Electrical installation safety inspection instructions after a flooding event

Purpose

The purpose of the inspection is to ensure, as far as practically possible, that the electrical installation of the affected premise is safe to re-energise after the supply has been disconnected due to flooding or possible flooding.

Use

All checks and tests listed are mandatory.

All areas of the affected premises need to be accessible to enable a complete inspection of the electrical installation.

The Electrical Installation Inspection Safety Certificate is for use to notify that the electrical installation at the affected premises has been inspected and tested and is in a safe condition to have the electrical supply reconnected. A copy of the Electrical Installation Safety Inspection Certificate can be provided to the customer and electricity distributor.

NOTE: The electrical installation only needs to meet compliance with the standards applicable at the time of installation.

Inspection

The inspection is required to be undertaken by the holder of an electrical qualified supervisor’s certificate or an electrical endorsed contractor’s licence.

Personal locking, tagging and verification of isolation of electricity supply needs to be undertaken at the main switchboard or point of connection prior to any inspections, checks or tests being undertaken. This is to ensure that the electrical supply cannot be inadvertently restored whilst inspection and tests are undertaken.

NOTE: Restoration of supply could be undertaken by the electricity distributor if network     supply has been impacted or via the remote reconnection function of the electricity meter.

The inspection is to ensure that all debris (mud, water, contaminants) has been removed from all the components of the electrical installation and components and the electrical installation are safe to re-energise. The inspection will include:

• switchboards
• front and rear of accessories such as outlets and switches
• light fittings
• internals of appliances such as ovens
• terminal blocks of appliances and motors
• Inspections can be undertaken using AS/NZS 3019 “Electrical installations – Periodic verification” as a guide.

Caution:  Care should be taken that the disturbance of existing cables is kept to a minimum. Such disturbance may cause insulation, which is brittle but adequately serving its purpose, to break and fall off the conductors. This could necessitate re-wiring of the circuit which was satisfactory until disturbed.

Visual

The visual inspection is to confirm that the installation is in good repair and does not exhibit indications of damage, excess moisture, exposed live conductors, misuse, missing appliances and accessories. The checks shall include:

1. All parts of the electrical installation, including outlets, switches and appliances, are clean, dry and free of debris.
2. All switches and switch mechanisms are operating correctly.
3. Cables, that can be seen, do not show evidence of insulation or sheath damage or deterioration.
4. The main earth electrode is in a good condition and suitable for its use.
5. Switches, socket-outlets, lighting points (fittings), etc. are in place and exhibit no exposed live parts, mechanical damage, or evidence of undue overheating.
6. Appliances, such as hotplates, ovens, water heaters, air conditioners, are in place, in a usable condition and do not have any exposed live parts.
7. Switchboard and components, including wiring, circuit protection devices, switches, etc. are in usable condition and do not show evidence of exposed live parts, damage, missing equipment, etc.
8. Check cables located in ceiling and under floor spaces, where access is available, for exposed live conductors, deterioration, and damage due to age, rodents, illegal electrical works, etc. If access is not available, N/A to be noted in remarks column of certificate.

NOTE: Removal of switches, socket-outlets, light fittings, etc may be required to ensure they are free of debris, mud, excess water, etc.

Testing

Prior to testing, ensure all switches are in the “on” position and all plugged in appliances removed from outlets.

The following test are to be conducted, in accordance with the requirements of Section 8 of AS/NZS 3000 Wiring Rules.

1. Continuity of main earthing conductor.
2. Continuity of equipotential bonding to water piping system, if required.
3. Continuity of earthing to fixed appliances.
4. Insulation resistance testing of all circuits.
5. Correct functioning of RCDs.

Other testing may be conducted, at the discretion of the certifying electrician.

Electrical installation, or parts of the electrical installation, must pass all tests prior to issuing of safety statement and energising the supply.

If part of the electrical installation does not pass the testing, it may be isolated and tagged off until repairs are undertaken. The remainder of the electrical installation may be energised.

Certification

Note: The Electrical Installation Safety Inspection Certificate does not replace the need for completing and submitting a CCCEW if any repair or other work has been carried out due to the results of the inspection or the needs of the customer.