Do you need to PAT test / test fixed appliances

[Dozer 73]

Been asked this question today by one of our engineers , do you need to pat test / test fixed appliances / equipment ( hand dryers , heaters etc )
My opinion Yes he thinks no
Something we don’t really do but know we really should and keep records of these tests

 

[Dozer 73]

I tend to take the view that fixed equipment eg via switched fused spur etc. is part of the fixed electrical installation and is tested as p[art of a EICR. Portable appliances done periodically based upon a risk assessment eg plugged in appliances such as computers ,fridges would be of a less risk than say drills in the workshop or the kettle toaster in the staff rest room.

Other than the xed installation, which is considered to be the installation from the meter point to the socket-outlet, or fuse connection unit, all electrical equipment in an installation, whether permanently connected or connected by a plug and socket-outlet,
Code of Practice for in-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment © The Institution of Engineering and Technology

fixed wire testing only covers as far as sockets , fused spurs , isolator
Rest should be covered by in service inspection and testing of electrical code of practise

 

[Toneyz]

Maybe I'm missing something here but please enlighten me as how you practically would do this on sat a fixed heater fed via switched fused spur. All the PAT testers that I know of you have to plug the item into.

 

[Toneyz]

Maybe I'm missing something here but please enlighten me as how you practically would do this on say a fixed heater fed via switched fused spur. All the PAT testers that I know of you have to plug the item into.

 

[Strima]

Take the cable out of the FCU and connect it to this: QuickTest QT/1 Electrical Testing Adaptor With 1.5M Cable - http://www.testermans.co.uk/quicktest-qt1-electrical-testing-adaptor

 

[Toneyz]

Really,so what do you do with hand dryers ,a heater in a w.c on a switched fused spur I'm learning here by the way I can't see this paying well especially for the companies that charge very little per item.

 

[Strima]

Really,so what do you do with hand dryers ,a heater in a w.c on a switched fused spur I'm learning here by the way I can't see this paying well especially for the companies that charge very little per item.

Do you think they test it correctly?

 

[Toneyz]

Do you think they test it correctly?

No, however I'm interested to what members do on here as I've always taken the view that portable appliances with a plug was tested with a PAT tester and fixed appliances was part of the electrical installation and done on the EICR.

 

[westward10]

Any fixed equipment I IR test with the circuit and check earth continuity.

 

[Toneyz]

Any fixed equipment I IR test with the circuit and check earth continuity.

Got to say this is what we do so I am interested how you PAT test these fixed items.

 

[Dozer 73]

Oh yes its a right can of worms , we sat the c and g pat testing course few year ago (lucky us)
And had this conversation, yes as per book you are suppose to disconnect and put plug or adaptor on and test
Or use ins res tester , low ohm tester and log information on sheet
Cost and time wise we ignored it
Now certain clients are asking for proof of testing , nation grid
At one point we agreed to put on periodic and in notes list appliances and results
That soon stopped
We are now being asked again by a client
Its written into our electrical group rules all the different acts , regs , guidance notes we adhere to
So looks like we may be doing it by the book
Imagine the cost implications , some times our site are in the arse of nowhere
Manager write rams for us , we drive up there 300 mile , write daily risk assessment, get inducted , write isolation permit for hand dryer , lock off , disconnect flex out of spur , test
Few more items to test
Day over , hotel and meal
Get up breakfast , drive back to office or next job
Electrical charges £325 per day plus hotel £80-120
This really happens at the min with pat testing and maintaining sites for our customers like grid and rail for us to keep complaint with them
No wonder electric , gas and rail bills are through the roof £££££££££

 

[Dozer 73]

Any fixed equipment I IR test with the circuit and check earth continuity.

Agreed but as a company you should be keeping a log of applainces , make , serial no , etc , last - next inspection label
What if someone changed faulty heater , hand dryer do they up date test sheets
It really is a can of worms and a ball ache

 

[Pete999]

Been asked this question today by one of our engineers , do you need to pat test / test fixed appliances / equipment ( hand dryers , heaters etc )
My opinion Yes he thinks no
Something we don’t really do but know we really should and keep records of these tests

Your Engineer is wrong, you do need to Test fixed equipment, and it's not PATesting it's ISITEE see attachment.

 

[Pete999]

Maybe I'm missing something here but please enlighten me as how you practically would do this on sat a fixed heater fed via switched fused spur. All the PAT testers that I know of you have to plug the item into.

 

[Pete999]

Maybe I'm missing something here but please enlighten me as how you practically would do this on sat a fixed heater fed via switched fused spur. All the PAT testers that I know of you have to plug the item into.

 

[Dozer 73]

Yes pat test wrong terminology