What to PAT test

[User3204]

The Tech (Physics) in our school that does the PAT testing, does some as "visual inspections", if it looks okay, it is okay.

 

He has a list of stuff that doesn't need to be done until they've been in 3 years, IE PCs and monitors, which lets him not have to do all the computers. He doesn't do the laptops (it's that visual thing again), but he will do the Mickey/Kettle lead attached (but not the power adapter, unless it's been "fixed"). There is a lot of the 4way extensions that have been done, but when I last bought a few (they always go missing), he said they didn't need to be checked yet (not sure when he'll do them).

 

The amount of stuff he does throughout the rest of the school: sciences, technology, TVs, etc, though. We make students get stuff tested if they bring in electrical stuff, before we let them plug in.

 

 

...The git did fail a whole roomful of computers as I'd removed the back fingerplate to put in a security cable...'course this was 3 years after I'd done it...

[Sylv3r]

What happens with BSF - if you have people internally who currently do the PAT testing will they be allowed to continue to test as part of the MSU or is that more expense

[powdarrmonkey]

The Tech (Physics) in our school that does the PAT testing, does some as "visual inspections", if it looks okay, it is okay.

 

A visual should be part of the normal PAT in any case.

 

He has a list of stuff that doesn't need to be done until they've been in 3 years, IE PCs and monitors, which lets him not have to do all the computers. He doesn't do the laptops (it's that visual thing again), but he will do the Mickey/Kettle lead attached (but not the power adapter, unless it's been "fixed"). There is a lot of the 4way extensions that have been done, but when I last bought a few (they always go missing), he said they didn't need to be checked yet (not sure when he'll do them).

 

Ok, I don't know what the legalities are, but my training was:

- fixed-ish items can get a 2 or 3 year test, but most stuff gets a year (the whole point of a PAT is to find potentially dangerous wear and tear ('portable'))

- a visual is a part of a full PAT, not an excuse for lack of one

 

The power adapter on a laptop is a mains appliance, so it should have a full test just like any other. If the lead from it can be detached, that gets a separate IEC test.

 

I'm not sure how much this guy scares me, but I think it's a lot.

 

...The git did fail a whole roomful of computers as I'd removed the back fingerplate to put in a security cable...'course this was 3 years after I'd done it...

 

And quite right too, if the plate is anywhere near the mains inlet. It counts as a modification. Nice to know he's done something properly.

 

(You can start up your flamethrowers now.)

[Andrew_C]

- a visual is a part of a full PAT, not an excuse for lack of one

Yes but... There is provision in the IEE CoP for a formal inspection in those parts of your cycle when you don't do a full test. Thus you could PAT every 4 years, and do a formal inspection in the other 3.

if the plate is anywhere near the mains inlet.

The PSU in a PC is completely enclosed, even within the outer box. That is the sort of FAIL I'd expect from someone who had learned from a book, and had little real world experience.

[powdarrmonkey]

Yes but... There is provision in the IEE CoP for a formal inspection in those parts of your cycle when you don't do a full test. Thus you could PAT every 4 years, and do a formal inspection in the other 3.

 

That's fine if a proper PAT is being done, but it really doesn't sound like he is doing.

 

The PSU in a PC is completely enclosed, even within the outer box. That is the sort of FAIL I'd expect from someone who had learned from a book, and had little real world experience.

 

I'm familiar with a PSU, thanks. If you remove it's access plate, you invalide its PAT.