COC filled in example

**skatingsparks** · 15-Apr-14, 07:34 AM

Just write down ALL test results. Yes people will say "that will take ages" but if your testing like you are supposed to be then yes it takes ages. That's why it costs, you pay for someone time to do it properly and with a full set of test results signed off, you are accountable and the electrician is covered, assuming he hasn't made them up. If he made them up and there is problem he has those signed off/made up (delete applicable) to come to back to which will either burying him(if he made them up) or cover him (if they were tested the right way).

Have folders full of scribbled down test results in my own test sheet which I have kept just in case. The info you put on the COC is not enough. You just put in the worst case scenario for earth continuity? What good is that. If there was ever any dispute I don't think you would remember at what point you tested for that single number. Also with Eskom messing around with things I have had an incoming earth vanish after they dug up the road to connect a new supply and didn't reconnect properly. Careful what you sign people.... It's like signing a document when all the terms and conditions are not checked.

**Sparks** · 16-Apr-14, 09:36 AM

Originally Posted by skatingsparks

Just write down ALL test results.

Have folders full of scribbled down test results in my own test sheet which I have kept just in case. The info you put on the COC is not enough. You just put in the worst case scenario for earth continuity? What good is that. If there was ever any dispute I don't think you would remember at what point you tested for that single number. Also with Eskom messing around with things I have had an incoming earth vanish after they dug up the road to connect a new supply and didn't reconnect properly. Careful what you sign people.... It's like signing a document when all the terms and conditions are not checked.

That's the way to go skatingsparks. My COC does not get to site. I have my own spreadsheet which I fill in and then when at my desk I complete the COC which then stays clean and presentable. I keep my spreadsheets with all my readings on an external drive. A COC takes long to complete and the smell and filth in some places are such that I don"t want to waste time there completing the COC. Earth continuity readings at all points of consumption are recorded not only because they should be but also to cover myself as you said. I also make notes of any recommendations I have made based on what I find on the site. Besides the photographic records I keep

**ians** · 10-Apr-14, 08:35 AM

If only someone who knew what they where doing could design a COC for the industry and have a document for each industry, domestic, commercial and another for industrial. A basic computerised document which has add ons for industry specific and additional equipment DBs etc.

**Sparks** · 10-Apr-14, 02:41 AM

VIVA new SA, no more onbudsman, just DIY and some sod will pay you to do his house because you cheaper than the rest, VIVA new SA

**Justloadit** · 16-Apr-14, 01:24 PM

Sparks, How long do you keep the records?

**Dave A** · 16-Apr-14, 09:31 PM

Originally Posted by Justloadit

Sparks, How long do you keep the records?

We had one late last year where it was as well we'd kept our records of the previous test... done in 2005.

I'm not convinced it made any difference to issues of liability, but it certainly settled the argument in short order.

**Sparks** · 17-Apr-14, 08:19 AM

Because I store them on an external drive I will have them pretty much indefinitely. I keep my spreadsheet, photos and a scanned copy of the actual COC. I don"t have those from when I started out any more due to PC crashing but I learnt from it and now keep it on external drives

**gobbleteller** · 17-Apr-14, 01:59 PM

Sparks,

You should also maybe look into storing your COC data online, for example with IDrive where you get a free 5G account into which you can store all these. An external drive doesn't ensure your data is safe for ever. Cloud storage is the new way of storing your important data. Even if you are using a 3G modem to connect to the internet, documents are quite small in relation to movies or music and so it wont deplete your data bundle. Just a thought...

**Justloadit** · 17-Apr-14, 02:40 PM

The cloud box will become small once you start loading and pictures that may be taken, so bear this in mind.

**Sparks** · 22-Apr-14, 01:08 AM

Gobbleteller, I am aware of a few ways to store info online, however, I am still skeptical regarding security and availability. I am also suspicious of people who hound me to use their online storage. One of the online storage sites was recommended to me so I registered in order to find out more. I never stored anything there but was getting mail urging me to use it and then later I was given more free storage because of my "support". I am fortunate in that I have uncapped access to the web so uploading is not a problem. My main concerns are security and as I said availability. I have always set my gmail to retain a copy of all mail on the server. Unfortunately years of mail just disappeared.