PAT Testing Explained | What you do and what you don't need! Electrical Safety
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- čas přidán 27. 07. 2024
- A short explaination of PAT testing (Portable Appliance Testing) and what you do and don't need to do in the workplace for electricl safety.
An excellent simple to the point video. For beginners and even seasoned Testers there is a lot of sound advice given without the over complicated ‘Professorship’ talks by personnel who cannot get the subject matter over. Your video is simple easy to follow and SOUND advice for all. I commend this video for any seeking sound advice! Thanks for putting it up. David
You can still do an insulation resistance test on a class 2 although it is optional. Source: in service testing and inspecting of electrical equipment 5th edition page 72: table 10.2 and page 73 : section 10.6.1
Personally I think it doesn't hurt to just test it because you have no idea whats lurking underneath the insulated cables
Very helpful, easy to understand, and Knowledgable
Well explained. Makes sense.
I have found that most companies have their electrical items tested annually or if they are lucky enough every two years regardless of any recommendations from HSE or IET, this is due to their insurance company stipulating this and also stating that it can not be done in-house or by a person involved in the company or even associated with them, for example a friend of a staff member etc, insurance companies get out clause I guess, if they can get out of a payout they will.
Retest dates are now down to the duty holder to make a decision by risk assessment according to IET, so that takes the responsibility off of the tester/competent person to make that decision, and retest dates are no longer required on any test lables if used.
Also most insurance companies insist on a test for every electrical item that gets plugged into a mains power socket regardless of construction class, so even class two would need at the very least a formal visual inspection (FVI), but if any exposed metal parts then a insulation resistance (IR) test as well, and all tests must be recorded on a test report with certificate, lables optional.
No, the portable appliance tester is the device that you do the testing with (e.g. Metrel, Seaward). The appliances aren't necessarily portable -- they might be enormous.
Your testing device is portable. Ambiguity right from the start.
It's an appliance tester which is portable. The appliances themselves might be portable, or they might be huge, like refrigerators.
Thanks for the very informative video. I am an amateur musician and have been asked by some venues to provide proof of PA Testing of my equipment. This comprises portable fans, amplifiers and mixer desks supplied at 240V and 12V via double insulated AC adaptor plugs, electric guitars plus leads, microphones plus leads. I can understand that the 240V and 12V gear needs testing but what about the guitars and leads, please? As an amateur, I don't want to spend more than I have to.
Hi Ian, sorry for the delay in replying, i didn't get a notification!
As an amatuer guitarist myself i feel your pain.
Anything with a 3 pin plug that is not double insulated must have a visual inspection and ideally a test, double insulated items should have a visual inspection, as your gear is being moved frequently i would advise you to make a habit of checking it yourself pre-use.
No, guitars, pedals, mics etc. don't get tested as with the 12v stuff, just items like amps, PA's etc.
Hope this helps?
This is absolutely amazing. Great video. Thank you so much, Sir.
Many thanks, Clear and defined explanition on this, especially on the double insulated side.
Hi, Thanks for the video I have picked some good tips up. I am just about to test some musical equipment but have a few questions.
Some of the rack mounted equipment does not have any class 1 or 2 symbols but do seem to be 240v as they are powered with kettle leads.
This equipment is all from about the mid 90’s so maybe precede the symbols, do I need to test these and if so how do I know if they are class 1 or 2. Some of the other equipment are either 9 or 12v with power adapters. I know I need to visually inspect the adapters and label them, do I need to visually inspect the low voltage equipment and label and log them.
You should test the kettle leads you use with these gears. Depending on your testing machine, you may need to hook an earthing lead to an exposed metal from the gear to ensure earthing ground.
Brilliant video and great advice. Thank you.👍🏻
Thank you
I note your comment a piece of Electrical Equipment that is wired to a spur this still needs to be tested as an appliance the term portable appliance testing is no longer used and as such has been removed from the guidance in 2020.
On the second item the plug was double insulated. Do you test the USB and lead?
Thanks for the videos. I'm finding them really useful.
Your best bet is to visually inspection on the charger. Nothing to test on the lead as the output to the lead is D.C
I am wanting to make lamps at home, basically upcycling old tools like hand drills. Do they require to be PAT?
No, you will need to comply with the electrical equipment (safety) regulations and other manufacturing regulations
@@i-hseq7635 that's great thank you for your help and great video
If you take them anywhere like a workshop, hotel, residential facility, etc, you will find on most occasions they will require all appliances to have been tested before they're are allowed on site or into the building
Thank you, big help
Would pat tester recognize a reverse polarity on a sppliance
Thank you for your question, this video is intended for those with responsibilities for health and safety in the workplace and not an instructional how to on PAT. The answer is also not straight forward. when you sat PAT tester do you mean the person or the machine? some machines have a polarity test function, you could check the polarity by looking a the terminals if the plug/appliance isn't moulded. why do you ask? if you wan to know how to check the polarity of something then there are easier ways than buying a PAT machine with polarity function, from new UK/EU appliances would be wired correctly, it would only be if someone interferes with the appliance that polarity could have been reversed? or are you asking about extension leads?
On chargers I do test for electrical safety by testing for electrical leakage as the charge end is metal and is linked to the lead going in to the plug side. As depending on the fault in it as it may look 100%. But hi voltage can be at charge end.
Hi Alun, not sure which country you are form but we do not have high voltage coming out of our sockets in the UK, it is 230v which is considered low voltage. Regarding chargers, the iphone charger for example has an output of 5v so no chance of harm.
@@i-hseq7635 I did say plug end of charger. For leakage as is the charger a genuine or damaged.
@@i-hseq7635 The charger maybe defensive I have had iPads in dead with damaged chargers. Giving 85v out.
Absolutely no point in doing this. You will get no meaningful result. Please refer to the article from the portable appliance testing trade association article.
Could please advise what you recommend for small private landlords who provide fridge freezers and washing machines as they are heavy items to move about and thank you for the clarity 🙏
Although it is not a legal requirement the equipment must be in good working order. Without seeing the items or property i cannot safely advise you. You should get a local competent Electrician to check the property.
If its in Scotland a landlord needs to get it done. I think.
How much is the course for beginners
Excellent information
Don't get far before the first incorrect statement. Frequency of testing is the responsibility of the duty holder. It is not the responsibility of the competent person doing the testing.
Interesting observation, but in my experience the company would be unlikey to have the knowledge/background experience to make such a decision and would ask for advice. Also I find insurance often requires the testing to be completed annually regardless of necessity/informed advice.
@@adrianhaw4635 Thanks for that input about what happens in practice. It doesn't change the rules nor absolve duty holders of responsibility. Your point about insurance company conditions is also very very important. It would be foolish to apply HSE guidelines if it would invalidate insurance.
Unfortunately this video has out of date advice according to the latest 5 the edition of the regs. I believe that there is now a requirement for hard wired devices, especially class 1 to be tested by accessing the wiring through the switched fused spur. This means testers need to be aware of how to safely isolate and lock off the supply to the device as well as a degree of competence in connecting the tester to the unwired device. This change could be well beyond the capabilities of some people who have undergone formal Pat training but are not electricians. The regs have dropped the name Pat to in-service inspection and testing of electrical appliances and do concentrate on assessing the necessary frqency of testing as in the video as well as only visual checking of class 2 devices.
New equipment shouldn't need testing but Chinese products purchased on eBay maybe class 1 but have been found to have the earth bond wire not connected to the metal case, or even no earth bonding. Also the UK plug provided can be un fused, too small , and have totally incorrect pin sizes.
Hi Adrian, the electricity at work act 1989 has not changed, however you are correct the IET code of practice is now in its 5th edition and recommends all appliances are checked as you state.
Thank you for your reply
Unfortunately your information is incorrect. Firstly there are no “regs” just a code of practice which is only “guidance” - you do not have to test to the code of practice but is seen as the best guide of how to.
The new 5th edition code of practice does explain that the many different types of appliance “can” be tested in a particular way but it does not mean that everyone has to do it that way. If you are a PAT tester and all you do is test “portable” items with plugs then you are perfectly within your right to do so.
Also the word PAT was never in any copy of the code of practice.
I was surprised to see your comment pop up after 2 years. I will look at the advice on checking apliances hard wired through a fused spur as it concerned me, and would be a major change to what has been suggested in previous literature. If I can locate the advice I will post it.
As regarding new equipment I will always check class I appliances suspected to have been made in China as these products certainly are supplied with either no earthing or the earth wire not bonded to the metalwork. I have seen many instances of this failure. All told the idea is to assess electrical appliances for safe use in a public environment and to carefully select the frequency at which these tests/visual inspections are made. Regards from Adrian.@@caterhampattesting
What do pat testing certificate look like info
Hi Keith, most Testing companies put stickers on each item indicting test date, next test date and a unique ID number. you should also then get a list of all items that have been tested with their serial number and next test date and, if they have passed/failed.
Thank you for the clarity 🙏 could you please advise what you recommend for private landlords with fridge freezers and washing machines in their property
Incorrect -- Class 2 appliances with exposed metal parts should be insulation resistance tested with the test probe affixed to the metalwork
Yes, that jumped out at me too.
I would also agree with your observation@@macmerc1556
How much does Pat testing cost?
That depends on too much to answer… where, who, how many items?
Some companies do fixed fees and some charge per item.
pat test includes a visual look at item for damage so a label on it says its been tested. also the hard wired socket on an item say a hand dryer in a pub toilet is a socket and should be tested to make shore it is safe, or do you just not bother with this item, if you are competent you should test these items as you cannot as a business just forget them. a building when inspected only go's to the sockets.(hard wired is a socket) as a business you have a duty of care to everyone and must make shore all electrical items are safe, hard wired or not. pat is a poor name for the process of checking appliances, also safe systems of work forms more protection than pat testing. that's why its not law to have a pat test. the pat test can help with safe systems of work but not replace them. for
Why do people call plugs plug-tops?
I dont understand why you wouldnt electrically test a class 2 appliance. This is an option on all pat testers ive used and necessary in my opinion
Hi Susanna, thank you for your comment. so, you are carrying out an insulation resistance test on an appliance? The item i was referring to is a transformer therefore there is no physical connection between the windings and the outlet, the voltage is 5v. The point to this video is to debunk the many myths surrounding PAT, please feel free to look at this guidance from the UK HSE that clearly states you do not need to PAT Class 2 items. www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg236.pdf
But, if you are happy to charge people to test them anyway, or pay someone to test them, or spend your time testing your own ones feel free, do you know why you are doing it?
Hi Susanna, in some ways you are correct. An electrical drill for example maybe class 2, but have an exposed metal Chuck, in which case the class2 test would confirm good insulation between the wiring and exposed metal parts of the appliance. It also helps to generate a log of the appliances in use and that they have been visually checked, and have the correct fuse fitted. Quite a lot of power supplies for low voltage equipment eg laptops and other chargers have no exposed metal parts and so the latest regs suggest assessing the frequency of testing such devices, and of course there is a duty of care for all users of electrical equipment to visually check the plug, wire and case and not use it if they find any defects.
I qualified C&G nvq level 3 electrical 10 years ago, mostly worked in hydro and currently wind. I’m thinking of a side hustle of PATesting to top up income. Do you think setting up a little business to operate a couple of days a fortnight is worth it in the long run? What is possible to earn at that time scale?
@@katiefinnegan4649 No
This HSE guidance is for low risk environments only. It is NOT general guidance for all circumstances. Please be a little more careful.
We are on the 5th edition regulations now so this video is no longer up to date so information is not correct!
you are very wrong!
Sorry but i got to 10 minutes before giving up. The editting proved awful, you duplicated words and having to get up constantly looking for things you should have to hand for a video like this is very unprofessional
I think you are misleading people there are regulations to follow not guess work.
Thank you for your comment Tony, i'm sorry to hear you think i am misleading people, as a qualified Safety Professional and also a qualified Electrician it's certainly not my intention, this short video is merely meant to debunk some myths around PAT... I am very aware of the Electricity at Work Act. the HSAWA, and the PUWER Regs, how exactly do you think i m misleading people? what part exactly?
@@i-hseq7635 May I ask what country you work in I may have misread the content?
@@i-hseq7635 Sorry i have researched your site and discovered you are from the UK i do apologise I was incorrect.
Thank you