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Inspection Methods for General Electrical Installations

Class 2 Electrician 第二種電気工事士 (written exam) · 第二種電気工事士(学科試験) · Written by Tokutei Pass based on the official study texts; not copied verbatim.

Completion Inspection Sequence and Using a Multimeter (Tester)

When electrical construction is completed, the inspection performed to verify that the installation conforms to technical standards and is safe to use is called a completion inspection. A completion inspection must always follow this sequence while de-energized (before turning on power): ① Visual inspection → ② Continuity test → ③ Insulation resistance measurement → ④ Ground resistance measurement; only after passing these is the circuit energized for voltage measurements.

In the initial visual inspection, you visually check that wiring devices and cables are undamaged and that polarity (white and black wires) and grounding wires are properly connected. In the subsequent continuity test, you use a circuit tester (multimeter) or bell set to check for broken wires or miswiring.

A circuit tester (multimeter) is a versatile instrument capable of measuring AC/DC voltage, DC current, and electrical resistance (continuity) in a single unit. When measuring resistance (Ω) with an analog tester, you must first touch (short-circuit) the tips of the red and black test leads together before measuring and perform a zero-ohm adjustment (0Ω adjustment) so that the pointer reads 0Ω.

The internal battery inside an analog circuit tester is used to supply current to the circuit during resistance measurement (continuity testing) (measuring voltage or current on an analog tester does not consume battery power). Additionally, when measuring an unknown voltage, always set the selector switch to the highest measurement range first to prevent damage to the meter.

Key points


  • Perform completion inspections in the order: Visual inspection → Continuity test → Insulation resistance → Ground resistance

  • A circuit tester (multimeter) can measure AC/DC voltage, DC current, and resistance (continuity) with one unit

  • Before measuring resistance with an analog tester, short the test leads together and perform a 0Ω adjustment

  • When measuring an unknown voltage, set the meter to the highest voltage range before starting the measurement
WordMeaning
completion inspection
continuity test
circuit tester (multimeter)
zero-ohm (0Ω) adjustment

Insulation Resistance Measurement (Megger) and Technical Standard Minimums

To check the insulation performance between wires or between wires and the earth (ground), an insulation resistance tester (Megger) is used. For low-voltage circuits, it applies a DC test voltage of 125V, 250V, or 500V, and the measurement is expressed in MΩ (megohms = 1,000,000Ω).

Memorizing the minimum acceptable insulation resistance values specified in Article 58 of the Ministerial Ordinance on Technical Standards for Electrical Equipment is mandatory: ① Circuits of 300V or less with a voltage to ground of 150V or less require 0.1MΩ or more; ② Circuits of 300V or less with a voltage to ground exceeding 150V require 0.2MΩ or more; ③ Low-voltage circuits exceeding 300V require 0.4MΩ or more.

The most common exam trap is the difference between a single-phase 3-wire 100/200V circuit and a three-phase 3-wire 200V circuit. Because the neutral wire of a single-phase 3-wire 100/200V system is grounded, its voltage to ground is 100V (150V or less), making the requirement 0.1MΩ or more. In contrast, a three-phase 3-wire 200V system (delta-connected with one phase grounded) has a voltage to ground of 200V (over 150V), so the requirement is 0.2MΩ or more.

When measuring insulation resistance, first open the branch circuit breaker to de-energize the circuit. When measuring between wires and earth (wire-to-ground), you can leave loads (lights and appliances) connected and turn switches ON to measure the entire circuit at once (connect the E terminal to the grounding wire and the L terminal to the circuit conductors).

Conversely, when measuring insulation resistance between wires (wire-to-wire), leaving loads connected would cause continuity (0MΩ) through the internal circuitry of the loads; therefore, you must disconnect all loads (remove bulbs and unplug appliances) and turn switches ON before measuring.

Insulation Resistance Measurement (Megger) and Technical Standard Minimums

Key points


  • Minimum insulation resistance: <= 150V to ground = 0.1MΩ or more; <= 300V (> 150V to ground) = 0.2MΩ or more; > 300V = 0.4MΩ or more

  • Single-phase 3-wire 100/200V has 100V to ground so it requires 0.1MΩ or more; three-phase 3-wire 200V requires 0.2MΩ or more

  • For wire-to-ground measurements, leave loads connected and turn switches ON

  • For wire-to-wire measurements, disconnect all loads and turn switches ON
WordMeaning
insulation resistance tester
Megger (insulation tester)
between wire and earth (wire-to-ground)
between wires (wire-to-wire)

Ground Resistance Measurement Using an Earth Tester

To measure the ground resistance value (such as 100Ω or less) between a buried grounding electrode (e.g., for Class D grounding) and the earth, a ground resistance tester (earth tester) is used (neither a multimeter nor an insulation resistance tester can measure ground resistance).

An earth tester has three terminals: E (grounding electrode under test), P (auxiliary potential electrode), and C (auxiliary current electrode). When measuring, drive the auxiliary grounding spikes into the soil in a straight line in the order E → P → C, spaced approximately 10m (5 to 10m) apart from one another.

The standard lead wire colors corresponding to the terminals are green for the E terminal, yellow for the P terminal, and red for the C terminal. Always place the P electrode immediately next to the E electrode (in the middle) and the C electrode farthest away (about 20m from E). Memorize the order from the inside out as E - P - C.

The proper measurement procedure is as follows: ① Check that the battery voltage is normal (battery check); ② Connect the E, P, and C leads and verify that the earth voltage (stray voltage in the ground caused by leakage currents, etc.) is below the allowable limit (approx. 10V or less); ③ Switch from a higher resistance range (such as 1000Ω) down to an appropriate range, press the measure button, and read the ground resistance value.

Ground Resistance Measurement Using an Earth Tester

Key points


  • Use a ground resistance tester (earth tester) to measure ground resistance

  • Place the electrodes in a straight line from the electrode under test (E) at roughly 10m intervals in the order E → P → C

  • Connect the green lead to E, the yellow lead to the middle electrode P (potential), and the red lead to the farthest electrode C (current)

  • Measurement procedure: Battery check → Place & connect auxiliary spikes → Check earth voltage → Measure ground resistance
WordMeaning
ground resistance tester (earth tester)
auxiliary grounding electrode (P and C spikes)
in a straight line
earth voltage (stray ground potential)

Checking Insulation Condition with a Clamp-Type Leakage Current Meter

When you need to verify the insulation condition of an energized circuit in an operating building, factory, or hospital where power cannot be shut off, use a clamp-type leakage current meter (leak clamp meter) instead of a Megger to measure the leakage current.

Under the Technical Standards for Electrical Equipment, when de-energizing a circuit is impractical, measuring a leakage current of 1mA or less is deemed equivalent to meeting the required insulation resistance values (0.1MΩ to 0.4MΩ or more) and passes inspection.

How to clamp the wires with a clamp-type leakage current meter is frequently tested via diagrams on the exam. To measure leakage current, you must either clamp all conductors of the same circuit together at once (both wires in single-phase 2-wire, or all three wires together in single-phase 3-wire or three-phase 3-wire) or clamp only the single grounding wire.

If you clamp only one wire of a single-phase 2-wire circuit, or only one or two wires of a three-phase 3-wire circuit, the meter will measure the normal load current rather than the leakage current (conversely, when you want to measure normal load current with a clamp ammeter, always clamp only a single wire).

Checking Insulation Condition with a Clamp-Type Leakage Current Meter

Key points


  • For live circuits where power cannot be shut off, check insulation condition using a clamp-type leakage current meter

  • A leakage current of 1mA or less is deemed to pass insulation performance requirements

  • To measure leakage current, clamp all circuit wires together (2 or 3 wires) or clamp a single grounding wire

  • To measure normal load current, clamp only a single wire (clamping multiple wires together will cancel out load current)
WordMeaning
clamp-type leakage current meter
leakage current
all together (clamped as a bundle)
load current

Connecting Voltmeters, Ammeters, and Wattmeters, and Uses of Measuring Instruments

How to connect meters to measure circuit voltage, current, and power is fundamental and frequently tested. Because a voltmeter (V) has a very high internal resistance, it must always be connected in parallel with the load. Because an ammeter (A) has a very low internal resistance, it must always be connected in series with the load (accidentally connecting an ammeter in parallel causes a short circuit and burns out the meter).

A wattmeter (W) used to measure single-phase AC active power contains two internal coils: a current coil and a voltage (potential) coil. The current coil is connected in series with the load, while the voltage coil is connected in parallel with the load. Note that to extend the measuring range of an ammeter, a shunt resistor or current transformer (CT) is used in parallel; for a voltmeter, a multiplier resistor or voltage transformer (VT) is used in series.

Be sure to distinguish the purposes of other specialized instruments: ① Phase rotation meter (phase detector): checks the phase sequence (direction of rotation R - S - T) of a three-phase AC power supply (used to prevent reverse rotation of motors). ② Voltage detector (neon tester / low-voltage detector): checks whether a wire is live (energized) and identifies the ungrounded (black) conductor.

③ Tachometer (or stroboscope): measures the rotational speed per minute (min⁻¹) of electric motors. ④ Illuminance meter (lux meter): measures the brightness (illuminance, in units of lx - lux) on a work surface. ⑤ Power factor meter: measures the power factor (cosφ) of an AC circuit.

Key points


  • Connect an ammeter in series with the load, and connect a voltmeter in parallel with the load

  • In a wattmeter, connect the current coil in series with the load and the voltage coil in parallel with the load

  • A phase rotation meter (検相器) checks three-phase sequence; a voltage detector (検電器) checks whether a line is live

  • A tachometer (回転計) measures motor rotational speed (min⁻¹); a lux meter (照度計) measures brightness (lx)
WordMeaning
wattmeter (power meter)
phase rotation meter (phase sequence indicator)
voltage detector (live-line tester)
illuminance meter (lux meter)
tachometer (rotational speed meter)

JIS Symbols for Indicating Meters and Watt-Hour Meter (WHM) Wiring

The dial face of analog indicating electrical meters displays JIS symbols indicating their operating principle, current type, and mounting position. ① Moving-coil type (horseshoe permanent magnet symbol): for DC (―) only, featuring a uniform scale and high sensitivity (when combined with a diode rectifier symbol, it becomes a rectifier type used for AC, such as AC voltage measurement in multimeters).

② Moving-iron type: usable for both AC and DC, and most widely used on switchboards as commercial-frequency AC (〜) ammeters and voltmeters. ③ Electrodynamometer type: usable for both AC and DC, primarily used as wattmeters. ④ Induction type: for AC (〜) only, used for watt-hour meters (WHM).

Symbols for meter mounting orientation are: ⊥ for vertical mounting (standing upright), ─ for horizontal mounting (lying flat), and ∠60° for inclined mounting (tilted at 60 degrees). Additionally, a number such as 2.5 on the scale plate indicates the accuracy class (allowable error within ±2.5% of the full-scale value).

Terminal wiring for a watt-hour meter (integrating wattmeter: WHM), which records energy consumption (kWh) in homes and shops, is also important. In a single-phase 2-wire system, terminals are wired from left to right as 1S (source black), 2S (source white = grounded), 2L (load white), and 1L (load black); in a single-phase 3-wire system, the neutral wire (white grounded wire) must always be connected to the center terminals (2S and 2L).

Key points


  • Moving-coil type is for DC only; moving-iron and electrodynamometer types work on both AC and DC

  • Induction type is for AC only and is used in watt-hour meters (WHM)

  • Meter orientation symbols: ⊥ indicates vertical mounting, and ─ indicates horizontal mounting

  • In a single-phase 3-wire watt-hour meter, the neutral wire (grounded white wire) must connect to the center terminals (2S and 2L)
WordMeaning
moving-coil type (for DC)
moving-iron type (for AC and DC)
induction type (for AC - watt-hour meters)
watt-hour meter (electricity meter / WHM)

Frequent Exam Points and Memory Tricks

The minimum insulation resistance values (0.1MΩ, 0.2MΩ, 0.4MΩ) appear on every single exam. Memorize them as pairs: Both single-phase 100V and single-phase 3-wire 100/200V have a voltage to ground of 100V (150V or less), so both require 0.1MΩ or more; Three-phase 200V has a voltage to ground of 200V (over 150V), so it requires 0.2MΩ or more; 400V-class circuits (over 300V) require 0.4MΩ or more.

For Megger testing conditions: Wire-to-ground is measured with loads connected and switches ON; Wire-to-wire is measured with all loads disconnected and switches ON. Once you understand why—if a lightbulb remains connected, the black and white wires are connected through the filament and look like a short circuit during a wire-to-wire test—you will never mix them up.

For the earth tester, remember: E (green) - P (yellow) - C (red) in a straight line 10m apart. For clamp meters: Clamp all wires together to measure leakage current (1mA or less passes), and clamp just 1 wire to measure load current.

Key points


  • Insulation resistance: 1-phase 100V & 1-phase 3-wire 100/200V >= 0.1MΩ; 3-phase 200V >= 0.2MΩ; over 300V >= 0.4MΩ

  • Megger testing: switches always ON. Leave loads connected for wire-to-ground; disconnect all loads for wire-to-wire

  • Earth tester: place in a straight line ~10m apart in the order E (test electrode) → P (potential) → C (current)

  • Clamp leakage meter: clamp all wires together (or 1 grounding wire); 1mA or less passes inspection

  • Meters: Ammeter = series, Voltmeter = parallel. Moving-coil = DC, Moving-iron = AC/DC, Induction = AC (WHM)
WordMeaning
minimum insulation resistance value
bundle clamping (clamping all wires together)
phase sequence (phase rotation)

Inspection & Measurement

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