PAT Testing

[dobbslc]

Your job is to test, mark, report and if necessary remove from service, that means unplugging it from the supply and marking as faulty. What happens after that is the owner's responsibility. If the school stipulate stuff must be tested, report the fail to them so they can take action. If you do all that you can't be sued because you've discharged your responsibilities.

That's great in a perfect world but for instance on a building site some people are thick enough to keep using a microwave or kettle that's "been tripping the cabin out for weeks"
I always cut the plug off and / or sling the item in the skip. It's far more likely someone will get a shock off something dangerous than moan about the cut off plug.
I wouldn't do this to someone's tools (drills, skill saws etc) but company owned gear likes fridges and microwaves get the chop!
Most of the time I'll fix the dodgy plug on a drill anyway!

 

[Brad93]

The new code of practice has now removed any reference to the term "portable" Even if it's bolted to the wall and has no flex the item must be tested. The issue was the gap in between periodic inspection of fixed wiring and PAT being things like hand dryers.

https://electrical.theiet.org/wirin...spection-and-testing-of-electrical-equipment/
Anybody considering testing things themselves should get a copy. It is well written and explains all the requirements from legal to the tests themselves.

It isn't law to follow it. Buy if you do you will not be in trouble unless negligent.

If you have a good electrical understand you probably don't need the c&g course. However the course was good and ultimately gives you a bit of paper that deems you competent.

My advice to all is to buy the book or borrow from the library ( they still exist!) Then either pay someone to get it done properly (specifically ask that bit be done according to the IET COP and check they do) or buy a basic tester (doesn't need to be fancy and record results, though very handy) and if you can't follow the book do the course.

I understand why there is distrust in PAT but sadly its actually because so many testers don't do it properly.

Visual is where most things fail and anybody can do that. And should be done as pre use inspection. After that it's usually earth bond tests due to a loose connection somewhere.

Ignoring PAT completely is a very unwise thing to do. If you just visually inspected and recorded results regularly you would likely not be in serious trouble should something happen. Do nothing and good luck when HSE com after you....

That’s in my list to buy

 

[Brad93]

In my experience sometimes it took cutting the plug off a tool to get it taken out of service. How many times I’ve been sent to site with a tool with a faulty trigger or a lead with a internal break, and it keeps passing on the pat machine but doesn’t actually work

 

[Exuptoy]

The thing is the Seaward can be set up to carry out the leakage test as part of the test schedule which tests the equipment for operation so again we come back to some pass certs not being worth the paper they're printed on!

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

Just been doing my training to be certified again for PAT inspections.

Dull dull stuff, on line and Zoom practical.

Plugs can be removed if certain failures are met. But it must not be cut off. It must be removed.

A plug can be cut off, if it is a moulded unit and the owner of the item has given permission. So a correct plug can be fitted. This must be logged in the PAT Log.

A plug Can be removed, if:

The continuing use is a threat the health. Broken, taped up etc.

It is using a non approved fixed adapter. But it should not be used anyway.

The use of a failed item is against sites H&S policy when dealing with PAT items.

The key point it must not be cut off.

A PAT inspector, must be briefed and aware of sites PAT Rules. EG what is to be done with failed items, what is subjected to a visual only etc.


Some sites I used to do, this is reference to visual only had all their tills and attached equipment on Lease Hire. So it was part of the lease that the supplying company would carry out a PAT inspection.

A PAT inspection is only valid at time of test.

A PAT inspection sticker is only valid for a year MAX.

Some item may require a more regular PAT Inspection. Hire equipment should be inspected and tested before each new hire. One site who would issues power tools as and when needed would but the tool through a PAT each time it was signed out.
Their logs were big.

Simply put a item with a removable plug can be subjected to a PAT Inspection. This is a grey area when dealing with ceiling lights with a plug to be used on a lighting rail. But on the course we were told, it the light is removed it would be a good thing to carry out a PAT inspection. Just to cover yourself.


Plus a sticker does not need to be only placed on a plug. A inspector may deem it necessary to place one on the equipment as well. A good example is a vending machine when the plug is hidden behind and hard to see. I always did one on the plug and if I thought it was prudent, one were it could be seen for the visual inspection.

All items tested must be logged and the details entered into a log book.

 

[addjunkie]

it comes down to the common sense of everyone.

And there is the problem, "common sense isnt that common"

Hence why we have all these things in place to protect folk from everything.

"Why did you keep using that faulty tool"

"Because I had a job to do and no one told me not too"

 

[Chris Snow]

Ultimately the tester has no right to cut or remove plugs unless the client has instructed that is the case.

Periodic inspection of fixed wiring (EICR) is the same. If there is threat to life it should be disconnected with the clients permission. If they refuse you report it (forget who to) and the DNO will come and disconnect their supply!

If you go around chopping up cables by without permission don't expect to be paid and expect be a bill for the damage.

 

[bricol]

And there is the problem, "common sense isnt that common"

Worldwide problem - exactly that phrase used by a very nice lady in a plant south of Bogota, Colombia when we were talking about their site safety presentation, which was in Spanish . . . which I don't speak

 

[bricol]

Just a thought - I'm sat at home using my work desktop computer, as I have been since March 24th - the PAT sticker on it says date of test was June 19 . . . now I'm not actually in the workplace . . . does it need retesting?

 

[brightspark]

Just a thought - I'm sat at home using my work desktop computer, as I have been since March 24th - the PAT sticker on it says date of test was June 19 . . . now I'm not actually in the workplace . . . does it need retesting?

by rights it needs testing if its the firms computer no matter where you use it . if its yours and its in your own home it doesn't matter if the transformer sets on fire or you get electrocuted wifey will be rubbing her hands and a claim put in for negligence

 

[bricol]

Just checked the other halves - (from a Law company) - October 19. Shes back in the office as of this week though, so it might not be used . . .

 

[jimbo84]

I got mine from ebay for about £25, an old seaward machine, it's plug in so does the higher 25a earth test and flash testing. Got it calibrated and it's fine. Don't do PAT testing but for that money they're handy to have on the van and it gets occasional use if I suspect an appliance is causing a fault.

 

[Chris Snow]

test was June 19

Most low risk it equipment is on a 3 year cycle.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

Most low risk it equipment is on a 3 year cycle.

Only if a documented, but still subjected to a visual once a year. This has to be documented.
If there are changes then it needs to be assessed and a new Inspection plan implemented.