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PROTECTIVE CONDUCTOR CURRENTS
When energized and in normal use, some electrical equipment causes current to flow in the circuit protective conductors. Such protective conductor current (previously referred to as leakage current) is often associated with filters and suppressors in items such as computers, fluorescent luminaires and telecommunications equipment, though it may also be associated with certain types of heating element.

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Heating Cables

Cables used for the distribution of electrical energy are generally designed to have a low resistance so that the passage of current causes minimum heating effect (I2R losses). However, by employing conductors made of a suitable resistive alloy, the passage of current in a cable may be used to purposely generate heat to transfer to the surroundings.

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Misuse of Periodic Inspection Reports

The correct use of Periodic Inspection Report forms has been explained in the Newsletter on a number of occasions, and is also covered in the NICEICs Inspection, Testing and Certification book (issued free to all Approved Contractors) and in the notes accompanying all certificate and report forms supplied by the NICEIC. Despite all this guidance, cases of the misuse of NICEIC Periodic Inspection Reports continue to be reported.

The purpose of reports and certificates

The Periodic Inspection Report and the Electrical Installation Certificate are intended to serve two distinctly different purposes:

The purpose of a Periodic Inspection Report is to notify those responsible for an electrical installation which is already energized and in service of any factors impairing the safety of that installation, to enable them to decide what remedial action, if any, to take on the basis of the recommendations given in the report.
The purpose of an Electrical Installation Certificate is to provide a formal assurance from those responsible for the design, construction, and inspection and testing of new installation work (including alterations and additions to existing installations) that the work complies with the national standard for the safety of electrical installations, and is therefore safe to be put into service.
A Periodic Inspection Report does not provide a declaration by the designer or installer that the aspects of the work for which they were responsible comply with BS 7671. Also, cables and other items that are designed to be concealed cannot be inspected when construction is complete.

The key message is this: Other than in the most exceptional circumstances, it is not acceptable for a Periodic Inspection Report to be issued for new installation work as a substitute for an Electrical Installation Certificate...

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