ITC5: Low Voltage Electrical Installations Inspection
1. Objective
This Instruction implements Articles 18 and 20 of the Low Voltage Electrotechnical Regulations concerning verifications before commissioning and inspection of electrical installations within its scope.
2. Actors and Agents
2.1. Verification Before Commissioning
Verifications before commissioning must be conducted by the companies responsible for installation and operation.
2.2. Inspection Bodies
In accordance with Article 20 of the Regulation, and without prejudice to the powers held by the Public Administration to conduct inspections, Control Organizations (as defined in Royal Decree 2.200/1995 of 28 December) accredited for this regulation must be provided for low voltage electrical installations.
3. Pre-Verification Instructions
Low voltage electrical installations must be verified before commissioning, following the methodology of UNE 20,460-6-61, as appropriate according to their characteristics.
4. Inspections
Low voltage electrical installations of particular relevance (listed below) must be inspected by an inspection body to ensure regulatory compliance throughout their lifespan.
Inspections can be:
- Initial: Before commissioning.
- Periodic.
4.1. Initial Inspections
The following facilities must be inspected after completion, extensions, or significant alterations, and documented before the competent authority of the Autonomous Region:
- Industrial facilities requiring a project with an installed capacity exceeding 100 kW.
- Crowded public premises.
- Locations with fire or explosion risk, class I (except garages with fewer than 25 spaces).
- Wet locations with an installed power of 25 kW or more.
- Pools with an installed capacity exceeding 10 kW.
- Operating rooms and intervention halls.
- Outdoor lighting installations with an installed power exceeding 5 kW.
4.2. Periodic Inspections
All low voltage electrical installations requiring initial inspection (as per Section 4.1) will be inspected every 5 years. Common residential buildings with a total installed power exceeding 100 kW will be inspected every 10 years.
5. Procedure
5.1. Inspection Process
Control bodies will inspect facilities based on the Implementing Regulation’s requirements and, if applicable, the technical documentation. They will use the defect classification criteria outlined in the next section. The installation company may attend these inspections.
5.2. Inspection Certificate
Following the inspection, the Control Agency will issue an Inspection Certificate. This certificate will include the facility’s identification data, a list of defects (if any), their classification, and the facility’s qualification, which can be:
5.2.1. Favorable
Issued when no very serious or serious defects are found. Any minor defects will be noted for the record holder, who should address them before the next inspection. These minor defects can also be used for statistical purposes and to improve installer control.
5.2.2. Conditional
Issued when at least one serious defect is found, or minor defects from a previous inspection haven’t been corrected.
- New facilities with this qualification cannot be powered until the defects are corrected and a favorable rating is obtained.
- Facilities already in service will be given a deadline (not exceeding 6 months) to correct the defects. If the defects aren’t corrected within this timeframe, the Control Agency will submit a negative certificate to the competent authority of the Autonomous Community.
5.2.3. Negative
Issued when at least one very serious defect is found.
- New facilities cannot enter service until the defects are corrected and a favorable rating is obtained.
- For facilities already in service, a negative certificate will be issued and immediately forwarded to the competent authority of the Autonomous Community.
6. Classification of Defects
.
The defects in the facilities are classified as: very severe defects, major defects and minor defects.
6.1. Very severe defect.
It’s all who reason and experience determines which constitutes an immediate danger to the safety of persons or property.
Such are considered breaches of the security measures that may trigger off the dangers that seeks to avoid such measures in relation to:
Direct contacts in any type of plant;
Local public assembly;
Local fire or explosion;
Local special characteristics;
Facilities for special purposes;
Operating rooms and halls of intervention.
6.2. Serious shortcomings.
Is that not an immediate danger to the safety of persons or property, but it can be to cause an installation failure. Also included within this classification, the defect that may substantially reduce the capacity utilization of the electrical installation.
Within this group, but not be limited, considering the following serious shortcomings:
Lack of bonding, when these are required;
Lack of adequate security measures against indirect contact;
Lack of isolation of the facility;
Lack of adequate protection against short circuits and overloads in the driver, depending on the maximum allowable intensity in them according to their characteristics and installation conditions;
Lack of continuity of protective conductors;
Elevated values of earth resistance with regard to security measures.
Defects in the connection of protective conductors to the masses, when these connections were mandatory;
Section inadequate protection for drivers;
Existence of parts or points of the system as flawed execution would be the source of malfunction or damage;
Inappropriate nature or characteristics of drivers used;
Lack of drivers section in relation to the allowable voltage drop for the anticipated loads;
Failure to identify drivers “neutral” and “safety”;
Use of materials, devices or receivers that do not meet current specifications.
Extensions or modifications of a facility that had not been dealt with as provided in the ITC-BT 04.
Lack of mandated minimum number of circuits
The successive repetition or accumulation of minor defects.
6.3. Slight defect.
Is everyone posing no danger to persons or property, does not disturb the operation of the facility and where the deviation from the rule has no significant value for the effective use or operation of the facility