Low Voltage Electrical Installations: Pre-Commissioning Verifications and Inspections
ITC5
1. OBJECT
This Instruction implements the provisions of Articles 18 and 20 of the Low Voltage Electrotechnical Regulations concerning verifications prior to commissioning and inspection of electrical installations within its scope.
2. ACTORS/AGENTS
2.1. Companies responsible for installation and operation must conduct pre-commissioning verifications of the facilities.
2.2. In accordance with Article 20 of the Regulation, and without prejudice to the powers held by the Public Administration staff to conduct inspections of low-voltage electrical installations, Control Organizations as defined in Royal Decree 2.200/1995 of December 28th, accredited for this regulation, must be provided.
3. PRE-VERIFICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Low voltage electrical installations must undergo verification prior to commissioning, following the methodology outlined in UNE 20,460 -6-61, as appropriate to their characteristics.
4. INSPECTIONS
The following low-voltage electrical installations, given their particular relevance, must be inspected by an inspection body to ensure regulatory compliance throughout their lifespan:
- Initial: Before commissioning of the facility.
- Periodic
4.1. Initial Inspections
The following facilities must be inspected upon completion, significant extensions, or alterations, and documented with the competent organ of the Autonomous Region:
- Industrial facilities requiring a project with an installed capacity exceeding 100 kW
- Crowded public premises
- Local fire or explosion hazards, class I, except garages with less 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 according to Section 4.1 above must undergo regular inspections every 5 years. Common residential buildings with a total installed power exceeding 100 kW must be inspected every 10 years.
5. PROCEDURE
5.1. Control bodies will inspect facilities based on the Implementing Regulation’s requirements and, where applicable, the technical documentation, using the defect classification criteria listed in the next section. The installation company may attend these inspections if they deem it appropriate.
5.2. Following the inspection, the Control Agency will issue an Inspection Certificate including the plant’s identification data and any defects, their classification, and the facility’s qualification, which may 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, stating that they should be addressed before the next inspection. This information may also serve statistical purposes and facilitate better control of installation companies.
5.2.2. Conditional
Issued when at least one serious defect is detected or minor defects from a previous inspection remain uncorrected. In this case:
- New facilities receiving this qualification cannot receive power until defects are corrected and a favorable rating is obtained.
- Facilities already in service are given a deadline, not exceeding 6 months, to correct the defects. If defects persist after this period, the Control Agency will submit the Certificate with a negative rating to the competent organ of the Autonomous Community.
5.2.3. Negative
Issued when at least one very serious defect is found. In this case:
- New facilities cannot enter service until defects are corrected and a favorable rating is obtained.
- A negative certificate will be issued for facilities already in service and immediately forwarded to the competent organ of the Autonomous Community.
6. CLASSIFICATION OF DEFECTS
Defects in the facilities are classified as very serious defects, major defects, and minor defects.
6.1. Very Serious Defect
Any defect that, based on reason and experience, poses an immediate danger to the safety of persons or property. This includes breaches of safety measures related to:
- Direct contact in any type of plant
- Public assembly areas
- Fire or explosion hazards
- Locations with special characteristics
- Facilities for special purposes
- Operating rooms and intervention halls
6.2. Serious Shortcomings
Defects that do not pose an immediate danger to persons or property but could lead to installation failure. This classification also includes defects that may substantially reduce the electrical installation’s utilization capacity. Examples of serious shortcomings include, but are not limited to:
- Lack of bonding where required
- Lack of adequate safety measures against indirect contact
- Lack of insulation in the facility
- Lack of adequate protection against short circuits and overloads in the conductor, considering the maximum allowable intensity based on their characteristics and installation conditions
- Lack of continuity of protective conductors
- Elevated earth resistance values concerning safety measures
- Defects in connecting protective conductors to the masses where such connections are mandatory
- Inadequate protection section for conductors
- Presence of flawed parts or points in the system that could cause malfunction or damage
- Inappropriate nature or characteristics of conductors used
- Lack of conductor section concerning the allowable voltage drop for anticipated loads
- Failure to identify “neutral” and “safety” conductors
- Use of materials, devices, or receivers that do not meet current specifications
- Extensions or modifications to a facility not addressed as per ITC-BT 04
- Lack of the mandated minimum number of circuits
- Successive repetition or accumulation of minor defects
6.3. Slight Defect
Any defect that poses no danger to persons or property, does not disrupt the facility’s operation, and where the deviation from the regulation has no significant impact on the effective use or operation of the facility.