Inspection before energising

Check that basic protection is intact (insulation, enclosures, clearances) and that fault protection is in place (earth connections, RCD type and location). No live parts may be touchable during normal operation.

Check the choice of cable at penetrations and fire-stopped penetrations. In fire-rated buildings and escape routes, halogen-free cable (e.g. NHXMH) must be used, which does not give off corrosive gases in a fire.

Check that the cable type suits the environment: NYM-J indoors, NYY-J buried/outdoors, NHXMH in fire-rated buildings. The installation method is decisive for the cable's current-carrying capacity.

Check that the conductor cross-section and cable quality match the design according to the basic rule IZ ≥ In ≥ IB. Look up the specific figures in the calculator and DS/HD 60364-5-52 — never guess the current-carrying capacity.

Check the fuse characteristic (B/C/D), RCD rated residual operating current (max. 30 mA for personal protection) and RCD type. Type AC is not permitted in dwellings or for charging points — minimum type A.

Check that the earthing system (TN-S, TN-C-S, TT or IT) has been carried out as designed, and that the protective bonding has been taken to the main earthing terminal. Extraneous conductive parts (e.g. metallic pipework) must be equipotentially bonded.

Circuits, conductors (L/N/PE colours) and the distribution board must be clearly labelled, and the board's circuit diagram / circuit documentation must be present and up to date. Without documentation, the installation cannot be handed over lawfully.

Deviations from the project are noted in writing and clarified with the designer before the installation is put into use. The inspection results are transferred to the verification report. Only when the inspection is in order do you move on to testing with measurements.

Inspection before testing — that is the fixed order in DS/HD 60364-6.