DGUV regulation 3 for testing sockets
1. Why do outlets need to be checked?
The regular testing of electrical devices and electrical systems is a legal obligation for all companies and public institutions. The basis for this is DGUV Regulation 3 (formerly BGV A3), the Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health (BetrSichV), the Technical Rules for Operational Safety (TRBS 1201) and the standards DIN VDE 0105-100 (operation of electrical systems - maintaining proper condition) as well as VDE 0701 and 0702 (inspection after repair, modification of electrical devices - periodic testing of electrical devices). If an untested electrical system or appliance causes a fire or electrocutes an employee, insurance cover may be lost. In addition to the liability of those responsible in the event of damage, there is also the safety of employees, guests, residents or patients.
What is electrical equipment?
According to DGVU V3 §2 (1), “electrical equipment in the sense of the accident prevention regulation is all objects that, as a whole or in individual parts, are used to apply electrical energy (e.g. objects for generating, forwarding, distributing, storing, measuring, converting and consuming) or serve the transmission, distribution and processing of information (e.g. items of telecommunications and information technology).”
It is usually divided into the following categories:
- Portable electrical equipment
- Stationary electrical equipment
- Electrical systems
2. When and how often do sockets have to be checked?
According to the standards and guidelines mentioned above (DGUV V3, BetrSichV, TRBS 1201, DIN VDE 0105-100 / VDE 0701 and 0702), the operators or companies must ensure that electrical stationary and mobile equipment and systems are tested regularly ( so-called repeat tests). This is the only way to ensure that the electrical devices, machines and systems are in proper condition.
Stationary electrical equipment is equipment that is permanently installed or equipment that does not have a carrying device and whose mass is so great that it cannot be moved easily. This also includes electrical equipment that is temporarily fixed and is operated via flexible connecting cables. (e.g. final circuits with permanently installed sockets in the wall).
Portable electrical equipment is equipment that is moved during operation or that can be easily moved from one place to another while connected to the power supply (e.g. multiple sockets with extension cords).
Fixed equipment (electrical systems) are every 4 years and portable electrical devices must be subjected to a repeat test every 2 years. According to the Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health (BetrSichV), the company (managing director and/or owner) must ensure that the electrical systems and equipment are checked to ensure they are in proper condition. The recommended test intervals of 4 or 2 years can be extended or shortened as part of a risk assessment.
| system / equipment | test period | Kind of exam | tester | |
| Electrical systems and stationary equipment | 4 years | In good condition | electrician | |
| Electrical systems and stationary electrical equipment in "business premises, rooms and systems of a special kind" (DIN VDE 0100 group 700) | 1 year | In good condition | electrician | |
| Protective measures with residual current protective devices in non-stationary systems | 1 month | On effectiveness | Electrician or person trained in electrical engineering when using suitable measuring and testing devices | |
|
Residual current, residual current and residual voltage circuit breakers |
|
6 months | For perfect function by operating the test device | user |
|
working day | For perfect function by operating the test device | user |
3. How are the sockets checked and who is allowed to check?
Stationary equipment and thus also stationary sockets in final circuits are tested using so-called installation testers. On the other hand, so-called device testers are used to test mobile electrical devices (sometimes also stationary).
Stationary equipment or electrical systems may only be tested by qualified electricians, while mobile equipment (electrical devices) may theoretically also be tested by electrically trained persons (EuP).
The test includes the following three steps, which are also specified in the DIN VDE regulations:
- Inspection: Visual inspection for damage or improper use
- Testing: functional test
- Measuring: Carrying out the prescribed measurements (e.g. insulation faults, protective conductor faults, ground faults)
The test is usually documented in print and file form (xls, pdf) and contains all test reports, an inventory list, possible errors and a schedule for the repeat test. In the event of damage, precise information about the electrical installation is possible and an overview of the repeat tests that have been carried out and are planned.
4. Have my sockets been checked?
A look under the power strip is enough to determine whether the sockets at your workplace have been checked in a timely manner and properly. There is usually a sticker with the relevant data attached.
5. What is the procedure for sockets that cannot be reached?
Sockets that are not accessible, for example due to a conversion, are recorded in the electrician's test report and the company is advised to make them accessible at the next appointment. The accessibility of the socket is primarily used for visual inspection and for testing the protective conductor resistance. The electrician decides on site whether the other measurements to be carried out (e.g. insulation resistance measurement, fault loop impedance measurement) can be implemented using another accessible socket, so that a standard-compliant test (with the exception of the visual and protective conductor tests that cannot be carried out) can be carried out.
6. Are partial exams possible?
Portable devices must always be tested repeatedly according to VDE 0701 and 0702. DIN VDE 0105-100, on the other hand, allows repeat tests in the form of random samples, but this is absolutely not recommended! For example, who is responsible if a failure in an uncontrolled unit leads to an accident? And who determines the number of samples? The fact is that a partial test cannot guarantee that all defects and deficiencies have been discovered. DIN VDE 0105-100 transfers responsibility to the testing technician or the client company. Companies that agree to a partial test bear the responsibility and cannot rely on the legal certainty of the random electrical test carried out. It is decided on a case-by-case basis whether insurance companies and professional associations find the assessment that led to the partial test plausible in the event of damage or whether the company has carried out an insufficient electrical test for cost reasons. With a complete electrical test, the company is on the safe side and meets the requirements for occupational safety.
7. Is it possible to simplify testing every socket?
The repeat test of portable equipment must be carried out in any case. Modern device testers VDE 701/702 have an automated test procedure and signal the test result with a positive or negative display. This test procedure offers little scope for optimization because the automated test sequence only takes about 1-2 minutes.
In the case of stationary systems, however, there is considerable interest in reducing the many partial tests based on VDE 0100-600 (construction of low-voltage systems, part 6: tests), because the test can often only be carried out when the system is switched off (insulation measurement). A shutdown is particularly critical when it comes to industrial plants or data centers, which must be 100% available.
The VDE0100-600 also offers an exception here. Switching off can be dispensed with under the following circumstances: (...) If a circuit is constantly monitored by a residual current monitoring device (RCM) according to EN 62020 (VDE 0663) or an insulation monitoring device according to DIN EN 61557-8 (VDE 0413-8). and these monitoring devices are working properly, there is no need to measure the insulation resistance. (...)
Since a repeat test covers the entire electrical system, the addressed residual current sensors must be distributed granularly in the system, i.e. in the low-voltage main distribution board (NSHV), and the sub-distribution boards (UV) and possibly even in so-called third-party distribution boards (PDU - Power Distribution Unit) as used in data centers.
8. What are the costs for companies?
According to DGUV regulation 3, the inspection of mobile electrical equipment, such as sockets, is mandatory for companies (also called E-Check or BGV A3 inspection). Only qualified electricians may carry out the repeat tests according to DGUV V3. Fixed costs as well as variable costs are calculated for a test order. The fixed costs include, for example, the wages of the test technicians and employees in the office, costs of the test equipment, company cars, training courses and work clothes. The fixed costs are the same for the test orders and are borne by the test service company. The variable costs for testing according to DGUV regulation 3, on the other hand, are caused by the order. Since every workplace and every company is different, the time required for the so-called e-check according to DGUV regulation 3 varies depending on the test location. The prices depend on the time required or are calculated depending on the testing company for each piece of electrical equipment to be tested. If the calculation is based on the time spent and the test technician can easily reach the electrical devices, systems and machines, he can work quickly and reduce costs. If there are delays that affect his working speed, this may have an impact on the price. A fixed price is often agreed for each distributor/electrical equipment, as well as for each socket (distributor test, measurement Iso, Fi; loop impedance measurement). If many multiple sockets are used in the company or facility, this has a corresponding impact on the costs incurred. In addition, there are usually travel costs. A blanket statement can therefore not be made.
9. Conclusion
Stationary electrical equipment and mobile equipment must be checked at regular intervals. The consequences of a missing repeat test are serious in the event of damage (e.g. limited insurance cover). For this reason, the specified measurement and test intervals should be strictly adhered to. The aim of an electrical test / repeat test is to guarantee a legally compliant, tested company in terms of occupational safety for employees, customers and guests (occupational safety law ArbSchG). The testing effort, especially when testing stationary equipment or systems, can be optimized by installing residual current sensors.
Bachmann offers socket strips / PDUs with residual current monitors (RCM). The BlueNet series and the IT PDU Basics in particular impress with their performance, design and function. Find out more about the Bachmann BlueNet & IT PDUs.
10. Bachmann - Fixed socket outlets with residual current monitoring
Bachmann offers a wide portfolio of fixed / stationary socket strips with differential current monitoring. The socket strips are ideal for server rooms, among other things, and are assembled in modules. Decide for yourself how your socket is set up (including with or without RCM) and benefit from many advantages!