Why PAT test?
- Thread starter TonyW2
- Start date
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Immediate thought is that as they are portable so whats to stop them being used on an non RCD circuit.
Second thought they may fail an IR test
Third thought they mail fail the earth continuity test ie earth connection gone so the RCD wouldn't operate
Second thought they may fail an IR test
Third thought they mail fail the earth continuity test ie earth connection gone so the RCD wouldn't operate
RCDs fail.
RCDs don't protect against heat build up in bad joints.
RCDs don't detect an incorrectly rated fuse in the plug.
RCDs don't protect against heat build up in bad joints.
RCDs don't detect an incorrectly rated fuse in the plug.
C
cumbriahandyman
What equipment are you using and where is it located?
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P
Paul_C
Despite the impression one may be left with from some sources these days, the RCD is not a universal panacea.
Running a small office for a Charity, we have recently rewired with new CU and possess the usual collection of small domestic type equipment. (kitchen kettles etc, computers and vacuum cleaners.) The PAT test at £2-50 per item, (£5 per item when the cable is tested) seems a bit of a waste of time, as the purpose is to protect the workforce and I thought this would be achieved via the RDC protection.
Only our equipment is on the premises and it may not be removed
Only our equipment is on the premises and it may not be removed
P
Paul_C
Although an RCD provides a degree of added protection, it's still quite possible for somebody to be electrocuted on a circuit fed via one.
C
cumbriahandyman
You can do your own PAT, you are under no legal obligation to use an outsider.
A visual check is all that is needed in a simple office environment.
You will probably have been told that you need PAT annually, again this is not true.
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The main component in inspection and testing of in-service electrical equipment (PAT testing) is the inspection. One would hope this will include mechanical as well as electrical. Although there is no requirement for this. And it is the first line in the protection against an electric shock. The RCD will not stop one getting an electric shock it is hoped it will reduce the time (40ms) to a value which will not cause permanent damage. However should one receive a shock while for example being up a ladder, which caused one to let go, the RCD will not cushion the fall as one meets the ground.
The law does not say you should PAT test. It says you need to ensure you have a safe working environment and PAT testing is one way to show the HSE that you took every step you could reasonable be expected to ensuring the environment was safe.
In the main it is a get out of jail free card. And often the guy doing the testing only does a fraction of what should be done to comply with the regulations.
One typical example is the hand drier in the loo. Often fixed to the wall and wired to a fused connection unit. As a result hard for the guy inspecting and testing to complete his tests. Strictly speaking it is not portable so if he is contracted to "PAT" test he does not need to test. But it is "in-service electrical equipment" so still needs inspection and testing. Often it is part of a maintenance agreement so is covered by that. The same for the vending machines. But it is not part of the installation so is not covered by the inspection report.
Clearly some equipment is specialised and although the concrete batching plant may have wheels and is portable it would not be included in "PAT" testing and would have it's own service system where the electricians would it is hoped also check the operation of gate switches to ensure the plant can't start while some one is servicing it.
It does not matter if one is looking at guards on a grinder or a complete emergency stop system as the manager you need to show the HSE that you did your best to ensure a safe working environment. It could be as simple as a screw in the base of the tea boiler to stop it being tilted and so spilling boiling water.
The firm I worked for had a huge pay out because the safety switches were the wrong colour. They were black instead of red and/or yellow so the electrician removed them without realising the safety issue. The machine started while being maintained crushing a workers hand.
As the manager you want to be able to point the finger to some one other than yourself and say "It was his fault" so averting any prison sentence for yourself.
Do be aware the managers exam is separate to the electricians exam for inspection and testing of in-service electrical equipment. As the manager it is up to you to maintain records like the equipment register.
The law does not say you should PAT test. It says you need to ensure you have a safe working environment and PAT testing is one way to show the HSE that you took every step you could reasonable be expected to ensuring the environment was safe.
In the main it is a get out of jail free card. And often the guy doing the testing only does a fraction of what should be done to comply with the regulations.
One typical example is the hand drier in the loo. Often fixed to the wall and wired to a fused connection unit. As a result hard for the guy inspecting and testing to complete his tests. Strictly speaking it is not portable so if he is contracted to "PAT" test he does not need to test. But it is "in-service electrical equipment" so still needs inspection and testing. Often it is part of a maintenance agreement so is covered by that. The same for the vending machines. But it is not part of the installation so is not covered by the inspection report.
Clearly some equipment is specialised and although the concrete batching plant may have wheels and is portable it would not be included in "PAT" testing and would have it's own service system where the electricians would it is hoped also check the operation of gate switches to ensure the plant can't start while some one is servicing it.
It does not matter if one is looking at guards on a grinder or a complete emergency stop system as the manager you need to show the HSE that you did your best to ensure a safe working environment. It could be as simple as a screw in the base of the tea boiler to stop it being tilted and so spilling boiling water.
The firm I worked for had a huge pay out because the safety switches were the wrong colour. They were black instead of red and/or yellow so the electrician removed them without realising the safety issue. The machine started while being maintained crushing a workers hand.
As the manager you want to be able to point the finger to some one other than yourself and say "It was his fault" so averting any prison sentence for yourself.
Do be aware the managers exam is separate to the electricians exam for inspection and testing of in-service electrical equipment. As the manager it is up to you to maintain records like the equipment register.
C
cumbriahandyman
Have a look at what the HSE has to say on the subject.
http://www.hse.gov.uk/myth/july.htm
Download this for some bedtime reading.
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg236.pdf
Right firstly let me say i do carry out PAT's for people so i have an interest. However although cumbriahandyman is correct in what he states and links to i sense that he/she is not a PAT fan.
Not everything needs testing each year, it depends on the location and the type of appliance. However economics come into this. Most PAT testers will have a minimum charge and to come out to do a few Inspections one year a few tests the next a few test and inspections every now and then will probably work out more expensive in the long run for the client.
Second the things i have found on a PAT are quite frightening, as Ericmark states most faults are found on the visual inspection. For example an ex tennant wired the hob ignition Live to earth Earth to neutral and neutral to live and switched it off ready for the next tennant or probably they thought landlord to turn it on.
A lawn mower extension lead wired so the live pins where on the supply end. Anyone picking that up in the garden hot summer day no shoes well need i say more.
A brass lamp fitting not earthed with a loose live terminal and the hundreds and hundreds of 13A fuses fitted to 3A light fittings.
Plug your 5A rated leads into your 13A kettle maybe nothing maybe a fire.
If you dont know the dangers that any of the above cause a) your not alone and B) dont knock a professional who does and is charging for the time it takes to check your appliances are safe and help you protect yourself/employees/guests from injury and subsequent actions/results.
So yes it does p*ss me off when i hear people saying PAT is an expensive waste of time, it costs less than a carpet shampoo, a tank of petrol a good meal out for two a family night out at the pictures etc etc and it does save lives.
Not everything needs testing each year, it depends on the location and the type of appliance. However economics come into this. Most PAT testers will have a minimum charge and to come out to do a few Inspections one year a few tests the next a few test and inspections every now and then will probably work out more expensive in the long run for the client.
Second the things i have found on a PAT are quite frightening, as Ericmark states most faults are found on the visual inspection. For example an ex tennant wired the hob ignition Live to earth Earth to neutral and neutral to live and switched it off ready for the next tennant or probably they thought landlord to turn it on.
A lawn mower extension lead wired so the live pins where on the supply end. Anyone picking that up in the garden hot summer day no shoes well need i say more.
A brass lamp fitting not earthed with a loose live terminal and the hundreds and hundreds of 13A fuses fitted to 3A light fittings.
Plug your 5A rated leads into your 13A kettle maybe nothing maybe a fire.
If you dont know the dangers that any of the above cause a) your not alone and B) dont knock a professional who does and is charging for the time it takes to check your appliances are safe and help you protect yourself/employees/guests from injury and subsequent actions/results.
So yes it does p*ss me off when i hear people saying PAT is an expensive waste of time, it costs less than a carpet shampoo, a tank of petrol a good meal out for two a family night out at the pictures etc etc and it does save lives.
C
cumbriahandyman
I am all for PAT, and I have also found some horrors when I did them.
What I was pointing out was the HSEs slant on things for a small office such as the OP has.
As a charity, they will always be looking to save a few pennies, and as such he can do them himself or get a member of staff trained.
My apologies to cumbriahandyman i agree the OP could get someone trained to do it.
But to the OP either get someone trained or pay for someone to do it. Just dont ignore it and think its a waste of time, it really isnt. Also if you only have a few items then think about the costs. The training say about £200 per person, whats your staff turnover, a decent bit of testing kit which will provide a good auditable trail of results another 300 ish then you have the time out for training and the time to do the job correctly, add your own figures and see which is the most cost effective option.
But to the OP either get someone trained or pay for someone to do it. Just dont ignore it and think its a waste of time, it really isnt. Also if you only have a few items then think about the costs. The training say about £200 per person, whats your staff turnover, a decent bit of testing kit which will provide a good auditable trail of results another 300 ish then you have the time out for training and the time to do the job correctly, add your own figures and see which is the most cost effective option.
A
Alarm
I just love it when Mr P Test comes along and scratches the equipment fiitted to get a good reading.
Not that a decent DVR can cost over £2000.00 matters!
Not that a decent DVR can cost over £2000.00 matters!
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