How do you verify earth continuity at a socket outlet?

• A. Measure the resistance between exposed metalwork and the earth conductor; ensure a low, acceptable R1+R2 value.
• B. Measure current at the socket with a plug-in tester.
• C. Check color of earth conductor.
• D. Visually inspect for green-yellow coating.

Answer: (A)

The test focuses on ensuring a continuous, low-resistance path from all exposed metalwork to the protective earth so a fault can trip the protective device quickly. The correct approach is to measure the resistance between the exposed metalwork of the socket outlet and the earth conductor and confirm the R1+R2 value is within the acceptable limit. This directly verifies the integrity of the earth path through wiring, connections, and the outlet itself.

The other options don’t verify continuity: measuring current at the socket with a plug-in tester doesn’t assess the actual earth path resistance; checking the color of the earth conductor or visually inspecting the green-yellow coating doesn’t confirm electrical continuity.