Module 43
POLARITY AND IMPEDANCE TESTING
Note:
1.
This is a Live Working procedure. Approved protective equipment must be worn.
PURPOSE
The procedure detailed below is designed to detect:
2.
(a)
The correct continuity and connectivity of the network
(b)
Supply phase and neutral crossed
(c)
Supply neutral open circuit
(d)
Earth continuity (when applicable)
(e)
Phase rotation.
EQUIPMENT
Approved designs of:
.
(a)
Polarity Tester
(b)
Test lamp
(c)
Voltage Indicator
(d)
Earth probe set
(e)
Test lamp tester
(f)
Earth loop impedance tester
(g)
Phase rotation meter
GENERAL REQUIREMENT OF POLARITY TESTING
Safety Rule 8.1.6 requires that where work or testing involves either the initial connection of
a supply, or the re-arrangement of connecting cables to a consumer, the supply Shall not be
connected or re-connected until checks have been made at an appropriate point on the
System to ensure correct polarity at the supply terminals. Where necessary, in the case of
three-phase supplies, the phase rotation shall also be checked.
Regulation 25 of Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations (2002) (ESQCR)
requires that the distribution network operator (Electricity North West) does not make or
alter a connection of supply where he has reasonable grounds for believing that the
consumer's installation or a street electrical fixture or another distributor's network fails to
comply with the ESQCR or with the IEE Wiring Regulation (which are otherwise known as
BS7671).
Therefore if the polarity of the network is tested and found to be crossed it must be rectified
and un-crossed before it can be used to energise the supply to a consumer, a street
electrical fixture or another distributor's network.
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3.
SINGLE PHASE TERMINATION POLARITY TEST
Follow either the procedure detailed in Appendix A or Appendix B.
4.
THREE PHASE TERMINATION POLARITY TEST
Follow the procedure detailed in Appendix C.
5.
IDENTIFICATION AND TESTING OF NEUTRAL OF THE FOUR CORE PILC CABLE
5.1
Initially identify the neutral by the number of the core paper (or by the colour of the
paper on older cables).
5.2
Test for supply and confirm neutral core identification using the approved test lamps.
5.3
If the cable is Dead, the neutral shall be correctly identified as set out in CP606,
procedure B14.
5.4
In all cases connect the test lamp between the neutral and lead sheath no matter
whether the cable is Live or Dead.
If even the slightest glow is seen in the test lamp bulb act as follows:
(a) Stop the works and keep everyone away from the cable.
(b) Notify the Fault Desk.
The glow is caused by the presence of an unexplained voltage between the neutral
and the cable sheath. This may be due to a number of things such as:
 Out-of-balanced load
 Induced voltage
 A neutral fault
Do not restart work until the cause of the voltage has been investigated, identified and
the appropriate action has been confirmed.
6.
PHASE ROTATION TESTING
Follow the procedure detailed in Appendix D.
7.
EARTH LOOP IMPEDANCE TESTING
Follow the procedure detailed in Appendix E.
8.
EARTH ELECTRODE IMPEDANCE TESTING
Follow the procedure detailed in Appendix F.
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Module 43
APPENDIX A
TEST FOR CORRECT POLARITY OF A SINGLE PHASE TERMINATION USING A POLARITY
TESTER
IN PERFORMING THIS TEST:
1.
The polarity tester shall be confirmed to be working correctly using approved proving
device.
2.
If Electricity North West is providing a reliable earth, any Neutral – Earth bonding link in the
cutout must be temporarily disconnected, before the polarity test can be carried out.
2
Remove the fuse carrier, identify and temporarily disconnect consumer’s neutral and earth
wires - assume that the neutral/earth block is live.
4
Test to identify the live conductors by using polarity tester
5
Confirm the correct polarity by connecting the Polarity tester probe to:
5.1
The lower fuse base terminal (test pen should glow red and the buzzer will sound)
5.2
The neutral block (test pen should not glow red and the buzzer will not sound)
6.
Check Polarity Indicator is working by repeating 1. above
7.
If the test result indicate correct polarity work should continue to its conclusion.
8.
If the correct indications are not obtained then the situation must be reported to the Fault
Desk as a Cross Polarity Incident. The work in hand may then proceed, which must include
rectification of the cross polarity.
9.
After completing the required rectification on the network or service cable terminations, retesting shall be carried out as necessary. If the correct indications are obtained re connect
the consumer’s neutral and earth wires and replace the fuse carrier. Seal the cutout.
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APPENDIX B
TEST FOR CORRECT POLARITY OF A SINGLE PHASE TERMINATION USING TEST LAMP,
VOLTAGE INDICATOR OR VOLTMETER
IN PERFORMING THIS TEST:
1.
The test lamp, voltage indicator or voltmeter shall be confirmed to be working correctly using
approved proving device.
2.
If Electricity North West is providing a reliable earth any Neutral – Earth bonding link in the
cutout must be temporarily disconnected, before the polarity test can be carried out.
3.
Remove the fuse carrier, identify and temporarily disconnect consumer’s neutral and earth
wires - assume that the neutral/earth block is live.
4
Test to identify the live conductors by using the test lamp, voltage indicator or voltmeter.
OR
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5
Confirm the correct polarity by connecting the test lamp, voltage indicator or voltmeter
between:
5.1
The lower fuse base terminal and earth (the test lamp and voltage indicator should
light or the voltmeter should read 230 volts ± 20volts).
5.2
The neutral block and earth (the test lamp and voltage indicator should not light or the
voltmeter should read less than 20volts).
6.
Check Polarity Indicator is working by repeating 1. above
7.
If the test result indicate correct polarity work should continue to its conclusion.
8.
If the correct indications are not obtained then the situation must be reported to the Fault
Desk as a Cross Polarity Incident. The work in hand may then proceed, which must include
rectification of the cross polarity.
9.
After completing the required rectification on the network or service cable terminations, retesting shall be carried out as necessary. If the correct indications are obtained re connect
the consumer’s neutral and earth wires and replace the fuse carrier. Re-test the polarity at a
socket on the consumer’s installation. Seal the cutout.
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APPENDIX C
TEST FOR CORRECT POLARITY OF A THREE PHASE TERMINATION USING TEST LAMP,
VOLTAGE INDICATOR OR VOLTMETER
1.
Remove the fuse carriers.
2.
Identify and disconnect the consumer’s neutral and earth wires, (assume that the
neutral/earth block and PME link is Live).
3.
Disconnect the PME link (when fitted).
4.
The test lamp, voltage indicator or voltmeter shall be confirmed to be working correctly using
approved proving device.
5.
Test for supply and polarity, carrying out tests 1 to 4 in order.
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5.
Tests 3 and 4 are not applicable to CNE type cables.
6.
If the correct indications are not obtained then the situation must be reported to the Fault
Desk as a Cross Polarity Incident. The work in hand may then proceed, which must include
rectification of the cross polarity.
7.
After completing the required work, re-testing shall be carried out as necessary. If the
correct indications are obtained re-connect the consumer’s neutral and earth wires and
replace the fuse carrier. Re-test the polarity at a socket on the consumer’s installation. Seal
the cutout.
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APPENDIX D
TEST FOR CORRECT PHASE ROTATION
1.
TO PROVE CONTINUITY AND TO ASCERTAIN FAULTY LINE IF CONTINUITY IS NOT
PROVED.
In order to carry out a valid phase rotation test it is necessary to have three phases and a
neutral available, with correct polarity. Before commencing any test to indicate the rotation
of phases, the polarity test as set out in Appendix C shall be carried out. Any discrepancy
with the polarity of the connection must be corrected before continuing with the phase
rotation test.
2.
TO ASCERTAIN THE SEQUENCE OF PHASE ROTATION.
Connect the phase rotation meter using approved fused test leads. These will include at
least one of the test probes being fitted with a crocodile clip to ensure safety whist handling
the remaining leads. Additional detachable crocodile clips should be fitted to the other leads,
as appropriate, in order to be able to make safe connection to the terminals under test,
whilst operating and reading the instrument. The direction of rotation should be noted.
3.
TO PROVE CONSISTENCY OF PHASING ACROSS THE NETWORK.
Connect the leads to the terminals at a known and trusted reference point elsewhere on the
distribution network and note the rotation. This can then be compared to the results of a test
at the incoming terminals of the cutout, or elsewhere. If there is correct continuity without a
cross then the direction of rotation will be the same.
Caution: Crossed phasing should not be confused with crossed polarity. Crossed phasing
does not present an electrically unsafe situation. The phases may have been crossed
deliberately to ensure the correct operation of three phase equipment connected further
down the circuit or within a specific premise. No attempt to should be made to alter the
connections and rotation without further investigation, which shall involve making sufficient
checks with the consumer to confirm correct operation of their equipment.
4.
TO PROVE CONSISTENT ROTATION AT THE CONSUMER’S PREMISES.
Where consumers operate rotating machinery checks should be made to check that the
machinery is operating correctly, i.e. correct rotation of motors, etc. If connection need to be
broken and re-made in the course of work these checks must be made before and after to
ensure no change to the phasing has occurred
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APPENDIX E
TEST TO DETERMINE THE EARTH LOOP IMPEDANCE
Note: This is a Live procedure, 1000V rubber gloves must be worn.
(a)
Connect the dual test lead socket to the recessed plug in the instrument.
(b)
Set the slider switch to the appropriate range (TN).
(c)
Connect the black prod to the earth terminal.
(d)
Connect the red prod to the phase.
(e)
Check that the ‘P-E’ neon light illuminates. (If result is not displayed, repeat the test
by disconnecting and then reconnecting one of the probes.)
(f)
Wait approximately 4 seconds and read displayed result. (If result is not displayed,
repeat the test by disconnecting and then reconnecting one of the probes.)
(g)
Compare the result obtained with Table 1 below:If the result is greater than the worse case figure, report this to the Supervisor.
Table 1
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System
Worse Case Reading
TNS (separate earth)
0.8 
TN-C-S (PME)
0.35 
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APPENDIX F
EARTH ELECTRODE TESTING USING THE DET 3/2 MEGGER DIGITAL EARTH TESTER
Note: Approved protective equipment must be worn (See Section 2)
FALL OF POTENTIAL METHOD WITH SHORT ‘E’ LEAD
Make connections to the earth electrodes ‘E’, ‘P’ and ‘C2’. Press the button labelled ‘C1-P1’
(‘E-ES’) to automatically connect these two terminals internally. This should only be done if
the test lead can be kept short because resistance will be included in the measure
measurement.
Note: Earth Electrode test lead resistance can be determined separately. First remove it
from the electrode ‘E’ and connect it to the ‘C2’ and ‘P2’ (or ‘H’ and ‘S’) terminals
joined together, then measure its resistance in the normal way. This lead resistance
can then be deducted from the earth resistance measurements. This procedure is
not, of course, necessary if the ‘C1’ and ‘P1’ (or ‘E’ and ‘S’) terminals are connected
by separate test leads.
15m to 25m
15m to 25m
3m
3m
E
C2
P2
Electrode
under test
200
2k
20
E
ES
S
H
C1
P1
P2
C2
20k
Off
Rev/min
Lo
E
C1
ES
P1
Test RP
Figure 11
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Noise
Bruit
RP
Rc
max
MEGGER DET 3/2
Earth Tester
Fall of Potential method using single
lead to the earth electrode
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