Inspection of electrical installations in accordance with VdS 2871 and DGUV V3, as well as photovoltaic systems

Our experts will carry these out for you and provide you with specialist support during the planning and installation phases. This ensures you comply with all insurance requirements and guarantees the highest level of personal, property and fire safety within your organisation in the long term. It also ensures the continued availability of your systems. Combined inspections save you time and money.

• Inspection of electrical installations in accordance with the guidelines of property insurers (VdS 2871) pursuant to Fire Protection Clause 3602
• Inspection of fixed electrical installations in accordance with the requirements of the employers’ liability insurance associations (DGUV V3)
• Documentation of test results, including an assessment of operational safety
• Technical support during the planning and installation phases, as well as inspections carried out throughout the construction process

• Compliance with requirements: They meet the requirements set by insurance companies.
• Greater safety: They prevent serious fires.
• Competitive advantages: You ensure that your electrical systems remain highly available and prevent production downtime.
• Planning certainty: You avoid costly changes by seeking expert support from our specialists right from the planning and installation stages of your systems.
• Cost savings: You reduce the overall workload and your costs through combined testing.

Virtually every fire insurer requires building and facility operators to have electrical installations inspected regularly by VdS-accredited experts. Inspections in accordance with Fire Protection Clause 3602 should be carried out annually or every two years (in consultation with the insurer). The scope of the inspections complies with VdS Guideline 2871. The primary aim is to minimise fire risks posed by the electrical installation and to limit the spread of fires during operation.

• Carrying out the tests in accordance with VdS Guideline 2871
• Documentation and evaluation of the test results
• Assessment of the overall condition of the electrical installation

The frequency of the inspection is specified in the insurance terms and conditions. The scope of the inspection is set out in VdS Guideline 2871. All areas are inspected in accordance with the insured risk! Where only part of a premises is let, this may vary if so stipulated in the insurance terms and conditions.

The TÜV NORD expert checks all distribution systems and ensures that the documentation corresponds to the measurement reports provided by the qualified electrical contractor and is plausible. From VdS Guideline 2871: As a general rule, the entire risk site must be inspected. In complex installations, the insurer may have agreed with the policyholder on individual test sections for a risk location. Each test section must be inspected in full in accordance with VdS Guideline 2871.

The inspection should focus in particular on the facilities and equipment listed below by way of example (where applicable):

• Transformer station, including the medium-voltage switchgear.
• All switchgear and distribution boards (e.g. main distribution boards, sub-distribution boards, control cabinets, and installation and machine distribution boards).
• Visible parts of the electrical installation of machinery (e.g. connections to motors, cable entries to equipment, cable and wiring routes, condition of heat-generating electrical equipment).
• The entire cable and wiring system from the feed-in point to the respective consumer, insofar as it is visible. In the case of false ceilings, an inspection must be carried out, where possible, at least at one point per operational area (by opening the ceiling); in the case of cable ducts and shafts, at least at one point per duct.
• Necessary compartmentalisation and measures to maintain functionality in connection with the electrical installation.
• The entire lighting system (installation, condition, labelling).
• Earthing and equipotential bonding measures.
• Surge protection.

It is helpful for the TÜV NORD expert to be accompanied by someone familiar with the premises. This could be the caretaker or the company responsible for maintaining the electrical installation.

The inspector should be accompanied by someone familiar with the premises to facilitate the inspection. A lack of local knowledge or an accompanying person may result in additional costs. It is important to ensure that access to the premises to be inspected, including server rooms and office areas, is guaranteed.

Please have the relevant documentation to hand: measurement reports or evidence of testing in accordance with DGUV V3 for fixed electrical installations and portable equipment. Please also provide information on specific areas, such as those at risk of explosion or fire.

Please provide us with the necessary ladders and work equipment. We will, of course, bring our own measuring equipment.

Portable equipment is assessed as part of a compliance check (documentary check) within the scope of the VdS test. The equipment is only tested if this has been specifically requested (see combined test).

In order to comply with personal safety requirements, the accident prevention regulations (UVV) of the employers’ liability insurance associations stipulate that electrical installations and equipment must be inspected at regular intervals. These regulations are based on DGUV Regulation 3.

• Technical support during the planning and construction phases
• Inspections carried out during construction
• Carrying out periodic inspections and inspections following significant modifications
• Documentation of test results, including an assessment of operational safety

Photovoltaic (PV) systems and energy storage solutions can reduce dependence on the central electricity grid. PV systems are being used increasingly frequently in industrial, commercial and domestic settings.
It is important for PV system operators to understand the system’s output, known as the ‘harvest’. A functional test of the system provides information on current solar irradiance levels, the correct functioning of the inverters and the potential operational status of the remote control connection.

All photovoltaic systems are subject to mandatory testing requirements in accordance with the Accident Prevention Regulations (DGUV). Property insurers may require additional tests, for example in accordance with VdS 3145.

• Review of the technical design documents, including the interface with other building systems, in accordance with the currently applicable building regulations
• Personal support during the planning and construction phases, if required
• Initial and periodic inspections
• Inspection in accordance with insurance requirements (VdS)
• Performance testing in accordance with DIN VDE 0126-23-1 (Category 2)
• Support with the preparation of risk assessments and safety concepts
• Preparation of bespoke reports and damage assessment reports
• Assessment of the effectiveness of protective measures for the safe operation of the installation

Lightning strikes cause significant damage to buildings and installations. A lightning protection system can often prevent this damage or at least reduce it significantly. Such a system consists of external lightning protection (air-termination systems, down conductors and earthing systems) as well as internal lightning protection (measures to protect installations and electrical and electronic equipment within buildings against overvoltage). The installation of a lightning protection system may be required as part of the planning permission, by property insurers or under the applicable regulations.

TÜV NORD inspects lightning protection and earthing systems not only after completion. Our experts also provide technical support during the planning, installation and execution of new builds and refurbishments. In this way, they ensure that lightning protection systems meet the requirements of the relevant standards in the DIN EN 62305 series (VDE 0185-305).

• Technical support during the planning and construction phases
• Carrying out initial and periodic inspections, as well as inspections following modifications
• Documentation of the test results

Thermographic inspections of electrical installations help you to identify the risk of failures at an early stage. They increase the availability of installations and prevent production downtime. This is why many property insurers make it compulsory to have inspections carried out by VdS-accredited thermographers.

A particular advantage of thermographic inspections is that they are carried out whilst the system is under load and live. You can allow operations to continue as normal.

Further information TÜV NORD Systems