Periodic electrical testing & inspection in industries is usually geared towards ensuring that all electrical installations in industries are good for continued use. All electrical installations weaken with age and use, which is why they should be inspected and tested regularly. These kinds of inspections should be done by a competent electrician particularly one that is registered. During the testing and inspection, the electrician will be checking the condition of the electrical installations against the required standards for safety and installations. After that, you will be issued with an Electrical Condition Report.
What it entails
Industrial periodic electrical testing and inspection entails checking on:
- The suitability of earthing and bonding
- The adequacy of the switchgear and the control gear
- The usefulness of sockets, switches and light fittings
- The type of wiring system in use and its condition
- Identifications and notices
- The degree of damage, wear and tear and other deteriorations
- Other changes in the use of the construction that may be unsafe for users or the factory in general
If anything hazardous or possibly dangerous is found during such inspections then the inspecting electrician will declare the entire electrical installation as unsatisfactory. This means that a corrective action is required with immediate effect to eliminate any risks that the industry being inspected is facing.
Its importance
Even though electricity is very important in the day-to-day operations of many businesses, we should not forget that it is potentially dangerous. A lot of energy is required to power a single building or even a small room, which means that many lives are at great risk continuously. If an electrical current that is strong enough passes through the body of a human being, it can kill them on the spot or cause them serious injuries.
The problem is that we cannot see electrical currents. We have cables hidden inside the walls of our workplaces while consumer units are usually locked up in cupboards. It is very easy to forget to check electrical installations for wear and tear as often as it is required, which is extremely risky. By checking the condition of cables, sockets, switches and other electrical accessories regularly, we can reduce the risk by a greater percentage.
Periodic electrical testing and inspections is not just about ensuring that industrial outlets and lighting fixtures are working as they should. It also entails the competent electrical inspector making efforts to check that all the electrical appliances and systems in use are properly installed and are in good working condition. He should check the wiring of the building too, for any potential weather damage or exposure to vermin. All electrical equipment are also inspected and tested to ensure that they are functioning properly, they are not straining the system and they are not short-circuiting.
This procedure is important to make sure that the business is enjoying on-going safety and continuous functioning of all its electrical systems. That is why it should be done on a regular basis.
The condition report
- The condition report will show the results of the testing and inspection. The findings here determine whether or not the installations are safe for use until the next inspection.
- It is in this report that the inspecting electrician will report any damage and wear and tear found, which could endanger the safety of industrial workers.
- The report can help find anything that might cause high temperatures and electrical shocks.
- The report will also show any parts of the installation that does not meet the latest IET wiring regulations.
- This is what will guide future testing and inspections as it shows the current state of installations at the time of the assessment.