CHiLL Posted June 28, 2016 Posted June 28, 2016 I'm wondering that the best way PAT test devices that have chargers, such as laptops would be. We visually check the laptop, charger and power cable. We perform a full cable test on the power cable. What is the best way to test the charger and laptop? Also, do different tests need to be done if the device uses a figure of 8 cable or a clover cable?
itssemi Posted June 28, 2016 Posted June 28, 2016 Hi, I would like to know aswell, how much other ppl are paying for pat test. And how often they are doing ? Does it include severs and switches aswell ?
Seb1780 Posted June 28, 2016 Posted June 28, 2016 I'm wondering that the best way PAT test devices that have chargers, such as laptops would be. We visually check the laptop, charger and power cable. We perform a full cable test on the power cable. What is the best way to test the charger and laptop? Also, do different tests need to be done if the device uses a figure of 8 cable or a clover cable? There is no need to test the output from the charger as it falls outside the requirements of PAT testing, a visual check of the casing and a functional check (does it charge?) will suffice. The earthing needs of the device will determine the type of power cord used, a PAT tester will know what to look for on each type. Hi, I would like to know aswell, how much other ppl are paying for pat test. And how often they are doing ? Does it include severs and switches aswell ? People pay a lot for PAT - £1 per device is not uncommon - and they pay electricians to do it! PAT testing courses to City & Guilds 2377 can be had for a couple of hundred quid. Even if you don't then do your own testing you will know what does and doesn't need to be tested and can save money that way. Servers and switches are not portable, so do not need Portable Appliance Testing! Source - 20+ years C&G PAT qualified 2
JATSO Posted June 28, 2016 Posted June 28, 2016 I'm wondering that the best way PAT test devices that have chargers, such as laptops would be. We visually check the laptop, charger and power cable. We perform a full cable test on the power cable. What is the best way to test the charger and laptop? Also, do different tests need to be done if the device uses a figure of 8 cable or a clover cable? All depends on the classification of the device, is it Class 1 or a Class 2 device and each has a series of tests that should be carried out. I PAT Test for my schools saves them a few quid. Have a look at this site. PAT Testing - Pat.org.uk 1
smithson83 Posted June 28, 2016 Posted June 28, 2016 Sorry to Hijack, but we've been talking about this in our school. Do you guys get everything PAT tested, every year, or do you have a rolling program to pick up the most damage prone more often, and other items less so?
JATSO Posted June 28, 2016 Posted June 28, 2016 Every Year, because the insurance companies and Auditors demand it.
smithson83 Posted June 28, 2016 Posted June 28, 2016 Even power cables in the back of a Laptop Cabinet, projectors etc? Ours only get moved (and subsequently put back in a mess) by our PAT testers
CHiLL Posted June 28, 2016 Author Posted June 28, 2016 All depends on the classification of the device, is it Class 1 or a Class 2 device and each has a series of tests that should be carried out. I PAT Test for my schools saves them a few quid. Have a look at this site. PAT Testing - Pat.org.uk But if it is a Class 2 device, how do I test it? Do I connect the power plug to the PAT testing device, the power jack into the laptop and test? Do I need to use the crocodile clip to test the earth? If so, where on earth on I connect it if there's no exposed metal?
Seb1780 Posted June 28, 2016 Posted June 28, 2016 As per the Health & Safety Exececutive document HSG107 here "The Regulations do not specify what needs to be done, by whom or how frequently (for example, they do not make it a legal requirement to test all portable electrical appliances every year). This allows the dutyholder to select precautions appropriate to the risk rather than having precautions imposed that may not be relevant to a particular work activity." A lot of money is spent by a lot of people testing things unnecessarily; and if your insurance or auditors are asking you to do it then ask them why!
Seb1780 Posted June 28, 2016 Posted June 28, 2016 But if it is a Class 2 device, how do I test it? Do I connect the power plug to the PAT testing device, the power jack into the laptop and test? Do I need to use the crocodile clip to test the earth? If so, where on earth on I connect it if there's no exposed metal? Spend some money on a proper training course to C&G 2377 and you will find all the answers to your questions - it really does pay for itself when it's time to negotiate a price with the local sparks. I am hesitant to give direct advice on these matters because I believe only a trained person should be carrying out the tests.
iom100 Posted June 28, 2016 Posted June 28, 2016 Servers and switches are not portable, so do not need Portable Appliance Testing! Not what I was taught. PAT stands for Portable Appliance Tester. i.e it's your tester that's portable, not your electrical devices. You're supposed to be testing everything that isn't tested by the people who test your fixed electrical installation. Of course stuff that doesn't move is probably less risky, so probably doesn't need testing so often.
HarryMonkey Posted June 28, 2016 Posted June 28, 2016 Servers and switches are not portable, so do not need Portable Appliance Testing! Why are they not portable. When I was trained we were told that if it has a three pin plug it's portable and therefore needs testing.
Fazza Posted June 28, 2016 Posted June 28, 2016 Not what I was taught. PAT stands for Portable Appliance Tester. i.e it's your tester that's portable, not your electrical devices. You're supposed to be testing everything that isn't tested by the people who test your fixed electrical installation. Of course stuff that doesn't move is probably less risky, so probably doesn't need testing so often. It's not what I was taught either! All of our Server have been PAT tested, along with all of our Desktop computers. For a desktop computer, monitor and server etc. it's a visual inspection every two years. The power leads (i.e. IEC power cables) are classed as appliances and wherever practicable they should be tested too - i.e. a desktop computer can be powered off so the lead can be removed and tested but a server on the other hand (in all likelyhood) needs to remain on so it's unlike the the power lead will get tested so just a visual inspection for a PAT test.
pcstru Posted June 28, 2016 Posted June 28, 2016 (edited) Not what I was taught. PAT stands for Portable Appliance Tester. i.e it's your tester that's portable, not your electrical devices. You're supposed to be testing everything that isn't tested by the people who test your fixed electrical installation. Errrr, Nope. (OK, I should be clear, you might have been taught that, but it's not definitive or common) Edited June 28, 2016 by pcstru
HarryMonkey Posted June 28, 2016 Posted June 28, 2016 Not what I was taught. PAT stands for Portable Appliance Tester. i.e it's your tester that's portable, not your electrical devices. You're supposed to be testing everything that isn't tested by the people who test your fixed electrical installation. Of course stuff that doesn't move is probably less risky, so probably doesn't need testing so often. Sorry but you were taught wrongly, it's Portable Appliance Testing. Nothing to do with the tester, everything to do with the device. UK PAT Testing and Portable Appliance Testing information directory
iom100 Posted June 28, 2016 Posted June 28, 2016 Think about it. Why do we talk about PAT testing? Which makes sense: Portable Appliance Testing testing, or Portable Appliance Tester testing? Semantics aside, you want to be testing (with differing frequencies according to risk), all your electrical devices whether 'portable' or not. I'd include those without a 3-pin plug too! I
Seb1780 Posted June 28, 2016 Posted June 28, 2016 (edited) There's a lot of mis-understanding. Portable Appliance Testing is not a legal requirement and a visual inspection every five years would suffice in many cases - especially for equipment that is rarely moved and located in "controlled" places. Take a look at the HSE website on the matter, in particular look at the case study and the HSE's own in-house PAT testing schedule (or lack of it!) http://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/faq-portable-appliance-testing.htm Edited June 28, 2016 by Seb1780 Added link
Seb1780 Posted June 28, 2016 Posted June 28, 2016 Why do we talk about PAT testing? Which makes sense: Portable Appliance Testing testing On this point you are quite right!
smithson83 Posted June 28, 2016 Posted June 28, 2016 (edited) Think about it. Why do we talk about PAT testing? Which makes sense: Portable Appliance Testing testing, or Portable Appliance Tester testing? PHP? Not everything needs to make sense... TWAIN? Nor does it have to be serious... Besides everyone one know PAT testing stands for... "PAT yourself on the back, and laugh all the way to the bank..." Edited June 28, 2016 by smithson83
JATSO Posted June 28, 2016 Posted June 28, 2016 As Seb1780 has said your probably better and safer doing a course as they will certify and show you how to correctly test. A Portable Appliance Tester pushes out 500v under some of the tests which is enough to kill you and render some of your equipment useless. Leave alone get trained and then decide if you want to include it as part of your skill set. Link below if you want to follow up. Good Luck City and Guilds, PASS and Business Start up PAT Testing Courses
Kingstech Posted June 29, 2016 Posted June 29, 2016 It is not called PAT testing anymore, is is now called "in-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment" Anything that is connected to the mains needs to be tested. It doesn't matter if it is connected with a plug or into a FSU, It all needs to be tested. But the frequency is the important bit. You need to get the code of practice 4th edition, That is when it all changed. Its all about risk assessing now. The City and Guilds course is when you need to go on and they will explain all about it.
kearton Posted June 29, 2016 Posted June 29, 2016 On this point you are quite right! The same people probably say "PIN Number"...
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