Is testing of mobile catering vans any different to domestic/commercial

[The Ghost]

I have been offered to do testing on mobile catering vans. Is this any different to ordinary testing in domestic or commercial? I have said no on the basis I don't have any experience of this area. However the person offering is gas safe and done 2330 previously and is questioning me as to what is the difference. Some are connected to gennys and some to fixed wiring on sites. Any thoughts?

 

[The Ghost]

Yeh I know, get an electrician.

 

[Pete999]

Yeh I know, get an electrician.

Vorty, what doe's 7671 say on the subject, if anything at all, I would imagine it's pretty much same as, although I have nil experience

 

[telectrix]

treat it like a caravan. main problem is that you can't obtain accurate live tests (Zs, PSCC, etc.) as it could be hooked up elsewhere than where you test it.

 

[buzzlightyear]

when testing catering just do dead testing only .by the why I have a bucket of pop corn ready .

 

[The Ghost]

Vorty, what doe's 7671

Looking at section 717 right now get back to you on that one. As to dead tests only, that does make sense as there are quite a few ways/earthing arrangements which will change according to the site. But that would preclude RCD tests...hmmmm

 

[buzzlightyear]

Looking at section 717 right now get back to you on that one

still thumbing through BYB !

 

[The Ghost]

treat it like a caravan

Sec 717 mobile or transportable units, rather than section 721 (caravans) seems more appropriate.

 

[buzzlightyear]

I can see you Vort dragging your sorry a** around the country waiting of the genny going on .the new bugger king .

 

[Adam W]

To echo Pete's pearls of wisdom above, you could maybe try asking an internet forum.

 

[buzzlightyear]

Sec 717 mobile or transportable units

would you like brown sauce with that ,Vort.

 

[The Ghost]

try asking an internet forum.

I feel such a fool, why didn't I think of that it's obvious now you say it.

 

[The Ghost]

brown sauce

Chilli please

 

[buzzlightyear]

you always hit a curve ball some times ,I'm on the floor .lol.

 

[littlespark]

If it plugs into a genny or a 16A hookup, then treat it as a portable appliance. Do you have a PAT tester?

 

[westward10]

Nothing too much out of the ordinary but see Section 717 which you are. Carry out dead tests and ensure continuity to the inlet point and you will need a source to test the rcds either that or take them out and test them at home
Earthing system and Ze list as N/A.

 

[Pete999]

Sec 717 mobile or transportable units, rather than section 721 (caravans) seems more appropriate.

Thinking about your question Vorti, been looking at various things, come to the conclusion, that maybe ISITEE CoP the old PATesting may be your best way out of this dilema, what are peoples thought on my idea?

 

[The Ghost]

new bugger king

Errrr...I hope you didn't quite mean that, don't tell me if you do.

 

[buzzlightyear]

If it plugs into a genny or a 16A hookup, then treat it as a portable appliance

how can you pat test a catering unit when it will have its own c/u e.g. light, sockets . for the genny. some local authority's request a test cert .

 

[The Ghost]

how can you pat test a catering unit

I think that was a bit tongue in cheek when stated. Technically you could say it is (joke), but as you say how could it be, it can't. I have dug up CiTO training which I am not about to do. It is clear mobile catering units come under BS7671. CiTO is more to do with the caravan industry though. I think dead tests make the most sense. And as for live tests I cannot see how they would be relevant as the different hook ups cannot be predicted.

 

[westward10]

You need to verify rcd operation as these are likely to be providing fault protection.

 

[The Ghost]

This is what I found on;
Electrical certification for caravan and motorhome installations - JB Caravan & Trailer Services - https://jbcaravanandtrailerservices.co.uk/news/electrical-certification-caravan-motorhome-installations/
But it is for caravans which I imagine always hook up to mains. So a cert would need to be in force to visit a site and hook up I guess.

We are pleased to announce, on top of our industry sector training qualifications, we are now qualified to CITO electrical test and inspection level.

Your caravan or motorhome will have an electrical installation certificate which should have been issued from the factory when it was built. This certification expires after three years. The industry is now striving to ensure these electrical certificates are renewed accordingly. Insurance companies are also requiring certificate renewal in the same way that it is a requirement for an annual service, particularly if you are insured on a new for old policy. We can offer periodic inspection reports that last three years and satisfy this criteria.

The test and inspection involves

• Earth bond
• RCD test
• Continuity test
• Full inspection of the entire electrical installation
  

 

[MDJ]

when testing catering just do dead testing only .by the why I have a bucket of pop corn ready .

I find that hard to believe, how are you going to eat it with that helmet on?

 

[littlespark]

Of course my post was a joke. Didn't the the face give it away?

 

[Adam W]

You need to verify rcd operation as these are likely to be providing fault protection.

I would have said it's more likely to be providing additional protection.
It should still be tested though, as you would an RCD extension lead.