General > General Technical Chat
Not sure how I feel about this.
PlainName:
just one letter difference :P
Halcyon:
--- Quote from: PlainName on January 12, 2024, 12:24:43 am ---
--- Quote --- could essentially be carried out by a visual inspection
--- End quote ---
Which would be subject to interpretation and possibly arguments. A meter's readout is much less fallible and/or is easier to pass/fail.
Also a bit tricky to look at the wires hidden away in the trunking and roof space.
--- End quote ---
To cite a specific example that happened to me was at my old workplace, we underwent this testing. A particular battery charger passed and was issued the requisite sticker. The very next day it almost burn the office down. Now, what went wrong, I have no idea, but having a label that says "passed" gives end-users the assumption that the appliance is perfectly safe to use. Obviously in this case it wasn't or it developed the fault later, either way rendering the information on the PAT label entirely useless and unreliable.
In a typical office or commerical environment, its largely meaningless and a waste of money.
Also, to my knowledge, PAT has nothing to do with the wiring in the walls/ceiling. It's only an appliance/power lead/extension lead test, right?
mendip_discovery:
It's not mandatory to do PAT testing but some insurance companies insist on it. The only thing that alludes to the need for regular testing is that the employer is responsible to keep electrical stuff safe.
I have done a PAT testing course and let's just say I got more from a promo video from seaward than I did on the "online course". So far the stuff I have failed have been visuals, and I cut the lead in half in front of the customer so it couldn't be used. I kinda see the point in doing it as there are results for things that are good or bad, but anyone charging <50p an item isn't going to spring much time on it.
I knew a chap who did it as a job and he said he found the wrong fuse in power leads regularly and even IEC leads with no earth. So there is that to think of.
coppice:
The biggest use of PAT testing I've seen is in colleges in the UK, vetting appliances brought in by students. Considering some of the funky things brought in by foreign students from places with poor electrical standards, I imagine that does achieve some benefits.
Shock:
PAT testing has without a doubt saved lives, prevented fires and damaged equipment, china is doing it's best to counteract that though. That earth pin seems dodgy, it should be a rated plug or adapter with insulated leads. It's only a matter of time before the PAT testing technician finds an incorrectly wired socket.
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