enclosures housing elec- trical equipment compo- nents) vi 7.0 INSPECTION PROCEDURES, Before initiating the inspection of electrical equipment and associated circuits, Inspector should familiarise himself with the complete previous history of the — equipmenticircuts, design parameters, service, likely areas of concer, manufacturer's recommendations and such other pertinent data to arrive at the appropriate inspection procedure. Most of the defects/fauits in electrical system can be discovered only through tests and not by external inspection alone. For the basis on the type of inspection, Section 5.0 shall be refered For competence of the person conducting the tests, Section 3.) shall be referred Unless "otherwise mentioned, the acceptable test values shall be the compliance of |E. Rule 29 and the related standards published by Bureau of Indian Standards. I) INSULATION RESISTANCE TEST: Insulation resistance is measured to ensure absence of leakage current and ‘wumidity. For @ given insulation condition, the acceptable value of resistance depends on the size and type of the equipment, and voltage rating. ‘The insulation resistance is directly measured with the help of megger which applies constant test voltage (d.c) on the insulation. This test voltage has to be applied for the time required for the absorption current to die down, (normally + minute). Electrical installations shall be tested for insulation resistance between all conductors and earth and between the Conductors themselves, General 1 megaohm per KV should be acceptable value of insulation resistance. However, in case of 0.415 KV circuits 1 megaohm ‘should be minimum acceptable value. Recommended test voltages: For medium voltage OSD. &Y ircuits = 500 Volts (4.c) —For high voltage circuits = 1000 Volts (4.c) If the insulation resistance values obtained are less than required value, the approved method of drying out shall be carried out until the required steady insulation resistance value is obtained, i) MEASUREMENT OF EARTH- RESISTANCE a) Earth resistance can be directly read trough an earth test Megger which has associated Test, auxiliary Current and Potential electrodes. This instrument which is @ combination of ‘ohmmeter and generator works on ‘fll of potential’ principle. Test voltage is derived from the generator of the Megger. b) Allowable earth-Resistance Values The resistance value of an earthing system to general mass of the earth should not exceed. — 4 Ohms for electrical systems and metalic structures ~ 7 Ohms for storage tanks ~ Ohm for main earth grid, and bonding — airsctens bawest one Pipelines and ‘associated Facilities ~ 2 Ohms for each electrode to the general mass of the earth. lil) EARTH CONTINUITY TEST A separate test of every earth continuity conductor should be made (RefE.3 of Institution of Electrical Engineers - IEE's regulation) Since the values of impedance and resistance of earth continuity conductors are subject to the requirements for earth loop impedance should also be tested. (Ref, 22 of IEE regulation). ‘AI the earth leakage sensing devices along with their wiring connections shall be periodically tested for their proper