Answers City and Guilds 2391 December 2009 Exam

Section A- All questions carry equal marks. Answer all twenty questions
1. Electrical installations require inspection and testing throughout their working life. State
three separate occasions when inspection and testing must be undertaken, excluding periodic
inspection.
Pg 15 - New installations, additional work, alterations, minor works
2. State three items of information that are required by a person undertaking the inspection
and test of an installation, excluding information contained on diagrams, charts or tables.
Pg18 - Maximum demand in amperes, number and type of live conductors, type of earthing
arrangement, the nominal voltage and frequency, prospective fault current and Ze external
earth fault loop impedance, the type and rating of the protective device.
3. State the legal status for each of the following documents.
a)GS38 non-statutory
b)GN3 non-statutory
c)B S 7671 non statutory
4. State three different practical situations that may require the use of the sense of touch
during the inspection process.
Pg 27-32 Feel for excessive heat from circuit breakers or pvc/pvc cable. Feel for loose bolts
connecting sections of cable trays, feel exposed bonding cable and clamps for tightness.
5. List three items to be checked, as identified on the Schedule of Inspections, where fault
protection is provided by automatic disconnection of supply (ADS).
Pg 22 & 92 Check for presence of Main bonding, earthing, circuit protective conductors, choice
and setting of protective devices
6. State three requirements for test probes and/or leads as required by GS38
No more than 4mm exposed tip of probe 2mm preferred, finger guards, fused test probe, leads
long enough for safe use, leads in good order – no obvious damage
7. State the correct instrument for conducting each of the following tests.
a)Continuity of ring final circuits. Low resistance ohmmeter pg 82-84
b)External earth fault loop impedance on a TN system. Earth fault loop impedance tester
c)Earth electrode resistance for a generator installation. Earth electrode resistance tester
8. State why, for safety reasons,
a) inspection must take place before testing Hazards such as exposed live parts, dangerous
methods of erection and unexpected and dangerous environmental conditions
b) BS 7671 identifies a sequence of tests to be followed before the installation is energised If
protective conductor continuity is not confirmed then because this could be a break or a loose
connection there would be no point in insulation testing as this would not go beyond the break
c) the installation polarity is checked when the supply is connected for the first time. the supplier
polarity could be reversed or the electrician may incorrectly connect the tails in reverse.
9. List three different protective conductors that may be present in an electrical installation.
Earthing conductor, supplementary bonding conductor, main protective bonding conductor
10. State the effect each of the following would have on the measured resistance of a
conductor.
a)Increase in length. Increase resistance
b)Decrease in CSA. Increase resistance
c)Increase in temperature. Increase resistance
11 State
d)a) two test methods to verify the continuity of protective conductors. Method 1 connect the line
R1 to the cpc R2 at the distribution board and measure resistance at the end of the
circuit between R1 and R2. Method 2 Wander lead method
e)b) the test instrument to be used to conduct the tests in a) above. Low resistance ohmeter
12 List three items that would be recorded on a Schedule of Test Results, on completion of
a fault-free ring final circuit continuity test. Resistance of R1&R2, End to End resistance of R1,
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Rn and R2 and polarity would be confirmed.
13 The following results were recorded at Stage 1 of a fault-free ring final circuit continuity
test.
Line 0.36 Ω
Neutral 0.35 Ω
Cpc 0.59 Ω
State
a)why the resistance of the cpc is greater than the resistance of the line and neutral conductors
the greater resistance of the cpc is due to its smaller csa.
b)the expected value of resistance at Stage 3, when the line and cpc are correctly
interconnected at the distribution board r1+r2/4 = .36+.59/4 = .95/4 = 0.24 Ω
c)the pattern of results in b) above if the line and cpc were incorrectly interconnected at the
distribution board. Progressive increase in resistance to midpoint then decreasing
toward other end of ring. Look at the bottom of page 36 in gn3, not sure what you mean
as a ring in the distribution has ends, anyway its gn3 quote, check it out
14 A lighting circuit has been securely isolated from the supply. State three actions which
must be carried out to prepare the circuit before carrying out an insulation resistance test
between live conductors.pg Disconnect any loads, all switches on, bypass or remove any
voltage sensitive equipment and pilot lamps It says the protective device has been turned off
for just that lighting circuit so not sure what the point is of saying all protective devices on as in
this case it’s a dead test on that circuit turned off from a live supply
15 State the minimum acceptable value of insulation resistance for each of the following.
a)400 V three-phase compressor. 1M Ω
b)650 V three-phase kiln. 1M Ω
c)12 V SELV lighting circuit. 0.5M Ω
16 List three special installations/locations identified in Part 7 of BS 7671 :2008 excluding;
locations containing a bath or shower, saunas, swimming pools and fountains. Restricted
movement in Conducting locations, caravans, underfloor heating, marinas, circus
18 An earth electrode resistance test is to be carried out using an earth electrode resistance
tester. State the recommended pg 46&47
a)soil conditions during testing At their driest to record highest resistance.
b)distance between an earth electrode which is 3 m in length, and the furthest test spike 30m
c)minimum number of test readings required. 3 readings and record the average
19 State
a) the maximum test current to be applied to a 500 mA RCD 1x = 500mA
b)why the test button on an RCD should be operated quarterly verifies operation of mechanical
parts of the RCD are functional
c)at what other time should the test button on an RCD be operated. At initial verification or
Periodic inspection and Test
20 A prospective fault current test is to be carried out on a single phase electrical
installation. State
a)the two tests which are to be undertaken Test between the line and neutral for the maximum
PSCC and between the line and earth for the maximum PEFC
b)which value from a) above will be recorded as the PFC. The highest value above

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 Answers City and Guilds 2391 December 2009 Exam

Section B – All questions carry equal marks. Answer all six questions. Show all calculations

Question 21 to 26 all refer to the following scenario.

A multi-level underground car park operating 24 hours a day has undergone a complete re-wire
of the lighting installation within the car parking areas and stair wells. A new ring final circuit has
also been installed in the office area. The car park is to remain operational whilst work takes
place, and all relevant documentation for the new and existing installations is to be issued on
completion of the work.
The electrical installation forms part of a 400/230 V three-phase four wire TN-S system, with an
external earth fault loop impedance value of 0.4 Ω.
A new TP&N distribution board fitted with BS EN 60898 type C circuit breakers has been
installed for the new lighting circuits. The new fluorescent luminaires are surface mounted. The
ground floor luminaires are controlled by a photocell, and the remaining luminaires are
controlled solely by the circuit breakers.
The installation is carried out in multicore steel wire armoured cables, having 70° C
thermoplastic insulation cables with 2.5 mm2 copper conductors. These cables are clipped direct
to cable tray throughout the installation. One of the cores of the cable is used as the cpc.
The ring final circuit is wired in thermoplastic insulated single core copper cables which are
installed in surface mounted pvc trunking and conduit.
CSA(mm2) Conductor resistance (m Ω /m)

1.5 12.1

2.5 7.41

21 State
a)the two types of inspection and test required for this installation Initial Verification and
Alterations and Additions Not sure if this is right, do you agree, I think you have to do
additional because you should look at things like existing earthing, bonding etc.
b)all the documents that need to be completed following the inspection and testing in a) above
Electrical Inspection Certificate, Schedule of Inspection and Schedule of Test Results
c)three characteristics of the supply that would need to be recorded on the documents in b)
above Type of earthing system, number and type of live wires, Nominal voltage pg18
d)who is responsible for recommending the period to the subsequent inspection and tests. The
designer pg 19 gn3 and BS7671
22 Describe, in detail, how an insulation resistance test would be carried out on one of the
completed ground floor lighting circuits. Your answer should at least include
• initial safety considerations
• circuit preparation
• test procedure
• instrument to be used
• minimum acceptable value of insulation resistance
• test voltage to be applied
• final safety considerations.

The person testing must ensure that the test instruments have been;
Checked there is no damage
Checked that the instruments battery is in a good healthy condition
Checked that the test leads are not damaged, frayed, and that they comply with GS38
Standards, have finger guards, and that exposed tips do not exceed 2mm or 4mm if protected
by retractable shroud

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The person undertaking the testing must ensure the safety of him or herself and of others and
livestock.
The tester must ensure these isolation procedures are followed.

• Permission is sought to begin the testing from the client, owner, occupier
• Before starting testing, persons in the vicinity are informed of the testing about to
commence.
• Warning notices, barriers and obstacles are in place
• The circuit is safely isolated/switched off at the distribution board
• The circuit is LOCKED OFF and the locking key is retained, and the warning notice
tagged. If the isolation device involves the removal of a fuse, it must be kept with the
person testing.
• Using an approved voltage tester, prove test instrument is working.
• Using the test instrument, test that the circuit is “dead”.
• Using an approved voltage tester, prove test instrument is working.

Disconnect any loads, all switches on, bypass or remove any voltage sensitive equipment such
as the photocell and pilot lamps which may be damaged or effect the test results. Warn client of
test to take place and post notices.

Test line to neutral at the distribution board and operate all switches and record the highest
reading. Test line to cpc at the distribution board and operate all switches and record the
highest reading.

The instrument is an insulation resistance tester, test voltage is 500vdc and insulation
resistance not less than 1Mohm any reading less than 2Mohm should be investigated.

After test Re-instate all connections and equipment, remove all bypasses and inform client
about restoring power and re-instate power safely as in bullet points above.
23. State five items to be checked during the inspection, which relate specifically to the
erection of the SWA cable in the car parking areas, excluding the construction of the cable tray
system. Adequately supported and fixed, bending radii within limits, not to tight, termination of
glands is correct, earthing via bolted earth tags with paint scraped away for metal to metal
contact, shrouds on glands.
24. A continuity of ring final circuit conductors test is to be carried out on a circuit in the car
park. The circuit is wired in 2.5 mm2 cable with a 2.5 mm2 cpc. The loop length of the cable is
18m. All socket outlets are connected directly on the ring.
Using the information given in Figure 1, explain, in detail, the three steps required to confirm
correct installation and connection of the circuit.
Your explanation should include the test instrument and, at each step, the test connections and
the expected readings.
Show all calculations.
• Step 1-3 all require the use of a low resistance ohmmeter the can measure accurately to
0.2ohms with a resolution of 0.01ohms. The following diagram will show the connections
necessary and the expected readings are below.
• These are dead tests so the circuit will have already been isolated.
• The meter needs to be checked for healthy batteries that it has no damage and complies
to GS38 standard
• The meter leads should be nulled or zeroed to take account of the resistance of the leads
• Since the csa of all cables are the same the calculations regarding the expected reading
in Steps 2 and 3 will be the same.
• When carrying out Steps 2 and 3 every socket must be measured and the socket that
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 Answers City and Guilds 2391 December 2009 Exam

has the highest reading for R1 and R2 can be noted down for reference and comparison.
For Step 3 find the highest reading after measuring every socket and record as R1 + R2
on the Schedule of Test Results.
Calculations
• Step 1 all conductors same csa 2.5mm2. 18m x .00741Ω= 0.13 Ω for R1, Rn and R2
each measured end to end
• Step 2 .= R1+Rn/4= 0.13+0.13/4 = 0.065 Ω should be the result at every socket
• Step 3 = R1+R2/4= 0.13+o.13/4 = 0.065 Ω should be the result at every socket

25.
a) Determine the expected value for Z s for one of the lighting circuits where the ambient
temperature is 20°C and the circuit length is 35 m. 35m x .00741 Ω per meter =0.26 Ω
pg51 Zs= Ze+(R1+R2) = 0.4+(0.26+0.26)= 0.4+0.52= 0.92 Ω
b)Explain why the measured value of Z s is likely to be less than the value determined in a)
above. The calculated value does not take into account multiple parallel earth paths
c)Determine the maximum acceptable measured value for Z s if the BS7671 tabulated value is
1.44 Ω. Zs x 0.8 rule of thumb = 1.44 x 0.8 = 1.15 Ω
d)State the two conditions that are compensated for in c) above. 80% Rule of thumb
compensates for the increase in temperature due to load current which increases the
resistance of the cable and the 80% also accounts for parallel earth paths.

26. Draw a fully labelled diagram showing the complete earth fault loop path for one of the
new lighting circuits installed in the car park. The diagram should identify the correct
system, the complete fault path and all the component parts of the earth fault loop.

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