PAT TESTING Do you do it?

Re: PAT TESTING Do you do it?

i do pat testing with my appliance repairs. it helps when work is slow as i can get the odd nursing home or resturant to do. helps earn some money.
only problem is my equipment is due for calibration now 😥 there goes my christmas profits. but to pat test you do need to sit and pass the relevant college course could be evenings at a local college or a full day and then 2 exams at the end of the course. ( the course is all paperwork )
some places will lend you a pat tester to take home and learn with and some experiments in class to gain the experience.
“it is law that any appliance repaired must be pat tested”
(SO I WAS TOLD SO I WAS TOLD ON MY COLLEGE COURSE)

Re: PAT TESTING Do you do it?

Indeed the regulations only apply to commercial premises to protect employees in the workplace. That includes hotels, pubs and guesthouses that provide electrical equipment for the use of their guests (i.e. Tea & coffee makers, hairdryers etc)….

“The Electricity at Work Regulations (1989) placed a Legal responsibility on employers, suppliers and hirers etc to take reasonable steps to ensure that no danger results from the use of electrical equipment. This means all Portable Appliances at your place of work have to be regularly tested to ensure they are safe.”

Re: PAT TESTING Do you do it?

paulpaddison wrote:i was told both on my business traning course and my pat testing course that i must pat test anything i repair. problem with this is it means a lot of paperwork and extra fee for the customer.

Why the extra paperwork and charge? 😕

Nothing personal Paul this is good advice for anyone, If you want to sleep at night then the minimum safety tests that should be carried out is at least earth continuity and earth insulation, I personally do earth loop impedance test’s as well, which has a 25 amp earth test, BUT this instrument can be unsafe if used incorrectly, always make sure that no one is in the shower or bath or any water when you test. If the house earth is poor then the 25amp may take a route of least potential, water pipes etc. 😳

All test equiptment should be regulary calibrated and given a suitable test certificate.

paulpaddison wrote:
some repairs are so simple i dont pat test them like a washing machine door repair or replace or replacing a broken dial. a quick check with a multi meter from case to earth pin on plug makes shure its propely grounded. also checking from a screw on the side of a socket to a sink or pipe will show if the house earth is ok. ( or a plug in socket tester will do the job )

A loose or poor earth will not show up with a multi meter

Even a “small repair” makes you the last person to touch the appliance, I am sure if the shit hit the fan after an “incident” no judge in the land would side with you.

Sorry to lay this on a bit heavy chaps but feel free to give an opposing arguement , anyway who said a washing machine is a portable appliance
Mal 😉

Re: PAT TESTING Do you do it?

good point about the multimeter. back when i was a lad i used a mega that was great fun for shocking people too 😀 allways proved if earth was dodgy or not.

Re: PAT TESTING Do you do it?

Documentation:

Appliance Register, Fail Certificates (if applicable), Pass Certificates,
Display Certificate

Appliance Register – A complete register of all equipment tested on the premises
Fail Certificates – Appliances that failed testing will be reported on red paper showing details of the reason for fail and recommendations
Invoice
Pass Certificates – Full details of all test results for appliance that passed testing
Display Certificate – A Certificate for display in the staff room, notice board or reception to advise that the appliances on the premises have been tested for electrical safety.