ScottishPower Safety Instruction EM/SI/015 1st Edition (Issue 1)

SI-15 Testing Low Voltage Plant

This Safety Instruction sets out recognised test procedures used on LV Plant, including use of Approved
Test Equipment.

SI-15.1 Definitions

15.1.1 For the purpose of this Safety Instruction the following definitions apply:
 ‘Test Equipment’ – an Approved instrument or device used to measure the electrical
characteristics of voltage, current, and / or resistance

15.1.2 The following terms are defined in Part D of the Safety Rules:
 Danger – a risk to health, or of bodily injury

15.1.3 In the context of this Safety Instruction the main Dangers to any Person testing on Low Voltage
Plant are:
 Internally or externally derived sources of energy used for testing
 Contact with Plant whilst test voltages are applied
 Inadvertent contact with conductors which are Live at System voltage

SI-15.2 General Requirements for Testing LV Plant

15.2.1 Testing shall where reasonably practicable be undertaken Dead, however in many instances testing
can only be completed with the System Live.
Testing of Live LV Plant shall be treated as Live Work requiring justification in accordance with
the requirements of Safety Instruction-8, ‘Live Work’.
Testing on Live Low Voltage Plant is justified when carried out in accordance with the
requirements of this Safety Instruction and / or an Approved Written Procedure.

15.2.2 Persons testing LV Plant shall be appropriately trained and authorised in accordance with the
specific requirements of Safety Instruction-2, ‘Safety Rules Training, Authorisation and
Competence’.

15.2.3 A point of Work risk assessment shall be completed before testing LV Plant. This risk assessment
shall consider the condition of the Plant, including connected cables, and the surroundings.
Environmental conditions, public safety and the presence of faulty or damaged Plant shall be
considered in the point of Work risk assessment.
Plant shall be subjected to a routine inspection prior to the start of any Work involving testing to
ensure that Danger will not arise due to the condition of the Plant. Should this inspection reveal
any significant deficiency in the Plant which could give rise to Danger, no attempt shall be made to
Work on the Plant whilst it is Live until a suitable Senior Authorised Person has been consulted
and has assessed the situation.

15.2.4 Provided that the requirements of this Safety Instruction are met, testing of LV Plant may be
undertaken without accompaniment.
Where the point of Work risk assessment identifies that an accompanying Person would
significantly contribute to safety, then the Authorised Person shall be accompanied by another
Person trained to provide accompaniment in accordance with the specific requirements of Safety
Instruction-2, ‘Safety Rules Training, Authorisation and Competence’.

15.2.5 When carrying out LV testing in accordance with an Approved Written Procedure any stated
requirement for accompaniment shall be observed.

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15.2.6 Suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) shall be worn when testing LV Plant. This shall
include a minimum of light eye protection, fire retardant coveralls, securely fastened at the neck,
ankles and wrists, class 1 insulating gloves and appropriate safety footwear.
A full-face visor shall be worn during Work at service terminations, when removing or inserting cut-
out fuses, when disconnecting / reconnecting earth or bonding conductors, and where legacy
service terminations, including metal-clad, are installed.

15.2.7 All tools and Test Equipment used when testing LV Plant shall be Approved.
The Authorised Person shall give consideration to the use of an Approved insulating mat during
testing. Shrouding of adjacent metalwork using suitable Approved insulating material shall also be
considered.

15.2.8 The Authorised Person shall ensure there is adequate working space, access / egress and lighting
to allow testing to be carried out safely including the use where necessary of portable lighting.

SI-15.3 Specific Requirements – Use of Approved Test Equipment

15.3.1 Test Equipment shall be inspected immediately before and after use to confirm it is in good working
order and has a valid inspection / electrical test date where applicable.
Where appropriate Test Equipment shall have fused leads fitted with fuse protected leads.

15.3.2 Test Equipment shall be handled with care and shall where practicable be stored in cool, clean, dry
conditions.
If used in wet conditions Test Equipment shall be dried as soon as practicable. Test Equipment
shall be protected from sharp impacts, shocks, scratching or other damage. Unless specifically
designed for that purpose, the probes of Test Equipment shall not be used to pierce conductor
insulation.

15.3.3 Test Equipment shall be energised for only the minimum period of time required to complete any
test.

15.3.4 Approved voltage indicators shall be tested immediately before and after use with an Approved
proving unit.
The Approved proving unit used shall be aligned with the rating of the Test Equipment being
proven. For example 690 volt proving units shall not be used to prove 400 volt test lamps.
Approved voltage indicators may be tested against a known Live source that will prove the full
range of functions of the device.

15.3.5 A multi-meter may be used on the AC voltage range to test voltage conditions including proving
Dead.
Any Authorised Person using a multi-meter shall ensure that the appropriate measuring range is
selected on the instrument for the voltage being measured, commonly the 500 volt AC range for LV
Plant.

15.3.6 Approved test lamps have a high impedance by design to limit the current drawn when in use.
If a conductor being proven Dead has become Charged, then high impedance Test Equipment can
give an erroneous Live indication. A traditional filament lamp would not indicate Live in these
circumstances.
Certain types of Test Equipment have a switchable low impedance mode to safely dissipate
electrical charge.
If Test Equipment unexpectedly indicates that a conductor is Live then the Authorised Person
shall select the low impedance mode where available and repeat the test.
If the repeat test results in a Dead indication, then the conductor can be treated as having been
confirmed to be Dead. If the repeat test indicates Live then the conductor shall be treated as Live.

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15.3.7 Single pole, non-contact, proximity Test Equipment, often referred to as a voltage pen, is a type of
Test Equipment designed to indicate if a conductor is Live.
This Test Equipment indicates a voltage greater than approximately 50 volts when placed near an
exposed conductor or external insulation.
A voltage pen may be used as part of the control measures associated with testing damaged LV
Plant when there is no safe way of making direct contact with the conductors.
Examples of the use of a voltage pen include, but are not limited to:
 Investigating possible blown fuses in large LV distribution boards
 Checking LV fuses on pole mounted Plant, and so avoiding the need for working at height
 Indicating the presence of surface voltage on service terminations
Voltage pens shall be used for indication only and shall not be used as confirmation of LV
conductors being Dead prior to Work.
Voltage pens shall not be used for polarity testing.
Voltage pens shall be tested immediately before and after use.

15.3.8 The following meanings shall be placed upon the results of commonly used tests employing Test
Equipment.

Purpose of Test Test Equipment Indication Meaning of Indication

Proving conductors Dead  No illumination when using No voltage is present between the
test lamps LV conductor and neutral or earth
 Approximately 0V indicated
on meter
Proving conductors in-phase  No illumination when using No voltage difference between
test lamps phases
 Negligible voltage of
indicated on meter
Proving conductors Live  Above minimum illumination Voltage is present between the
when using test lamps LV conductor and neutral or earth
 Above negligible volts
indicated on meter
Reference section 15.3.6
Voltage between phase and  Up to 230V level illumination Voltage is present between the
neutral at 230V nominal when using test lamps phase conductor and neutral
 Approximately 230V
indicated on meter
Reference section 15.3.6
Voltage between phase and  Up to 230V level illumination Voltage is present between the
earth at 230V nominal when using test lamps phase conductor and earth
 Approximately 230V
indicated on meter
Reference section 15.3.6
Voltage between phases at 400V  Up to 400V level illumination Nominal System voltage is
nominal when using test lamps present between distinct phase
 Approximately 400V conductors
indicated on meter The phases being tested are not
common

On receiving a ‘Dead’ indication from any test, or a 230V indication when using test lamps, the Test
Equipment shall be confirmed to be correctly functioning by means of an Approved proving unit or
suitable known Live LV source.

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SI-15.4 Specific Requirements – LV Cable Insulation and Continuity Testing

15.4.1 Prior to installing a new LV cable or aerial bundled conductor (ABC) the following insulation and
continuity tests shall be carried out on the conductors.
These tests shall be applied regardless of whether the cable is positioned overhead or underground,
is looped, lateral or internal, or is an inserted piece to repair a faulty section.

15.4.2 Insulation test – this test shall be carried out to confirm the integrity of the insulation between
phases, neutral and earth, where applicable. The required insulation value shall be equal to or
greater than 2 MΩ, with the Test Equipment set to the 500 V (DC) range.

15.4.3 Continuity test – this test shall be carried out to verify that conductors are continuous from end to
end. A continuity test shall be carried out on each conductor present, including where separate
neutral or earth conductors exist.

SI-15.5 Specific Requirements – Supply Characteristic Testing

15.5.1 Surface voltage test – this test shall be undertaken before any Switching or Work is undertaken at
an LV service termination. The purpose of a surface voltage test is to ensure that LV Plant, such
as the cut-out, meter and any isolator, is not Live. Adjacent metal trunking, containment, or gas and
water pipes shall also be tested.
An Approved voltage pen shall be used to carry out the test. The voltage pen shall be tested
immediately before and after use.
The probe shall be placed on various surfaces of the cut-out, meter, isolator and other nearby
equipment. Further surface voltage tests shall be completed as parts of the cut-out, such as the
fuse carriers and neutral cover, are removed.
Work shall not continue if any surface voltage is found using the voltage pen. The service
termination shall be Isolated pending further investigation and repair. Adjacent properties shall
where reasonably practicable be tested to determine if there is a common fault or issue.

15.5.2 Neutral current diversion (NCD) Test – this test shall where practicable before any Switching or
Work is undertaken at an LV service termination to establish if any current is flowing in the earth
conductor or metallic gas or water service pipes.
A NCD test can indicate Danger arising from the presence of a high resistance in the supply neutral
conductor leading to neutral current following a lower resistance path to earth.
Where a neutral fault is common to several installations there is a possibility that residual current
device (RCD) protection will not operate.
An Approved clip-on ammeter shall where reasonably practicable be used and placed around any
accessible earth conductor, equipotential bonding, and exposed metallic gas and water services.
The level of NCD measured shall be used in determining the appropriate action:
 Where NCD is assessed to be acceptable Approved insulating gloves shall be worn and the
conductors shall be secured and shrouded during subsequent Work.
 Where NCD is assessed to be unacceptable the service termination shall be Isolated pending
further investigation and repair. Adjacent properties shall where reasonably practicable be
tested to determine if there is a common fault or issue.

15.5.3 Polarity test – this test shall be conducted to confirm the correct orientation of phase and neutral
conductors.
(i) Preliminary test – an Approved ‘Socket Polarity Tester’ shall where reasonably practicable be
inserted in a 13A socket outlet on the installation prior to the removal of the cut-out fuse. On
combined neutral and earth supplies this will not provide a definitive test of polarity at the supply
terminals but may indicate potential issues on the supply;

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(ii) Subsequent tests – the cut-out fuse shall be removed and, regardless of whether there is a
combined or separate neutral and earth supply, polarity tests shall be carried out using both of
the following Approved devices:
 Test lamp or Approved voltage indicator / multi-meter, and
 Polarity tester
The Test Equipment shall be used to confirm continuity of phases, neutral and earth; and for a
multi-phase System, that different phases are present.
The polarity tester shall be used to confirm that the phase cut-out terminals are Live, and the
neutral and earth terminals are Dead.
Note: if a polarity tester is not available, then a test lamp with a ‘wandering’ or ‘reference’ earth
lead may be used to test a combined neutral earth supply in accordance with an Approved
Written Procedure.
Upon successful completion of this test, all phases, neutral and earth shall be identified at the
service termination in accordance with the requirements of section 19.9 of Safety Instruction-
19, ‘Low Voltage Service Terminations and Meters’.
If the test does not confirm correct polarity, then investigations and alterations shall be carried
out to resolve the problem. Instances of reverse polarity shall be reported to team leader and
/ or manager in accordance with business procedures.
When cutout fuses are inserted the Approved ‘Socket Polarity Tester’ shall where practicable
again be used at the same socket, ensuring that the same result is attained.

15.5.4 Voltage test – this test shall be carried out on LV Plant to identify or confirm that voltage is within
the correct nominal range for the System concerned.
Standard nominal LV AC voltages are:

Single phase System 230V plus 10% or minus 6% A range of 217 to 253V
Two Phase System 460V plus 10% or minus 6% A range of 432 to 506V

Three Phase System 400V plus 10% or minus 6% A range of 376 to 440V

Three Phase System 690V plus 10% or minus 6% A range of 649 to 759V

For a three phase System several voltage tests are required.

When there is one Live cable to be jointed then the following tests shall be undertaken using an
Approved test lamp:

Test L1 – E&N or N/E L2 – E&N or N/E L3 – E&N or N/E Neutral – Earth

Expected Result 230V 230V 230V 0V

Test L1 – L2 L1 – L3 L2 – L3

Expected Result 400V 400V 400V

Note:
‘E&N’ denotes testing separately to neutral and to earth
‘N/E’ denotes testing to a combined neutral and earth
If the results obtained prove to be different from expected, then Work shall not proceed, and the
Authorised Person shall seek guidance.
When there are two or more Live cables to be jointed then the following additional tests shall be
undertaken:

Test L1 – L1 L1 – L2 L1 – L3 L2 – L2 L2 – L3 L3 – L3

Expected Result 0V 400V 400V 0V 400V 0V

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For service terminations, voltage tests may employ a specific test using a voltmeter / probes of a
multi-purpose clamp meter or be conducted as part of earth and neutral loop impedance tests where
the Test Equipment used for these tests displays voltage.

15.5.5 Phase rotation Test – this test shall where practicable be carried out to confirm the correct sequence
of phases on a multi-phase System.
(i) New termination – shall be installed with the ‘National Standard’ phase rotation of ‘L1’, ‘L2’,
‘L3’, at the service termination;
(ii) Existing termination – upon completion of any Work the supply shall be reconnected with
the original phase rotation.
When Work is being carried out on an existing installation and it is not practicable to
complete a phase rotation test, for instance under fault conditions, the following procedure
shall be applied:
a) The Authorised Person shall where practicable establish whether the service
termination supplies any 3-phase rotating machinery;
b) Where it is established that there is no 3-phase rotating machinery, Work shall be
completed and the supply connected with ‘standard’ phase rotation;
c) Where it is established that 3-phase rotating machinery is supplied, then Work shall
be carried out up to the stage where the service termination can safely be made Live.
The Work up to this point shall be carried out with the intention of establishing
‘standard’ phase rotation;
d) A suitable item of machinery shall be test run to establish whether it is rotating in the
correct direction. If the rotation of the machinery is correct, then Work shall be
completed with that supply phase rotation. If the rotation of the machinery is incorrect,
necessary alterations shall be carried out at a suitable point by swapping two phases
to reverse the supply phase rotation;
e) The rotation of the machinery shall be re-checked to ensure it is correct. Work shall
then be completed;
f) Where it cannot be established whether there is any 3-phase machinery present,
Work shall be completed to provide a supply with standard rotation, the fuse carriers
shall be inserted and sealed with the supply left off. Where appropriate, one phase
of the installation may be energised to provide essential supplies such as heating
and lighting;
g) The supply shall only be reconnected after correct phase rotation can be confirmed,
or all reasonable attempts to confirm the absence of 3-phase machinery have been
completed.

15.5.6 Earth loop impedance and neutral loop impedance tests – at new terminations these tests shall be
carried out to establish the combined impedance of the phase conductor and the current return path
to a distribution transformer via the System earth or neutral conductors. Where there is a combined
neutral and earth System, neutral loop and earth loop impedance are the same.
At existing terminations, neutral and earth loop impedance tests shall where reasonably practicable
be carried out on every occasion when service termination cut-out fuses are removed irrespective
of whether Work has been undertaken on the supply neutral and / or earth.
Neutral and earth loop impedance tests shall be carried out with connected load switched off and
the neutral and earth conductors disconnected. This is to ensure that the measured value of the
earth loop impedance is not rendered artificially low due to connection to metallic water pipes, gas
pipes, or other Earthed metalwork.
The maximum acceptable neutral or earth loop impedance values are:
Service Capacity PME/CNE (Ω) SNE (Ω) Key:
Single phase 100A 0.35 0.8 PME – Protective Multiple Earthing
Three phase 100A 0.35 0.8 CNE – Combined Neutral Earthing

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Three phase 200A 0.35 0.35 SNE – Separate Neutral Earthing

Three phase 300A 0.2 0.2
Three phase 400A 0.15 0.15
Three phase 600A 0.1 0.15

Neutral loop impedance values should be equal to or less than the earth loop impedance values.
Should a value greater than that stated above be measured, then checks shall be carried out to
determine whether the fault is located at the local service termination or on another part of the
System.
If it is suspected that a fault exists elsewhere on the System meaning that other service terminations
could be similarly affected, the Authorised Person shall immediately report this to the responsible
control centre and undertake initial investigation.

SI-15.6 Specific Requirements – Testing Underground Cables

15.6.1 Prior to any underground cable being made Live for the first time by jointing appropriate tests
including cable insulation and continuity testing shall be completed.

15.6.2 Appropriate tests in accordance with section 15.5 of this Safety Instruction shall be completed to
establish voltage conditions.

SI-15.7 Specific Requirements – Testing Overhead Lines

15.7.1 Visual checks of conductor continuity over the full extent of a new section of overhead line which
does not include a section of cable shall suffice prior to it being made Live for the first time. There
is no requirement for insulation resistance and continuity testing.

15.7.2 Prior to any overhead which does include a section of cable being made Live for the first time
appropriate tests including cable insulation and continuity testing shall be completed.

15.7.3 Appropriate tests in accordance with section 15.5 of this Safety Instruction shall be completed to
establish voltage conditions.

SI-15.8 Specific Requirements – Testing Batteries and Battery Chargers

15.8.1 Approved Test Equipment shall be used when Work on batteries requires voltage or impedance
measurements to be taken. This Test Equipment shall have fuse-protected leads to safeguard
Persons from Danger.
All Test Equipment, including probes and leads, shall be inspected immediately before and after
use.
For further requirements refer to Safety Instruction-23, ‘Batteries and Battery Chargers’.

SI-15.9 Specific Requirements – Testing at Service Positions

15.9.1 The following tests shall be undertaken during any investigation into local supply issues, or before
and after any Work that can affect supply polarity, voltage, earth loop impedance, or phase rotation:
 Surface voltage test
 Neutral current diversion (NCD) test
 Polarity test
 Voltage test
 Phase rotation test
 Earth loop impedance test

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 Neutral loop impedance test

15.9.2 The tests detailed at 15.9.1 are applicable after first energisation of all new service terminations and
after any Work on existing service terminations which affects, or has potential to affect, supply
characteristics.
These tests are also applicable when responding to System faults or carrying out investigations,
for example following reports of a ‘smell of burning’ or high earth loop impedance.

15.9.3 Where Work might have affected the characteristics at existing service terminations the appropriate
tests shall where practicable be carried out at suitable positions to establish that supplies have been
restored to the correct standard.

15.9.4 The tests detailed in section 15.9.1 shall where practicable be carried out at the same position
before Work and after Work to allow a direct comparison.
It may not be practicable to do this during System faults where supplies have been disrupted or are
not available.

15.9.5 Where conductors on both sides of the point of Work remain Live from the System during the
Work, for instance when inserting a section of LV cable for fault repair, then it is necessary only to
confirm the correct phase conditions of conductors during and on completion of Work.
Where Work involves breaking and re-making conductors, they shall be clearly marked using
Approved identification tape before being disconnected. It is a good practice to take a sketch or
photograph and for the same Person to carry out the disconnection and re-connection to reduce
the margin for error.

15.9.6 Where Work on an overhead line or underground cable has not disrupted any service termination
it is sufficient to only test beyond the point of Work.
Where access to phase and neutral conductors is available, for instance at street furniture, a single
before and after test is sufficient.
Alternatively, satisfactory tests shall be made at a minimum of two service terminations beyond the
point of Work unless the System supplies only one service termination, in which case tests shall
be carried out at that position.

15.9.7 For Work at a connection point, for instance a multi-service or looped service termination, it is
sufficient to mark the conductors using Approved identification tape and make a sketch or a
photograph to record the connections.
Appropriate tests detailed in section 15.9.1 shall be carried out at the point of Work before and after
Work. In addition, tests shall where reasonably practicable be carried out at services supplied from
the connection point on completion of Work.

15.9.8 For further requirements refer to Safety Instruction-19, ‘Low Voltage Service Terminations and
Meters’.

SI-15.10 Specific Requirements – General Electrotechnical Testing

15.10.1 Tests of several types are employed during installation and fault finding Work on LV Plant. This
Work includes, but is not limited to, telecoms, metering and protection Work.
For further requirements refer to Safety Instruction-21, ‘Work in Electrical Panels’.

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ISSUE DATE VERSION No. AMENDMENT DETAILS

2024 1 New Safety Instruction

PROCEDURE PROCEDURE PROCEDURE

AUTHOR APPROVAL ISSUE AUTHORITY
Name: PRG Name: PRG Name: CSRC
Title: Title: Title:
Date: 01-02-24 Date: 01-02-24 Date: 01-02-24

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