Extension leads- P.A.T.

[GIVEMETHEANSWER]

I am currently P.A.Testing an extension lead.I have classed it as class 1 equipment beacuse of the protective conductor and obviously extension leads need a protective conductor as they could be supplying class 1 equipment and appliances which if it did not have one and there was a fault in the appliance used there would be no protection form electric shock.The problem is the Extension lead is portable and has a handle.This handle is metal and i dont think the earth is connected to it probably due to basic insulation.So it kind of makes it a class 2 doesnt it?
So how can i do an Earth continuity test onit then?

Another thing - i was insulation resistance testing one of my grinders and it gave a insulation value of 1ohm.In the code of practice for in-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment it gives you values of what aplliances should be:

• Class 1 heating and cooking equipment =0.3 M ohm
• All other Class 1 equipment =1.0 M ohm
• Class 2 equipment =2.0 M ohm
• Class 3 equipment =250 K ohm

my grinder is class 2 and is pretty new so why would i get 1ohm?Any1 know?

 

[MarkieSparkie]

I am currently P.A.Testing an extension lead.I have classed it as class 1 equipment beacuse of the protective conductor and obviously extension leads need a protective conductor as they could be supplying class 1 equipment and appliances which if it did not have one and there was a fault in the appliance used there would be no protection form electric shock.The problem is the Extension lead is portable and has a handle.This handle is metal and i dont think the earth is connected to it probably due to basic insulation. Confirm this with an insulation test. So it kind of makes it a class 2 doesnt it? No! it does not. It is insulated, un-earthed metal.
So how can i do an Earth continuity test onit then? Your do your earth continuity test on the extension lead in the normal manner, but some PAT testers require a special test (shorting) plug or adaptor to be plugged in to last socket on the lead.

Another thing - i was insulation resistance testing one of my grinders and it gave a insulation value of 1ohm.In the code of practice for in-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment it gives you values of what aplliances should be:

• Class 1 heating and cooking equipment =0.3 M ohm
• All other Class 1 equipment =1.0 M ohm
• Class 2 equipment =2.0 M ohm
• Class 3 equipment =250 K ohm

my grinder is class 2 and is pretty new so why would i get 1ohm?Any1 know? This means you either are measuring an insulation breakdown or failure, or your testing method is incorrect, check with your operators manual and COPIITEE

Hi, Welcome to the forum. I guess these are spam questions, because if you seriously don't know the answers YOU SHOULD NOT BE PAT TESTING. I suggest you read the Code of Practice for In-service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment, and read the operators manual for your particular PAT tester to ensure you know the required test methods.

 

[Stephen Montagu]

Hi, Welcome to the forum. I guess these are spam questions, because if you seriously don't know the answers YOU SHOULD NOT BE PAT TESTING. I suggest you read the Code of Practice for In-service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment, and read the operators manual for your particular PAT tester to ensure you know the required test methods.

Hello
Not a PAT testing question but a general question about extension leads.
I've just been to an office were they can smell burning and found its an extension lead (1st in line) that has been daisy chained to a further six extension leads and the flex had started to melt. I've told the owner that you are not allowed to plug extention leads into one another but he wants to know where it says it can't be done. He said its worked fine for years but I think because of the cold staff have plugged fan heaters in. To me its common sense not to plug extension lead into extension lead into extension lead etc but have you any idea where it is written not to to this ? At the socket end of the extensions (of various makes) there is no notice staing not to do this.

 

[Brendan976]

Have a look at the electrical safety council website Extensions & Leads: Extension Lead Safety : Electrical Safety Council

Tell the customer that burning smell was his early warn call of an imminent fire, the next call maybe from the police to tell him his building has burnt down.

Ben

 

[AdieB]

You could quote 132.16 (Green book page 20) Additions and alterations to an installation. This may fit your need as it says "No Additions or alterations temporary or permanent shall be made to an existing installation." So by him adding what is a multi-socket radial with a reduced core size without calculation of the effect on the design of the circuit and the earthing, bonding and tripping characteristics is against the regulations.

AdieB

 

[alanl]

Agree with the above, if you don't know such basic things, you really should go on a course that will teach you it.
Extension leads - there is a maximum allowable length, it's in the In-service Testing Code of Practice. 25 metres is the maximum iirc, but look in the book to confirm.

 

[dan86]

http://www.esc.org.uk/public/safety-in-the-home/extensions-and-leads/ recommends no extension lead exceed 15 metres

 

[hazelm]

Agree with the above, if you don't know such basic things, you really should go on a course that will teach you it.
Extension leads - there is a maximum allowable length, it's in the In-service Testing Code of Practice. 25 metres is the maximum iirc, but look in the book to confirm.

Fully agree that, if you don't know the answers to your own question, you should not be testing!

The maximum allowable length depends on the CSA of the flex, the table in the 4th edition of the Code of Practice is very clear. It also stated that daisy chaining extension leads is a big no no!!!

The new code puts the responsibility for frequency onto the shoulders of the equipments' owner or person in charge of the building.