The write stuff

How to fill in the forms The basic elements to consider when filling in the forms are as follows:

For design, construction and inspection & test: These sections should be completed and signed by those responsible for each section of the work. The amendment date of BS 7671 must be added and any departures from the standard must be indicated.

Next inspection: Insert the recommended date of next inspection here. Supply characteristics and earthing arrangements: The four headings explain the information required: Earthing arrangement, Number and type of live conductors, Nature of supply parameters and Supply protective device characteristic.

Particulars referred to on certificate: Again, particulars relevant to the headings in this section should be inserted under; Method of protection against indirect contact, Means of earthing, Maximum demand, Main protective conductors and Main switch or circuit breaker.

Comments on existing installation: For alterations or additions add any comments on the existing installation which are important to know.

Schedules: Test results and any inspection lists should be enclosed with the certificate and noted down in this section.

See Regulation 744-01-01.

Purpose for which the report is required: Enter either routine inspection or details of any requests made by the client.

Details of the installation: Fill in the details of the occupier of the premises, a brief description of the installation and the address of the premises inspected. Tick the appropriate box or describe the premises. Then estimate the age of the installation and insert your best estimate of the age of the original installation. Fill in any alterations that may have been carried out since the last inspection.

Extent and limitations of the inspection: The installation inspected may only be part of a larger installation. Briefly describe the extent. Under the limitations headline you must explain that it is neither practical nor possible to inspect the installation and that a sampling process will be employed (see IEE Guidance Note 3).

Next inspection: The recommended period between inspections should be inserted here (IEE Guidance Note 3) but regard must be paid to relevant national legislation and local conditions of licence.

Supply characteristics and earthing arrangements: The four sections (Earthing arrangements, Number and type of live conductors, Nature of supply parameters and Supply protective device characteristics) each require filling.

Particulars referred to on certificate: Again, fill in the sections. For Method of protection against indirect contact either tick EEBADOS (Earthed Equipotential Bonding And Automatic Disconnection Of Supply) or, include the necessary details with the certificate. Maximum demand is the designer's estimation of the maximum load demand of the installation expressed in amps per phase and takes into account diversity. Details of installation earth electrode and the main protective conductors should be completed as necessary. And, finally in this section, main switch or circuit breaker needs all entries completing, adding details of rcd where it is part of the main circuit breaker.

Observations and recommendations: Detail them and assign in category 1-4 as appropriate, see below.

1. Requires urgent attention – List details of departures from current edition of BS 7671 and other defects.

2. Requires improvement – Provide detail of defects which require bringing up to standard.

3. Further investigation is required – It may not be possible to complete the inspection within the agreed resources. If this happens recommend further investigation.

4. Does not comply with BS 7671: 1992. Detail areas of installation that are safe to use but which do not comply with BS 7671: 1992.

Schedules: Input details of test sheets, inspections etc that were completed.

Description and extent of installation: Briefly describe the installation and the extent and limitation of the certificated work. Tick as appropriate the box for either new installation, addition to an existing installation or alteration to an existing installation.

Design, construction, inspection and testing: This section should be completed and signed by the individual responsible for the work. The relevant BS 7671 amendment date should be added.

Supply characteristics and earthing arrangements: Voltage – Add the supply voltage to earth (Uo) and supply frequency (Hz). The prospective fault current must be recorded, and is the larger of the short circuit current and earth fault current. The external earth fault loop impedance (Ze) should be recorded and is measured or determined by enquiry.

Particulars of installation referred to in this certificate: Method of protection against indirect contact is pre-ticked. The certificate can only be used for normal EEBADOS. Maximum demand is the designer's estimate of the maximum load demand of the installation. Main switch or circuit breaker requires all entries to be filled, as does Main protective conductors. Details of the Sub-main and Distribution board should be filled in. When filling in the Distribution board details, don't add external readings.

Installed circuit details: A – add circuit reference. B – describe the circuit ie ring, socket-outlets. At the top of columns C & D add short circuit breaking capacity of overcurrent device. C – add the type of protection device. For fuse add the BS Number. For circuit breaker add sensitivity type 1, 2, 3, 4, or B, C or D. D – add the current rating of protective device. E is an optional column, add the installed reference method from appendix 4 of BS 7671. F – add live and neutral conductor size. If reduced neutral add to remarks column. G – add the cpc size. Optionally, for armoured cables, add cross sectional area of armour in mm. If not swa add the material type.

Test results: H – add the maximum value obtained from method used to check continuity at all points on circuit and delete R1 + R2 or R2 as appropriate.

J, K and L are ring continuity only. J – add open phase/phase resistance. K – add open neutral/neutral resistance. L – add open cpc/cpc resistance.

M – test between phase conductors and phase to neutral and record the minimum. For three-phase circuits test R to Y B N then Y to B N and B to N and record the lowest value measured from the tests. Record only the minimum value measured. N – test phase to earth and neutral to earth either together or separately and record the minimum. For three-phase circuits test R Y B & N together to earth and record the minimum. P – tick when polarity at all points has been checked. R is the earth fault loop impedance. Either add Ze at incomer (distribution board) to the R1 + R2 value or measure at remote part of circuit. Record the maximum value measured.

S, check rcd trip time at normal rate current setting only. T, tick this column after checks are made including; assemblies, switchgear/control gear, drives, controls and interlocks to show they are properly mounted, adjusted and installed in accordance with BS 7671: 1992. See 713-12-02.

V – add any relevant remarks to each circuit.

Distribution board: Add details – Zs and prospective fault current are measured at the distribution board.

Installed circuit details: This section, and the following one, Test results, are exactly the same as those on the Form for electrical installation certificate (BS 7671: 1992) small installations – follow those instructions.

3. Protective device for modified circuit – add the BS number and type of protective device and list its rating.

Essential tests: Complete these minimum essential tests including the installation phase to neutral test only where practical. Instruments used: List all instruments used while testing. Declaration: Sign and date as necessary.