Could PAT testing cause damage??

[seasonalbiz]

Hi,

We had PAT testing carried out the other day and since the engineer left... one of the laser printers in the office has packed up. It powers up ok, and the green LED indicating its ready to print is lit... but it hasn't printed a page since the guy tested it, and it won't print a test page - so its defo a problem with the printer itself. Its only 2yrs old and its a Hewlett Packard Laser - I have always used HP printers and they have always lasted years.

I was quite surprised at the "crackle" noises made by the things he tested. I haven't contacted the company yet as I'm sure I'll get a load of flannel if I don't seek independent advise first.


Thanks.

 

[KFH]

Engineer54 - The BEAB standard for manufacturer testing of IT equipment manufactured to BSEN 60950 includes an earth continuity test: "with a current of 10A (BEAB recommend 25A) from an AC source having a no load voltage not exceeding 12V." Although another part refers to 1.5 times current rating of primary fuse. Megger use 9VAC.

So I stand by my comment that a 25A test at <12V SHOULD not damage IT equipment. I have chosen my words carefully and this does not mean WILL not as I do know that when in use and subject to heating cycles, spikes, surges etc on mains and earth, components will weaken over time and may be damaged by such a test. As the impact of damaged IT equipement is high we lessen the risk by testing at a lower current, still using the <12AC source.

If my interpretation of the standards is wrong I please tell me where.

Also as it not always easy to determine if equipment has been manufactured to BSEN 60950 the soft test should not damage any not to this standard.

 

[GLENNSPARK]

Also as it not always easy to determine if equipment has been manufactured to BSEN 60950 the soft test should not damage any not to this standard.[/QUOTE] yes well i would always earth bond test to 100mA....just covering my own arse here .....

 

[190ebob]

In the short PAT test can cause some faults, but the same fault could have occured just because the printer was turned off and back on. IF the tester is using the same settings for all your equipment then this could cause a fault, for example if they are using the same settings for testing an electric kettle and for testing a PC or printer then faults can occure. Testing items with PCB boards in them should be different from other items being tested. As others have posted you would have to find out the results on the tests to see if this has been done.

 

[DPG]

Definately agree with the comments about equipment not coming back on once it has been unplugged. Switch mode power supplies (which nearly every piece of modern IT equipment has) are notorious for this. Usually the little capacitor which starts the power supply running dries out. Daz

 

[Aturnb]

If the printer is lit green and is ready for printing then see if the printer settings have defaulted to something else. They might need to be manually set to work on your network/office configuration.

 

[gaspromike]

Yeah, its all plugged up.

The printer should print a test page at the press of the "go" button (stand alone, no need to have a computer connected)... and it won't - so I know its a problem with the printer and nothing else in the chain.

I tested my cordless kettle and the power on indicator light no longer works. Not test anything electronic from now on. Just the leads.

 

[Vortigern]

Have you tried any other print-outs, such as reports on wi-fi connection etc? It would be advisable to contact megger and ask them about this scenario anyway?

 

[davesparks]

Have you tried any other print-outs, such as reports on wi-fi connection etc? It would be advisable to contact megger and ask them about this scenario anyway?

I'm not sure printer's even had WiFi when this thread was started