[ Update: Inspection and testing ] Change for the better?
The recognised training for inspection and testing has undergone some changes, so here’s a brief update from the ECA training department
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nspection and testing is a critical part of all electrical installation and maintenance work carried out in compliance with the requirements of BS7671. Every electrical installation must be tested before it is put into
service, and again, at regular intervals during its service, to make sure that it is safe for continued use. There are now two new qualifications that fully cover all
aspects of inspection and testing of electrical installations to the requirements of BS7671. They are the new ‘Level 3 Award in the Initial Verification and Certification of Electrical Installations’ and ‘Level 3 Award in the Periodic Inspection, Testing and Certification of Electrical Installations’. Both qualifications together are equal to the old inspection and testing qualification (City & Guilds 2391) – but why, you may ask, are there now two qualifications instead of one?
Raising standards
The old 2391 inspection and testing qualification suffered low pass rates, and it became evident in recent years that it functioned more as an assessment of testing procedures for both initial verification and periodic inspections of electrical installations than as a means of comprehensively training qualified electricians in how to approach and correctly perform inspection and testing.
The split into two separate qualifications aims to provide greater focus on each skill and allow more time for the teaching of the supporting theory, principles and practices required for these important areas. In turn, it is hoped that the quality of initial verification and periodic inspections will improve in the industry.
Content The new Award in the Initial Verification and Certification of Electrical Installations covers the inspection and testing of new work carried out in electrical installations. This qualification covers the verification, testing, commissioning and certification requirements to BS7671 for new electrical installations. The new Award in the Periodic Inspection, Testing and
Certification of Electrical Installations is for anyone involved in the periodic inspection and testing of existing installations to ensure they remain safe for continued use. This qualification covers the requirements to compare an existing installation against the current edition of the Wiring Regulations and how to report the findings of that inspection – particularly where there are differences between the installation and the regulations, but where the electrical installation is still safe for continued use. The qualification also covers the testing requirements for a periodic inspection.
Format and availability
Each of the two new qualifications has an online multiple- choice exam, a written exam and a practical assessment.
September 2012 ECA Today 65
The split into two separate qualifications aims to provide greater focus on each skill
The multiple choice exam is the same for both qualifications, so candidates need only pass it once to count for both the initial verification and the periodic inspection qualifications. The new inspection and testing qualifications are accredited and available through our two main awarding bodies, City & Guilds and EAL, at their college and training centre networks.
Electricians who have already achieved the old City & Guilds inspection and testing qualification are not expected to re-qualify with the new qualifications but may find the time spent studying the Wiring Regulations and the new testing qualifications valuable in reinforcing their knowledge and experience.
A current inspection and testing qualification demonstrates that the holder maintains an up to date knowledge in electrical testing, which will be of value to employers who are interested in the currency of a person’s qualifications. Some operatives may be required to gain the new initial verification qualification before they are able to sign off a new electrical installation to BS7671 for their company, or an operative may not be able to carry out an electrical installation condition report without the new periodic inspection qualification. n For further information, contact the ECA training department on 0845 872 5361 or visit the ECA website at
www.eca.co.uk/training
SHUTTERSTOCK / AUREMAR
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