SPARKYSTUDY NOTES
SPARKY STUDY NOTES sparkystudynotes.co.uk/learn/the-whole-test-sequence-in-order

Free notes

The whole test sequence, in orderCan you write the test sequence cold?

Free from the notes: Sparky’s video on it, the section word for word as members see it, and a PDF to keep.

From Sparky’s full video lesson. Members get the whole lesson on every notes page.

The notes

Exactly as they are on the site.

Download these notesPDF · free to keep

Worth copying out once from memory, then checking against Guidance Note 3 · Figure 2.12 · p.57 or On-Site Guide · section 10.

#TestInstrumentOn which conductors
DEAD
1Safe isolationGS38 approved voltage indicatorAll combinations — see below
2Continuity of protective conductorsLow-resistance ohmmeterR2 on bonding, then R1+R2 on circuits
3Continuity of ring final conductorsLow-resistance ohmmeterL, N, CPC — three steps
4Insulation resistanceInsulation resistance testerLive conductors together to earth; between live conductors
—Polarity (circuit)proved by the continuity tests
LIVE
5Supply polarityApproved voltage indicatorAll combinations — now looking for voltage
6Earth fault loop impedance ZeEarth fault loop impedance testerLine–earth at the origin
7Zdb — at each distribution boardEarth fault loop impedance testerLine–earth at the board
8Zs — each circuitEarth fault loop impedance testerLine–CPC at each point
9RCD operationRCD tester or MFTSee below
10Prospective fault current IpfSame instrument, PFC buttonPEFC and PSCC — record the higher
DEAD nothing energised — prove it first 1 Safe isolation GS38 indicator 2 Continuity of protective conductors 3 Continuity of the ring 4 Insulation resistance circuit polarity needs no test of its own — the continuity tests prove it now, and only now, energise LIVE the installation is on 5 Supply polarity voltage indicator 6 Ze at the origin 7 Zdb at each board 8 Zs each circuit 9 RCD operation 10 Ipf fault current
Every dead test has to pass before anything is energised — that is what the sequence is for. Note the one with no number: circuit polarity needs no test of its own, because steps 2 and 3 already proved it. Supply polarity at step 5 is a different thing, and it is live.
✋Know Guidance Note 3's grouping. These notes take checking the supply polarity as the first live test. Guidance Note 3 · Figure 2.12 · p.57 groups the live tests as earth electrode resistance, earth fault loop impedance and RCD operation, then prospective fault current, phase sequence, functional testing and voltage drop — and where there is an earth electrode, its resistance is measured before the installation is energised. Know which book you are answering from.
The earth electrode test moves. Guidance Note 3’s before-energising point fits E1, the dead test: it comes earlier, before supply polarity. Test method E3 needs the supply on, so on a TT system using E3 it sits with the live tests, which is where most people will meet it.

Free section from Sparky Study Notes. The full Level 3 notes, 1,463 practice questions and the video lessons: sparkystudynotes.co.uk

Test yourself on it

The tests are in the members’ area. Get one wrong and it shows you why, and where to revise.

Get access

Get new notes and exam tips from Sparky

About one email a fortnight. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy notice

That was one section. There are 583.

Sparky Study Notes is the whole Level 3 syllabus written up like this: the explanation, the worked example, and where it is in your book. With a video lesson for every part and a practice paper for every exam.

  • 583sections of written notes
  • 35video lessons
  • 1,463practice questions
  • 146diagrams, redrawn
  • 18th Edition
  • Building Regs
  • PAT
  • Fundamental Inspection & Testing
  • Initial Verification
  • Periodic Inspection & Testing
Get access — £100 12 months. One payment. See what’s inside