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l3 - 304-07 - Handout - Continuity Ring 2018

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30 views3 pages

l3 - 304-07 - Handout - Continuity Ring 2018

Uploaded by

yousef mansour
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Level 3 Diploma in Electrical Installations (Buildings and Structures) Unit 304 Handout 7

304: Electrical Installations: inspection, testing and commissioning


Handout 7: Continuity testing - ring final circuit conductors
Learning outcome
The learner will:
5. Understand the requirements for testing before circuits are energised.
Assessment criteria
The learner can:
5.2 state the methods for verifying continuity to include:
a) Protective conductors
b) Ring final circuit conductors.

Continuity testing - ring final circuit conductors (643.2.1 – page 232)

Regulation 643.2.1 of BS 7671:2018 states “The continuity of conductors and connections to


exposed-conductive-parts and extraneous-conductive-parts, if any, shall be verified by a
measurement of resistance on: protective conductors and in the case of ring final circuits, live
conductors” (page 232).

The initial purpose of the test is to prove that each conductor of the ring actually forms a ring and is
continuous. The test also determines if the ring has been interconnected to form a figure-of-eight
circuit that could have breaks in it but gives the impression of being a complete ring.

To carry out the following tests use a low-resistance ohmmeter.

© 2018 City and Guilds of London Institute. All rights reserved Page 1 of 3
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Level 3 Diploma in Electrical Installations (Buildings and Structures) Unit 304 Handout 7
Step 1: Ring continuity
Mark up the ends of the ring final circuit conductors
as L1, N1, E1, L2, N2 and E2, as shown right.
Measure the end to end resistance of each ring
separately.
The resistances for L1-L2, N1-N2 and E1-E2 loops
are referred to respectively as r1, rn and r2.
A low reading confirms that there is no open circuit
on the ring conductors under test. The resistance
values should be substantially the same (within
0.05Ω) if the conductors are the same size.
If the protective conductor has a reduced CSA the
resistance r2 of the protective conductor will be
proportionally higher than that of the line and neutral
loops, eg 1.67 times for 2.5/1.5mm2 cable.
If these relationships are not achieved, then either
the conductors are incorrectly identified or there is
something wrong at one or more of the terminations
in the accessories.

© 2018 City and Guilds of London Institute. All rights reserved Page 2 of 3
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Level 3 Diploma in Electrical Installations (Buildings and Structures) Unit 304 Handout 7
Step 2: Socket outlets (line-neutral)
Link together N1 to L2, N2 to L1 at the distribution
board, as shown right, and test between line and
neutral at each socket outlet, noting the readings in
each case.
The readings obtained from all those sockets wired
into the ring will be substantially the same (within
0.05Ω) and will represent (R1 + Rn). Any sockets
wired as spurs will have a proportionally higher
resistance value corresponding to the length of the
spur cable.
Step 3: Ring continuity R1+R2 value
Link together E1 to L2, E2 to L1 at the distribution
board, as shown right, and test between line and
CPC at each socket outlet, noting the readings in
each case.
The readings at each socket outlet should be
substantially the same (within 0.05Ω) and will
represent (R1 + R2). Any sockets wired as spurs will
have a proportionally higher resistance value
corresponding to the length of the spur cable.

This value will be approximately one-quarter of the resistance of the line loop plus CPC loop
resistances, i.e. (r1 + r2 .) This reading will also be the value of (R +R ) needed to verify the
1 2
4
calculated value of line earth loop impedance, Zs.

Using the values in the diagrams above:

The highest value recorded represents the maximum (R1 + R2) of the circuit and is recorded on the
test result schedule and can be used to determine the earth loop impedance Zs of the circuit, to
verify compliance with the loop impedance requirements of BS 7671:2018.
This sequence of tests verifies the polarity of each socket and dispenses with the need for a
separate protective conductor continuity test.
Guidance Note 3 explains the maths for step 2 (page 43) and this should be consulted to gain a
fuller understanding of how this test works.

© 2018 City and Guilds of London Institute. All rights reserved Page 3 of 3

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