition given in
the Electrical Installation Condition Report.

Note: Self-contained or two-part air conditioners and climate control units, which are not AHU
or HVAC systems, are within the scope of this Code of Practice.

The fixed installation should be periodically inspected and tested to ensure its satisfactory
BS 7671 condition for continued use as required by BS 7671:2008 (2011) Requirements for
Electrical Installations, 17th Edition of the IET Wiring Regulations. Guidance on the
requirements of BS 7671, concerning inspection and testing of the fixed electrical
GN3 installation, is given in the IET’s Guidance Note 3: Inspection & Testing (GN3).

Who has responsibilities?

The following people have responsibility for electrical systems and equipment:

ff users of electrical equipment (whose responsibilities include user checks)

ff duty-holders with responsibility for electrical maintenance who may not
necessarily have detailed technical knowledge
ff the competent person carrying out the formal visual inspection and the
inspections and tests
ff other duty-holders such as company directors, managers or building services
managers
ff hirers and suppliers of hired equipment (additional advice can be found on the
Trading Standards Institute website, www.tradingstandards.gov.uk)
ff landlords and property management companies in control of Houses in Multiple
Occupation (HMOs).

What needs to be done to comply with the relevant

requirements of the Electricity at Work Regulations?
The requirements of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 can be met by

1 performing in-service inspection and testing, which consist of three activities:

i user checks
ii formal visual inspections (without tests)
iii combined inspections and tests (although the Electricity at Work Regulations
do not require the keeping of records, up-to-date information can be a means
of showing that a maintenance scheme exists)
2 performing maintenance or, if necessary, replacing the defective item of
equipment (depending upon the results of the in-service inspection and testing),
and
3 keeping up-to-date records that can be a means of showing compliance.

Code of Practice for in-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment 15

© The Institution of Engineering and Technology
TTFigure 2
HSR25: Memorandum
of Guidance on the
Electricity at Work
Regulations 1989
[Courtesy of the HSE]

Information on the Electricity at Work Regulations can be found in the Health and
Safety Executive (HSE) publication Memorandum of Guidance on the Electricity at
Work Regulations 1989 (see Figure 2). This publication is now available as a free
download from www.hse.gov.uk.

Background to the Code of Practice

To encourage free trade within the European Union, existing national standards are
being harmonized and converted to European standards. Compliance with harmonized
European standards gives assurance to purchasers that appliances and equipment have
been designed and constructed to a standard that ensures in normal use, as intended
by the manufacturer, they function safely.

In order to check compliance, manufacturers have to perform a series of tests on the

appliance and its components as required by the standard. The appliance is required
to pass these tests if it is to be said that it complies with the standard. A list of some of
the safety standards for electrical equipment is given in Appendix I. The tests detailed
in these standards are generally not suitable for in-service testing.

This Code of Practice recommends in-service inspections and tests that can be applied
generally to equipment and appliances in normal use. Routine manufacturers’ tests are
not required for general in-service testing, but may be applied to appliances after repair.

Layout of the Code of Practice

Part 1 provides guidance on what work should be done in order to comply with
the applicable legislation, including the Electricity at Work Regulations, and whether
this work can be carried out in-house. Advice is included on the law, procedures,
documentation and training.

Part 2 is written for those carrying out the practical work and explains the details of
the inspections and tests.

Part 3 comprises a series of appendices containing information and guidance and

includes model forms that allow records to be kept in order to demonstrate that an
effective system of maintenance is in place.

Code of Practice for in-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment 16

© The Institution of Engineering and Technology
Index

Note: Entries refer to chapter and section numbers; Appx= Appendix; ‘n’ refers to the
notes following a table.

A
accessible metal part, definition Chap 2
accessories, definition Chap 2
accuracy, test instruments 10.3; 10.5
adaptors, multiway 5.9; 15.10.3; Table 15.1
administrators’ responsibilities 1.1.2; 9.3
adverse environments: see hazardous locations
appliance, definition Chap 2
appliance lead sets: see lead sets
ASTA mark 15.13; Appx VII.1

B
basic insulation Chap 2
basic protection Chap 2
Batteries Directive 2006 3.1.9
battery operated equipment Table 7.1 n6
British Standards Appx I
BS 1362 15.13; Appx VII.1
BS 1363 15.12; Appx VII.1
BS 1363A Appx VII.1
BS 6360 Appx VI.1
BS 6500 Appx VI.1
BS 7071 Table 15.5
BS 7288 Table 15.5
BS 7671 4.3; 11.3; 14.3.2; 15.10.1; 15.11
BS EN 60309 10.2.1; 15.10.1; 15.11
BS EN 60335 11.3
BS EN 60742 11.3
BS EN 60950 10.4; 15.11; Table 15.2 n3
BS EN 61008 15.10.2; Table 15.5
BS EN 61009 15.10.2; Table 15.5
BS EN 61010 10.1.1; 10.1.2
BS EN 61557 10.3; 10.4
BS EN 61558 11.3
built-in equipment/appliances 5.6
business equipment
isolation 14.3.2; 15.1
see also IT equipment

C
cable reels Appx VII.3
cables: see flexible cables
calibration, test instruments 10.5
catering equipment Table 7.1

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 Index

CE marking 16.2
children’s rides Table 7.1 n3
Christmas tree lights 11.4.1; 15.13
circuit protective conductor (cpc) Chap 2
Class 0 equipment Chap 2; 11.4.1
Class 0I equipment 11.2.7; 11.4.2
Class I equipment 11.1
definition Chap 2
earth continuity testing 15.4
frequency of inspection and testing Table 7.1
insulation resistance Table 15.2
protective conductor/touch current test 15.6; Table 15.3
Class II equipment 11.2
definition Chap 2
frequency of inspection and testing Table 7.1
insulation resistance Table 15.2
protective conductor/touch current test 15.6; Table 15.3
Class III equipment 11.3
definition Chap 2
insulation resistance Table 15.2
protective conductor/touch current test Table 15.3
clearance distance 11.1.2
combined inspection and testing Chap 15; 6.4; 7.2; Table 7.1
appliance flexes 15.12
appliance lead sets 15.9
damaged or faulty equipment 15.8
earth continuity testing 15.4
equipment with high protective conductor currents 15.11
extension leads 15.10.1
frequency of inspection and testing 7.4; Table 7.1
insulation resistance testing 15.5
multiway adaptors 15.10.3
plug fuses 15.13
preliminary inspection 15.1
RCD adaptors 15.10.3
requirements 15.3
safe working practices Chap 15
sequence of testing 15.3
unlocated equipment 15.14
combustible dust: see hazardous locations
commercial kitchens Table 7.1
competent person Chap 2
see also test operatives
computer equipment: see IT equipment
connections Appx III.6; Appx VII.1
construction sites Table 7.1
contact resistance 10.3
cooking appliances Table 15.2 n1
creepage path 11.1.2
crocodile clips 10.3
cross-sectional areas
appliance flexes Table 15.6
extension leads Table 15.4
current-using equipment Chap 2

D
damaged equipment 4.4; 8.5; 15.8
recurring damage 7.3; 7.4

Code of Practice for in-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment 144
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 Index

register Appx V.5

user checks Chap 13
danger, definition Chap 2
dielectric strength testing 6.3; 15.3
direct contact Chap 2
disconnection: see isolation of installation
documentation Appx V; 8.3
equipment registers 8.3; Appx V.1
faulty equipment Appx V.5
model forms Appx V
repair register 8.3; Appx V.4
responsibilities 9.3
test instruments 10.5; Appx V.6
test records 8.3; Appx V.2
double insulation Chap 2
duty-holders 1.1.2; 1.1.4
responsibilities 7.3; 8.3; 9.3
risk-based assessments 7.1.1

E
earth, definition Chap 2
earth continuity testing 10.3; 15.4
earthing
definition Chap 2
equipment with high protective conductor currents 15.11
protective 11.1
regulations Appx III.5
Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 3.1.8
electrical equipment, definition Chap 2
electrical installation, definition Chap 2
electric blankets 15.13
electric drills 15.6
Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 Appx III; 3.1.4; Appx II.2
frequency of inspection and testing 7.3
maintenance of equipment 3.3; 8.1
training 9.1
electric shock Chap 2; 5.3
electric strength tests
see also insulation resistance testing
EMC filters 15.11; Table 15.2 n
emergency stopping 14.3.3
emergency switching 14.3.3
enclosure, definition Chap 2
equipment labels Appx V.3
equipment registers 8.3
model form Appx V.1; Appx V.5
test instruments 10.5; Appx V.6
equipment types 1.2
explosive atmospheres: see hazardous locations
exposed-conductive-part Chap 2
extension leads 4.3; 5.8; 15.10.1
cross-sectional areas Table 15.4
earth continuity resistance Table 15.1
maximum length Appx VII.3; Table 15.4
user checks Table 13.1
visual inspection Appx VII.3
extra-low voltage: see nominal voltage

Code of Practice for in-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment 145
© The Institution of Engineering and Technology
 Index

F
fault, definition Chap 2
fault protection Chap 2
faulty equipment 8.5; 15.8
register Appx V.5
fixed electrical installations Chap 4
fixed equipment Chap 2
fixed equipment/appliances 5.5
flash testing: see dielectric strength testing
flexible cables 15.12
definition Chap 2
length 4.3
resistances Appx VI.1
user checks Table 13.1
visual inspection Appx VII.2
see also lead sets
formal visual inspection Chap 14; 7.2; Table 7.1
frequency 7.4; Table 7.1
forms: see documentation
frequency of inspection and testing Chap 4; 7.3; 7.4
functional checks 15.7
functional switching 14.3.1
fuses Appx VII.1
definition Chap 2
plug 15.13
ratings 14.1; 15.13
user checks 14.5

G
no entries

H
hand-held appliances/equipment Chap 2; 5.3
frequency of inspection and testing 7.3
protective conductor/touch current test Table 15.3
hazard, definition Chap 2
hazardous locations 4.5; 14.2; Appx III.3
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 3.1.1; 3.3; Appx II.1
Health and Safety Executive: see HSE publications
health and safety legislation Appx II
heating appliances Table 15.2 n1; Table 15.3
high protective conductor currents 15.11
hi-pot testing: see dielectric strength testing
hired equipment 16.3; Table 7.1 n6
hotels Table 7.1; Table 7.1 n5,6
houses in multiple occupation (HMO) 3.1.6
definition Chap 2
Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 3.1.7
Housing Act 2004 (England and Wales) 3.1.6
Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) 3.1.6
HSE publications Appx IV.4
GS38: Electrical test equipment for use by electricians Chap 15; 10.1.3; Appx IV.3
HSR25: Memorandum of Guidance on the Electricity
at Work Regulations 8.3; Appx IV.1

I
IET Guidance Notes
2: Isolation & Switching Appx VIII

Code of Practice for in-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment 146
© The Institution of Engineering and Technology
 Index

3: Inspection & Testing Chap 4; Appx IV.3

indirect contact Chap 2
industrial equipment Table 7.1
Ingress Protection (IP) code Chap 2
inspection frequency Chap 4; 7.3
inspections: see combined inspection and testing; formal visual inspection
inspectors: see test operatives
instructed person Chap 2
insulation, definition Chap 2
insulation-encased Class II 11.2
insulation resistance testing 10.2; 10.4; 15.3; 15.5
IT and similar equipment 15.5; Table 15.2 n3
IP (Ingress Protection) code Chap 2
isolating transformers 11.3
isolation of installation Chap 2; Appx VIII
for maintenance 14.3.2
regulations Appx II.4.7; Appx III.7
for testing Chap 15
IT equipment 5.7
disconnection for inspection 15.1
earth continuity testing 15.4
insulation resistance testing 15.5; Table 15.2 n3
protective conductor/touch current test 15.6
switching off for maintenance 14.3.2

J
no entries

K
kettles 15.6

L
labelling 8.4
damaged or faulty equipment 15.8; Appx V.3
equipment with high protective conductor currents 15.11
laptop computer power supply units (PSUs) 15.4; 15.5
lead sets Chap 2; 15.9; 15.12
earth continuity testing Table 15.1
visual inspection Appx VII.2
leakage current Chap 2
leakage test 10.2; 10.4
leased equipment 16.3
legislation Chap 3; Appx II; Appx IV
live part Chap 2
live working Chap 15; Appx III.9
locations of increased risk: see hazardous locations
low voltage: see nominal voltage
luminaires Chap 2; Table 13.1

M
maintenance
isolation and switching off 14.3.2
regulations 3.1.5; 3.4; Appx II.4.2; Appx II.4.8
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 3.1.2; Appx II.3
managers’ responsibilities 1.1.4; 9.3
manufacturer’s testing 6.2; 6.3
means of earthing Chap 2; 4.1
medical electrical equipment 1.2.1

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metal-encased Class II 11.2; 11.2.7

mixed use locations 7.3
movable appliances/equipment 5.2
movable equipment Chap 2
see also portable appliances/equipment
multimeters 10.1.3
multiway adaptors 5.9; 15.10.3; Table 15.1
multiway extension leads 4.3; 15.10.1

N
new equipment/appliances 16.1
nominal voltage Chap 2
non-flexible cables Appx VII.2

O
offices Table 7.1
ohmmeters 10.3
optical fibre systems 15.1
ordinary person, definition Chap 2
outdoor equipment 4.2; 15.10.1

P
PAT (portable appliance test) instrument Chap 2
personnel, responsibilities and training Chap 9
petrol filling stations 4.5
phases 1.4
plug-in portable RCD devices 4.2
plugs
formal visual inspection 14.5
fuses 15.13; Appx VII.1
user checks Table 13.1
visual inspection Appx VII.1
portable appliances/equipment Chap 2; 5.1
protective conductor/touch current test Table 15.3
used outdoors 4.2; 15.10.1
see also hand-held appliances/equipment
portable appliance test (PAT) instruments Chap 2; 10.2
portable RCD devices 4.2
premises 1.3
production testing (manufacturer’s) 6.3
protective conductor current Chap 2
protective conductor current test 10.2; 10.4; 15.3; 15.6
protective conductors Chap 2
nominal resistances Appx VI
protective earthing 11.1
see also earth continuity testing
Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations
(PUWER) 1998 3.1.3; 3.3; 3.4; Appx II.4
public used equipment Table 7.1
children’s rides Table 7.1 n3
PUWER: see Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER)

Q
no entries

R
RCD (residual current device) Chap 2
RCD adaptors 4.2; 5.9; 15.10.3

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earth continuity resistance Table 15.1

user checks Table 13.1
RCD extension leads 5.8; 15.10.2
RCD-protected socket outlets Table 15.5
RCD protection 4.2
record keeping: see documentation
recurring damage 7.3; 7.4
register of equipment: see equipment registers
reinforced insulation Chap 2
Class I equipment 11.1
Class II equipment 11.2.2; 11.2.5; 11.2.7
repaired equipment, testing 6.5
repairers, training and experience 9.6
repair register 8.3; Appx V.4
residual current device: see RCD (residual current device)
residual operating current 4.2
resilient plugs Appx VII.1
resistances, protective conductors Appx VI
responsibilities 3.3
for documentation 9.3
test supervisor’s Appx III.11.4
users 1.1.1; 8.6; 9.2
risk, definition Chap 2
risk assessment Chap 2; 7.1.1; Appx II.3; Appx II.4.3
rotating/moving machines 15.6

S
safety extra-low voltage: see SELV (separated extra-low voltage)
safe working practices Chap 15; Appx III.9–Appx III.11
see also health and safety legislation
schools Table 7.1; Table 7.1 n4,6
second-hand equipment/appliances Chap 2; 16.1
separated extra-low voltage (SELV) Chap 2; 11.3
shops Table 7.1
skilled person Chap 2
SMPS (switched mode power supply) 15.4; 15.5
socket-outlets
definition Chap 2
number 4.3
outdoors 4.2
RCD adaptors 4.2; 5.9
RCD-protected Table 15.5
replacement 4.4
user checks Table 13.1
‘soft’ test 10.2; 15.4; 15.6
soldering irons 15.13
SPD (surge protective devices) Chap 2; 5.10; 15.5
standby power supplies 14.3.3
stationary equipment/appliances Chap 2; 5.4
supervisor’s responsibilities Appx III.11.4
supplementary insulation Chap 2
Class I equipment 11.1.3
Class II equipment 11.2.1; 11.2.4; 11.2.6
surge protective devices (SPD) Chap 2; 5.10; 15.5
switched mode power supply (SMPS) 15.4; 15.5
switching of equipment 14.3
see also isolation of installation

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T
telecommunications equipment, isolation 14.3.2; 15.1
test equipment 8.2
testing categories 7.2
testing frequency Chap 4; 7.3
testing sequence 15.3
test instruments Chap 10
accuracy 10.3; 10.5
equipment registers 10.5; Appx V.6
test lamps 10.1.3
test lead resistance 10.3
test leads 10.1.3
test operatives Chap 15; 1.1.3
training and experience 9.5; Appx III.11
test probes 10.1.3
test records: see documentation
test supervisor’s responsibilities 9.3; Appx III.11.4
thermocouple effects 10.3
three-phase equipment 1.4; 10.2.1; Table 15.2 n5
touch current Chap 2
touch current test 10.2; 10.4; 15.3; 15.6
training Chap 9; Appx II.4.6; Appx III.11
transformers: see isolating transformers
transient suppression devices Table 15.2 n6
transportable equipment: see movable equipment

U
unearthed metal Table 15.1 n5
Class I equipment 11.1.3; 11.1.4
Class II equipment 11.2.4; 11.2.5; 11.2.6; 11.2.7
uninterruptible power supplies 14.3.3
unlocated equipment 15.14
user checks Chap 13; 6.4; 7.2
user feedback 14.4
user responsibilities 1.1.1; 8.6; 9.2
user training 9.2; Appx II.4.6

V
visual inspection Chap 14; Appx VII; 6.4; 7.2
frequency 7.4; Table 7.1
see also user checks
voltage, nominal Chap 2
voltage indicators 10.1.3
voltages 1.4
voltmeters 10.1.3

W
Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment Regulations 2006
(WEEE directive) 3.1.9
work equipment 3.1.3; Appx II.4.3
Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 3.1.5

XYZ
no entries

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