METHOD STATEMENT ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION (Small Power & Lighting) TESTING

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Scope/objective
2. References
3. Access/Egress
4. Health and safety Hazards

a. Safety Rules during testing
b. Safety lighting
c. Task lighting
d. Emergency arrangements
• General
• Fire Precautions
• Communication
e. Risks Control
• Hazards/Risks
• 3rd Party Protection
• Environmental Considerations

5. Definitions
6. Responsibilities/supervision
7. Procedures/Method to be Employed
8. Training
9. Working hours
10. House keeping
11. Manpower Requirements & Supervision
12. Testing Instruments Requirements
13. Plant & Equipment

a. General
b. Plant and equipment schedule
c. Personnel Protective Equipment
d. Power
e. Working Platforms

14. Q.C Approvals and other Documentation
15. Supporting Documentation
16. Distribution
17. Other Information
18. Site Safety Engineers Approval
19. Attachments

1.0 Revision Status
Revision
No Date Prepared
By Reviewed
By Arabtech Approved
Revision
Description

1
16 April 05
D.SAVVA

S.GEORGIOU
K.MARNERIDES
M.PICKUP

1.0 SCOPE / OBJECTIVE

This method statement covers the testing of the electrical installation [insulation resistance test, polarity test and RCD testing] and describes the procedures used to ensure that the electrical installation (small power & lighting) is safe.

2.0 REFERENCES

2.1 Shop Drawings ref:1505/A&P/SD/E, 1505/A&P/SD/PW & 1505/A&P/SD/LT, 1505/A&P/SD/FA
2.2 General Package- Scope of Work Electrical Specification Section 16005
2.3 General Requirements Electrical Specification Section 16010

3.0 ACCESS / EGRESS

Earth Continuity, Insulation Resistance and Polarity Test will commence after the completion of the installation of all the outgoing circuits of a final Distribution Board (small power & lighting). RCD testing will be carried out after the energization of MDB’s by DEWA.

Note: Area should be cleared of waste material or any other obstruction.

4.0 HEALTH AND SAFETY HAZARDS.

Health and Safety procedure by Main Contractor and by A&P will be implemented for this job. The responsible safety officer as per A&P procedure will conduct a routine safety inspection.

a. Safety Rules during testing:

In order to ensure safe conditions during testing the following rules have to be followed:

• Persons engaged with inspection and testing have to be skilled and have received proper and adequate training related to procedures and test equipment utilized for the particular testing activity.
• Test instruments and test leads should be maintained in a safe condition and the test methods not to create danger either for the operator or for other persons or livestock.
• Where tests are required to circuits which have not to be energized, it is always necessary to prove that the circuit is ‘dead’ (switch off main supply & measure voltage by a calibrated multimeter ) before applying the test.
• Ensure that working area is barricaded and warning label is putted where persons are conducting testing on live electrical equipment.
• Ensure that all cables/conductors are discharged to earthing system after the test.

  b. Safety Lighting.

Safety lights will be used in case of power failure ensuring the good illumination of the working area to aid evacuation if necessary.

   c. Task Lighting.

Adequate lighting shall be provided to ensure the good illumination on the working area.

   d. Emergency Arrangements.

• General : Site general safety procedures will be followed. In case of emergency the Safety Officer or the most senior employee present will stop the work, and make the necessary emergency arrangements and report to the assembly points as described during Site Induction Course.

• Fire Precautions : No significant fire risks associated with this activity but general fire precaution measures will be taken as per Arabtec instructions to A&P.

• Communication : Communication from site areas to Site Office via mobile phones issued to senior foremen. In emergency situations the users of handheld 2-way radios to be notified if deemed that this can speed up notification of relevant personnel and/or the JBR01 Site Clinic.

e. Risk and Controls.

• Hazards / Risks
Relevant risk assessments (See section 19 Attachments):

• WAH-001 Ladders and Step Ladders.
• PRT-007 Hand Tools

• 3rd Party Protection: Applicable as per the contract only.

• Environmental Considerations: There are no waste materials associated with electrical installation testing.

5.0 DEFINITIONS

  ATC   -   Arabtec Construction (LLC.)
          A&P -     A&P Paraskevaides and Partners LLC.
  M.S. -    Method Statements.
          I.T.P-             Inspection & Testing Plan

6.0 RESPONSIBILITIES / SUPERVISION

6.1 Project Manager – will have the overall responsibility of the Project for execution, quality and safety. Also he will maintain the planning progress and coordination of works with Main Contractor.

6.2 Project Senior Electrical Engineer / Site Electrical Engineer – will be responsible for the day to day activities on site, for materials, drawings, testing & commissioning. The Project Senior Electrical Engineer will report to the Project Manager.

6.3 Supervisor – will be directly responsible for the day-to-day job/testing on site, for handling the technicians or any other staff assigned to his area.

6.4 Safety Officer – will be responsible for the Health and Safety aspects on site as per the Main Contractor and A&P Safety requirements.

6.5 QA/QC Department – will oversee the quality requirements and quality control measures for the Project in coordination with the Senior Electrical Engineer as outlined in the A&P QA Manual.

7.0 PROCEDURES / METHOD TO BE EMPLOYED.

Sequence of testing:

1. Continuity of protective conductor
2. Insulation resistance test
3. Polarity test
4. RCD testing.

Continuity of protective conductor:

1. Connect one terminal (by using a long extension test lead) of the continuity tester to the installation main earthing terminal.
2. With a test lead from the other terminal make contact with the protective conductors at various points on the circuit. E.g. luminaries, switches, spur outlets etc. and check if there is continuity of earthing conductor.
3. Use the same method as above to check bonding conductor (ex. kitchen wash basin) continuity.
4. Tabulate the results (pass/fail) of the test in2.0.07 TS01 (Electrical Installation Test Sheet ) a. Insulation resistance test:
5. Before testing disconnect :
   • All pilot or indicator lamps and capacitors if any in order to avoid obtaining a distorted test value for insulation.
   • All voltage-sensitive electronic equipment such as dimmer switches, touch switches, delay timers, power controllers, electronic starters for fluorescent lamps, emergency lighting, RCD’s, e.t.c.
6. Ensure that main switch is off and that all switches, circuit breakers are closed, lamps removed and other equipment disconnected.
7. After ensuring the above proceed with insulation resistance test for each outgoing circuit. Testing should be carried out at the origin of the installation (distribution board) and the circuit should be tested as a whole
   • Insulation resistance between phase/neutral conductors:

 Test (measure insulation resistance) between the phase/neutral conductors at the appropriate distribution board.

• Insulation resistance to earth:

 Single phase: test (measure insulation resistance) between phase and neutral separately to earth.
 Three Phase: test (measure insulation resistance) to earth from all phase conductor and neutral to earth.

DC test voltage to be used is shown in the following table:
DC TEST VOLTAGE (Refer to Table 71A of BS7671)
Ref. Type of circuit
Nominal Voltage Un(V) Test instrument output voltage (V)
A LV CIRCUIT Up to and including 500V 500

Note: Minimum insulation resistance is 0.5 MΩ. (Refer to Table 71A of BS7671)

4. Tabulate the results of the test in 2.0.07 TS01 (Electrical Installation Test Sheet )

b. Polarity test :

1. Isolate the supply from the installation.
2. Use a continuity test instrument connected to the outgoing way (at the distribution board) of the circuit under test with a long extension test lead connected to the test instrument and use the other test lead probe to test the various points of the circuit (e.g switches ,luminaries ,sockets) to verify that the polarity is correct.
3. Verify that all fuses and single-pole control and protective devices are connected in the phase conductor and that the phase connection in socket outlets and similar accessories is connected to the phase conductor.
4. Tabulate the results (pass/fail)of the test in 2.0.07 TS01 (Electrical Installation Test Sheet )

c. Residual current device checking :

RCD testing should be carried out after the energization of transformers/ MDB’s by DEWA because during testing the distribution board has to be energized.

The procedure to follow is:

1. Connect the test leads to the phase conductor on the load side of the RCD and the associate protective conductor again on the load side or use the test instrument fitted with a test plug and inserted into a convenient socket outlet.
2. Select appropriate function (t/I∆n x 0.5, t/I∆n x 1 or t/I∆n x 5)

 I∆n x 5 will be used only for RCD with I∆n up to 30mA.

4. Select appropriate nominal differential current I∆n (30 , 100 mA)
5. Press the start key and wait for the measurement to be completed.
6. For t/ I∆n x 0.5 check that it will not be tripping of the RCD.
7. For t/I∆n x 1 and t/I∆n x 5 read displayed result (trip out time) and tabulate the results of the test in 2.0.07 TS01 ( Electrical Installation Test Sheet)
8. After completing the test sequence listed above proceed with the testing of the effectiveness of the test button. (When pushing the button the RCD should open immediately).

Notes:
• For a leakage current flowing equivalent to 100% of the rated tripping current (I∆n) of the RCD, the device should open in less than 200ms.
• For a leakage current flowing equivalent to I∆n of the RCD, the device should open in less than 40ms.

8.0 TRAINING

8.1 Tradesmen who will be used to perform the testing will be trained electricians. If deemed necessary specific team / individuals will undergo further training by the Production / Quality Assistance Department.

8.2 Toolbox talks will provide general training and awareness for each activity and also undergo further training by the Production / Quality Assistance Departments.

9.0 WORKING HOURS

Normal working hours: 7.00 a.m to 5.00 pm

10. HOUSE KEEPING

There are no waste materials arising from testing.

11. MANPOWER REQUIREMENT & SUPERVISION

For the testing of an electrical installation minimum two (2no) electricians are needed.

12. TEST INSTRUMENT REQUIREMENTS

• Insulation test instruments (calibrated).
• Continuity test instruments (calibrated).
• RCD test instrument (calibrated).

13. PLANT & EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS

a. General: Markers, screw drivers, pliers. Personnel Protective equipment: All personnel should wear at all time safety shoes, helmet and coverall.
b. Power: Single-phase normal power where it is needed.

14. Q.C. APPROVAL AND OTHER DOCUMENTATION
15. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
16. Shop drawings
17. Load Schedules
18. Test instruments/Manufacturers instruction manuals
19. DISTRIBUTION

• Main Contractor,
• Senior Electrical Engineer
• Q.C. Engineer
• Site Electrical Engineer
• Tower Health & Safety Officer

14. OTHER INFORMATION

Not applicable

18. SITE SAFETY ENGINEER’S APPROVAL
     Approved
     Approved, subject to the following notes/comments.

 Not approved – Reasons

Signed on behalf of ATC

19. ATTACHMENTS

• PRT-007 Hand Tools
• WAH-001 Ladders & Step ladders