Appendix BTest procedure – road lighting (de-energised where possible)#

This procedure details the required tests to be conducted for road lighting where main circuit is de energised.

Reference drawings
Fig BRoad Lighting (De-energised) Sheet 1 of 2
Fig CRoad Lighting (De-energised) Sheet 2 of 2

Procedure (in order of test sequence)#

a)Visual inspection#

  1. i.Check for any dangerous vermin/biohazards in the switchboard.
  2. ii.Make sure the switchboard door and cabinet are correctly earthed.
  3. iii.Make sure the MEN link is available (if applicable).
  4. iv.Check all exposed conductors cannot be inadvertently accessed (IP2X).
  5. v.Look for mechanically-damaged equipment, unsupported parts, and cables in tension.
  6. vi.Visually check all earthing conductors are connected to the earth bar.
  7. vii.Visually check that neutral conductors are connected to the neutral bar.

b)Earth continuity [no voltage test, but working in vicinity of live parts]#

  1. i.Isolate supply and confirm no voltage present on load side of main switch and neutral.
  2. ii.Complete the following noting possible risk. Disconnect the main earth and MEN from the neutral link. Disconnection point is the earth bar.
  3. iii.Place Ohmmeter between the Earth bar of the switchboard 1 and the post of each road light using suitable trailing lead.
  4. iv.If photo cell is located on a separate metal structure i.e. traffic signal post, then test Earth Continuity up to the photo cell.
  5. v.Record results (measure the resistance of the trailing lead also). Deduct value of trailing lead from the results to obtain test result.
  6. vi.Reconnect the main earth and the MEN.

c)Neutral integrity [main circuit de-energised, but working in vicinity of live parts]#

  1. i.Turn off main switch.
  2. ii.Confirm integrity of main earthing connection as per test sequence b) Earth continuity.
  3. iii.Remove main earth and main neutral from main switchboard.
  4. iv.Check operation of voltage indicator.
  1. v.Test supply side of the main switch and main earth. Result should indicate approximately 230 – 240 Vac. The consumer mains is still energised.
  2. vi.Complete the following noting possible risk. Disconnect MEN link. Test between supply side of the main switch and neutral bar. A result of approximately 230 – 240 Vac indicates other neutral to earth connections within the installation. Remove neutral connection of any such circuit.
  3. vii.Isolate CCTS other than the circuit being tested. Reconnect main neutral to the neutral bar and close the main switch. Apply a substantial load. Test between main switch and neutral bar. Record the reading.
  4. viii.Turn off main switch. Remove main neutral and connect main earth. Reconnect MEN link.
  5. ix.Turn on main switch and test between main switch and neutral bar. Reading should be substantially the same as for step vii. of this test sequence c) Neutral integrity; that is, within 5 volts.

d)Insulation resistance test#

  1. i.Ensure main switch at the main switchboard is turned off.
  2. ii.Ensure that all protective devices are in circuit and that all switches are on.
  3. iii.Connect one lead of the insulation tester to the main earthing bar (MEN link disconnected) and the other lead to the actives and neutrals connected together.
  4. iv.Measure the insulation resistance of the total installation.
  5. v.Results:
  6. vi.Ensure that all CCTS and the MEN connection are reconnected when the testing is complete.
  • If the insulation resistance is 1 M Ω or greater then reconnect the MEN link and return the installation to normal.
  • If the insulation resistance is less than 1 M Ω then test all CCTS individually.

e)Earth electrode, main earth, polarity (combined)#

  1. i.For earth electrode, perform visual inspection to look for evidence of corrosion, damage or poor connection.
  2. ii.For main earthing conductor, perform visual inspection and confirm that:
  3. iii.Identify the incoming mains cables, and visually check the active is connected to the current limiting device (main fuse) and the neutral is connected to the neutral bar.
  4. iv.Disconnect the main earthing conductor at once established alternative earth exists, using:
  5. v.Place Ohmmeter between (end of main earthing conductor) and (body of earthing electrode). The resistance of the main earth conductor shall be 0.5 Ω or less according to Wiring Rules Clause 8.3.5.2.
  6. vi.Test voltage between and Note this must be 230 – 240 Vac.
  7. vii.Test voltage between and Note this must be 0 V.
  8. viii.Test voltage between and Note this must be 230 – 240 Vac.
  9. ix.If test voltage for steps vii. and viii. of this test sequence e) are as follows, then polarity is reversed and this needs to be corrected immediately:
  10. x.Reconnect main earthing conductor to earth bar.
  • main earthing conductor is correct size
  • main earthing conductor is connected to the earth electrode by a suitable corrosion resistant connection
  • main earthing conductor terminations are accessible
  • connections are mechanically sounds and fixed to a secure system
  • connections are protected against mechanical damage, corrosion or vibration
  • connections do not impose any appreciable mechanical stress on components
  • main earthing conductor is correctly connected at the switchboard (where applicable)
  • labelling of the main earth connection is correct.
  • Earth Continuity test (refer to test sequence b))
  • Step vii. = 230 – 240 Vac
  • Step viii = 0 Vac

f)Correct circuit connections#

  1. i.Prove that the active, neutral and protective earthing conductors of each circuit are correctly connected so that there is no:
  • short circuit between conductors
  • transposition of conductors that could result in the earthing system and any exposed conductive parts of the electrical installation becoming live
  • interconnection of conductors between different CCTS.

g)Earth Fault Loop Impedance (each light to be tested individually requires circuit to be energised)#

  1. i.Confirm light switch is ON and the light is energised.
  2. ii.Connect Loop Tester at the road light on each run. Measure EFLI at load side of the switch (if there is no isolation switch, test on the load side of the terminals).
  3. iii.Take a reading.
  4. iv.Record the type and amp rating of the protective device.

Readings can be affected by external factors on the supply side. Further testing may be required if readings are high and do not meet the requirements of Wiring Rules. It is recommended to retrofit isolator before or after testing if none present.

h)Earth leakage – each run (requires circuit to be energised)#

  1. i.Use two clamp meters (A and B) to determine current differential for each run.
  2. ii.Connect clamp meters A and B around used actives and neutral only.
  3. iii.Complete test sequence as per table shown in Figure C Road lighting (De-energised) in this manual.
  4. iv.Where leakage is noted to be greater than 10 mA, trace leakage back to faulty equipment and rectify (risk to be assessed in conjunction with road safety risk).

i)Infrared thermal imaging (requires circuit to be energised)#

  1. i.In accordance with AS/NZS 3019 Clause 5.8, equipment is to operate under normal operating loads for at least 30 minutes.
  2. ii.Measure the temperature of the equipment components using the infrared thermal imaging equipment.
  3. iii.Determine if any equipment is affected by excessive rise in temperature. If high temperature values are measured, rectify installation. Retest equipment components including use of infrared thermal imaging equipment.

Drawings from the original pages

Page 23 of TRUM Vol 4 Part 6p. 23
Source: TRUM Vol 4 Part 6 · pages 21–24 Open PDF at this page Search this document