Electrical Inspection, Testing and Certification Practice Exam 2026 – Comprehensive All-in-One Guide for Exam Success!

The continuity of protective conductors test is not required for SELV (Separated Extra Low Voltage) circuits because these circuits typically do not include protective conductors. SELV circuits are designed to operate at a low voltage, typically below 60V AC or 120V DC, and are inherently separated from the main supply system, which eliminates the need for protective earthing.

In SELV systems, the design minimizes the risks of electric shock and provides protection against indirect contact by insulating the supply and ensuring that the voltage remains safe under all fault conditions. Because of this, verifying the continuity of protective conductors is not applicable as the configurations and regulations governing SELV differ from those of higher voltage systems that frequently require such tests to ensure safety and compliance.

However, other testing methods, like insulation resistance tests, earth fault loop impedance tests, and voltage drop tests, are necessary to confirm the proper functioning and safety of SELV circuits, even though they may not require protective conductors.