Hawkesworth Testing - Anyone here work for them..?

[bassl1ne]

It would be best to confirm with the manufacturer of the equipment the process to be followed with a class 2. As mentioned I have spoken to Kewtech (old testers) and Seaward for their new testers and both advised me of the information I have mentioned. If kewtech and Seaward tech are both wrong, and have put incorrect information in the user manuals of their own products then I stand corrected.

 

[DurhamSparky]

Never Used a Probe on Class 2...!! and i use a Kewtech Pat tester...!

 

[ringer]

What is the point of doing an IR test on a class II appliance if you do not use the probe? Apart from guaranteeing that it will never fail, of course.

 

[mark1979]

megger pat tester uses a croc clip for class 2 also

 

[Silly Sausage]

I did have a rant in another thread somewhere about the probe and class 2, you are not alone, almost every engineer I met at HW didn't know about requiring the probe which is required for the insulation test, just plugging in a class 2 and pressing the button tests nothing at all. Probably means around half a million tests per year are done incorrectly.

I know what you mean. In theory it is a completely pointless test probing a double insulated item, because you'll get infinite ohms (assumig it's not knackered), exactly what you'd get without using the probe!!! (must stop staing the obvious).

I've done PATing for 40p an item (agency work) so I know the ways of boosting your daily figures, aint worth getting out of bed otherwise!

It's all ******** anyway, last PAT job I had in a hotel, failed an iron with a broken case, put red fail sticker on it, took the fuse out, told the room manager who just happened to be passing by, 'relace that iron in room 123', ok will do. About 3 weeks later I get phone call about some guest complaining that his ****ing iron doesn't work...............I get more sense talking to the wife.

 

[bassl1ne]

Still think what you are saying regarding class 2 is bolox. I have worked with many pat testers over the years some good and some bad.If you knew Hawkesworth engineers you may have come across C.C. who is by far their best engineer(by the book) , I have worked with him many times and never have I seen him or anyone else use a probe on class 2.

I rest my case, if Hawkesworths best engineer does not know how to correctly perform a class 2 test then there is no hope.

 

[BUZZBAR]

So then going back to the class2 light and glue gun?you have given no answer?does this mean you would fail them because you cannot use your probe? If you knew anything about pat testing you would know that 90%+ fails are due to cut flex/broken casing. Pat testing is bolox but insurance company's have it built in to their business policies as another means of not paying out if it has not been done.Going back to Hawkesworths they have some well dodgy guys working for them. I've been told some of them do 400 "tests" a day.They have all the accreditations that customers look for but Hawkesworths do not actually test anything, all the "testers" are self employed.Half the accreditations they have state that they cannot use contractors so I guess they are worthless.You are also expected to lie on their behalf telling customers that you work for BV or a fire protection company.I wonder how you would stand with your p l insurance if there was an issue? I don't think 5m would cover you if a Sainsburys/Marks&spencers burnt down. As they say at Hawkesworths "you fry it you buy it"

 

[bassl1ne]

In answer to your question regarding for instance a glue gun, the probe would be placed at a suspect weak join, maybe glue and dirt have leaked around the casing increasing electrical conductivity so this is where I would probe. This would also be the same for drills etc, oil and dirt around parts of the casing can in some circumstances increase the conductivity. Some things are pointless to even plug in and test, i.e an AC adapter with no metal end, although Seaward advised this should be probed around the cable entry point.

I agree with what you say regarding having the lie to customers about who you work for, I felt very uncomfortable doing this. It also makes me wonder what would happen in the event of an insurance claim and weather this might also effect the engineer.

 

[Sparky Ninja]

The earth probe is applied to class 2 test. Typically there is no position to apply the probe. Best practice is to hover the probe around all the positions of the appliance where the class 2 insulation is formed, also apply the test to case fixings, switching and any metallic casing. On a single appliance the test may have to be done 5 or 6 times for it to be done correctly.

 

[bassl1ne]

The earth probe is applied to class 2 test. Typically there is no position to apply the probe. Best practice is to hover the probe around all the positions of the appliance where the class 2 insulation is formed, also apply the test to case fixings, switching and any metallic casing. On a single appliance the test may have to be done 5 or 6 times for it to be done correctly.

Its heart warming that there are some people who actually understand the process rather than button pressing. Do you think we should invent a metallic blanket to wrap the appliances in, this will surely save time.

 

[Patman]

Heart warming indeed - and to all "button pressers", the clue is in the title of the test being carried out - as in "touch" and "leakage".

Keep up the "Good" work chaps.

 

[IQ Electrical]

Its heart warming that there are some people who actually understand the process rather than button pressing. Do you think we should invent a metallic blanket to wrap the appliances in, this will surely save time.

Lol, yes, that was a test for 'site applied insulation' properties a few years back....

 

[golfpaul]

Anyway.

Went to meet a guy from Hawkesworth a few months back.

Didnt seem all to bad - wanted to take me on there and then.
Went away to think for a few days then thought id give it a go.
Logged on to my emails to contact them, and picked up a message from HW to let me know they dodnt need me as not enough work near me (Manchester).

That is what i'd call a properly sh1te company.

 

[russty]

Should of took it, the early bird catches the worm and all that! :smilewinkgrin:

 

[grantr37]

so basically shafted to the point of non walkedom maximus by working for a certain company