Another query about fixed appliances

[K-PAT]

Further to the recent post about testing fixed wired appliances, I found the replies helpful, but would appreciate if someone would be able to give a definitive answer on one particular point.I am quite confident in disconnecting the wiring from the fused socket and inserting the flex into a Quicktest connector in order to carry out the test sequence.I am also confident in replacing the flex in the fused socket.However...having done this, am I right in thinking that the connection then needs to be checked/tested by a qualified electrician before the appliance can be put back in service? If so, this would tend to put me off doing the test as the client will not want their appliance out of service when I have tested it.
What I'm really trying to do is stay on the right side of any regs, while giving the best possible service to the client.
Is there a minimum level of training that can be undertaken in order to carry out these disconnections/connections, without doing the full electrical courses?
Thanks for reading and for any advice..

K-PAT.

 

[Silly Sausage]

I'm sure you are more than capble of wiring an FCU, getting an 'Electrician' to check it is madness, along with all the over regulation there is in this business.

A quick way for checking polarity on an item (assuming it's switched), get your volt stick out and if it glows (downstream of said switch of course) with the switch off, you've got L & N reversed.

One of many tips going so you'll be able to PAT over 3000 items in about 200 hotel bedrooms in a week.

 

[Sparky Ninja]

It's not necessarily the connections that are a concern with the regulations, but more the safe isolation of the fixed outlet position.
Working live is not acceptable under EAW, therefore the competence of the individual will be dictated by their methods with dealing with this.

 

[Silly Sausage]

Mmmm...fair point. Assuming a switched FCU, one would only be working on the dead side, but in the presence of live conductors.

I'm the eternal optomistic and like to think that the vast majority of guys who've gone through some more than basic training are more than capable of performing what is basically a trivial task.

If they can't, well.................

 

[oldtimer]

Just completed a night school PAT testing course and the lecturer highlighted that it is no longer called PAT testing but In Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment as PAT testing suggested that fixed appliances were not required to be tested but he pointed out that if it is fixed wiring ie the installation then thats covered via EICR/PIR everything else is covered via ISI&TEE He also warned that if you were not a qualified electrician then legally you could not disconnect fixed equimpent to test them. He also highlighted that ISI&TEE is changing this year and instead of one qualification there will be 2-3 levels.

So how does this not surprise me if the "authorities" are so minded to continually change the criteria for qualifications and regulations for example GreenBook,EICR,ISI&TEE then is it any wonder why people are ignoring them

 

[K-PAT]

Thanks for the replies, it does help to get opinions from others.My main concern is staying within all the regs and not falling foul of any.I'm certainly not looking for short cuts to speed up my rate of testing, in fact I normally manage about 100-120 in a day, but I always ensure that I do full checks, including plug and flex.I fully agree with all the criticism of so called 'testers' who can do 300-400 a day, I cannot believe that they are being done correctly and of course the client has no idea that they are being taken for a ride.Sadly, the only way that this practice is likely to come to official notice is when an injury occurs, or worse, by way of a faulty appliance that has been passed by one of these operators.Anyway....Happy New Year to you all, let's hope this year holds some cheer for us all.

K.

 

[Adam W]

... it is no longer called PAT testing but In Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment as PAT testing suggested that fixed appliances were not required to be tested

IMO the name 'PAT testing' (which is technically incorrect as the T stands for 'testing') was only intended as a quicker way of saying 'ISI&TEE', however you only have to read any thread on this subject on this forum to see that a lot of people seem to have been confused by that - every time someone will try to tell you fixed equipment doesn't have to be tested because the 'P' in PAT is for 'Portable'.

I suppose the answer would be that anyone can disconnect an appliance that is permanently wired if they are 'competent' to do so, which could result in training providers offering an additional module in doing that.
IMO the connection unit would need to be safely isolated (eg at the MCB) rather than simply disconnecting with the supply live - the whole reason you're there is to check if it's 'safe' which includes being connected correctly. Assuming that every FCU is wired correctly is the first step to assuming every appliance is going to pass.

 

[oldtimer]

Adam W I agree with what you say but yet again confusion seems to rule the roost because you are correct people are saying P is for portable where the lecturer stated that ISI&TEE covers everything except the fixed wiring installation including storage heaters and if you look in the purple book on page 29 then it shows a hand dryer heater and a air conditioning unit so me thinks it is a dont ask dont tell because if it aint got a plug on it ignore it as this appears to be the norm

 

[Adam W]

Yes, I don't think there was ever such a thing as 'Portable appliance testing' - this 'P is for Portable' idea just seems to be an excuse to be lazy.

 

[Patman]

........ and so we go on..... and on..... and ????

Here's to the "never ending thread".

 

[cliffed]

its pat testing,not fixed item,portable equipment surely,needs only testing.

 

[Adam W]

its pat testing,not fixed item,portable equipment surely,needs only testing.

There's always one, isn't there.

 

[oldtimer]

its pat testing,not fixed item,portable equipment surely,needs only testing.

If you read previous posts althogh the name PAT test stuck it is actually In-Service Inspection & Testing of Elelectrical Equipment ie II&TEE because fixed appliances come under this section is just people and companies choose to play the O I thought it was Portable equipment only
ignorance may be bliss but if you dig deeper you will find that guys and gals who are trained up in PAT (as they say) testing and have no electrical qualification cannot test fixed equipment as they say you need a competent person to isolate and open the unit up so in other words the industry is using the Big Green Book and the I&T updates to do a jobs worth on II&TEE (PAT) breaking the qualification into 2 certificates and not 1
this means more retraining and more buckaroonies for the people giving the courses or let me put it this way Jobs for the Boys

 

[cliffed]

If you read previous posts althogh the name PAT test stuck it is actually In-Service Inspection & Testing of Elelectrical Equipment ie II&TEE because fixed appliances come under this section is just people and companies choose to play the O I thought it was Portable equipment only
ignorance may be bliss but if you dig deeper you will find that guys and gals who are trained up in PAT (as they say) testing and have no electrical qualification cannot test fixed equipment as they say you need a competent person to isolate and open the unit up so in other words the industry is using the Big Green Book and the I&T updates to do a jobs worth on II&TEE (PAT) breaking the qualification into 2 certificates and not 1
this means more retraining and more buckaroonies for the people giving the courses or let me put it this way Jobs for the Boys

my apologies,i understand where your cumin from.