Before any lighting system is accepted as complete, or preferably before the electricity is turned on, several tests should be conducted to ensure the quality of the components:
Insulation tests. The contractor should measure the conductor insulation resistance to ground of each lighting circuit using a 500-V megohm-range type instrument. A record should be made of each phase conductor’s resistance to ground. The circuits should measure a minimum of 250,000 Q resistance to ground before the power is turned on. The test should be arranged to test splices and all components of the circuit. Ground resistance test. Using an instrument designed for the purpose, the contractor should measure the resistance of each ground rod. A written record of the value should be signed and given to the inspector. Any ground rod with a resistance of 25 Q or less is acceptable. Additional ground rods, up to a maximum of three at each location, should be installed to reach the 25 Q.
High mast lowering test. Each high mast lighting assembly should be tested by completely raising and lowering the luminaire ring once. Further testing of the latching operation for top latch devices is necessary. Each luminaire ring should be unlatched, lowered a minimum of 6 ft (2 m), then raised and relatched a total of five times to demonstrate its acceptability.
Photocontroller test. The control circuit of the lighting system should be demonstrated to show it operates properly in both manual and automatic modes. The
Voltage tests. The supply voltage at the lighting control center should be measured and recorded. With the luminaires energized and at full brightness, the voltage at the last luminaire of the circuit should be measured to ensure no more than a 10 percent voltage drop is present.
