Microwaves and kettles all failed Class 1 test

[DPG]

This is one of those things where it is essential to understand what each part of the test is doing. Luckily in this case it is failing, but I've seen people perform ridiculous tests which will always pass, even though nothing is actually being tested.

Testing figure 8 mains leads anyone?

 

[James]

This is one of those things where it is essential to understand what each part of the test is doing. Luckily in this case it is failing, but I've seen people perform ridiculous tests which will always pass, even though nothing is actually being tested.

Testing figure 8 mains leads anyone?

I give you 50/50 on correct polarity!!

 

[pc1966]

Testing figure 8 mains leads anyone?

True, no CPC or polarity to verify there.

But the opposite gets me, folk passing USB chargers visually on the basis of no earth pin and no cable. To me you ought to be checking the insulation between the L&N and the USB socket is good as I have heard enough horror stories of fake chargers killing folk (usually semi-Darwin by using things in the bath which plugged in to charge, but you get my point).

 

[DPG]

I give you 50/50 on correct polarity!!

I had to explain to a guy working for a pat testing company that the live and neutral were connected together during the test, so no point doing the IR test. And also as you say the polarity issue!

He was happily pressing test and waiting for the pass light each time ?

 

[shazza]

This is one of those things where it is essential to understand what each part of the test is doing. Luckily in this case it is failing, but I've seen people perform ridiculous tests which will always pass, even though nothing is actually being tested.

Testing figure 8 mains leads anyone?

Thank you. It appears that the guy who used to do our tests did everything as a class 2!

 

[DPG]

Thank you. It appears that the guy who used to do our tests did everything as a class 2!

You'd be surprised at the things that PAT testing people do!

 

[Moley]

Testing figure 8 mains leads anyone?

Well, at least it will test if the fuse has blown ?

Just read the specs of this tester. Earth bond is only at 200mA. Hardly worth the effort. You need at least 10A the blow the cobwebs away. I'm not a lover of these very basic units.

 

[shazza]

Well, at least it will test if the fuse has blown ?

Just read the specs of this tester. Earth bond is only at 200mA. Hardly worth the effort. You need at least 10A the blow the cobwebs away. I'm not a lover of these very basic units.

So how can they sell the product as suitable for Class 1 testing?

 

[pc1966]

Well, at least it will test if the fuse has blown ?

Just read the specs of this tester. Earth bond is only at 200mA. Hardly worth the effort. You need at least 10A the blow the cobwebs away. I'm not a lover of these very basic units.

I think 200mA is pretty much all any of the battery units offer.

Do they still make the mains powered testers that could do several/tens of amps bond checks?

EDIT: Yes they do, such as Martindale EasyPAT 1600, Megger PAT320, Seaward Supernova Elite, etc. But cheapest seems to be £400-ish

 

[DPG]

So how can they sell the product as suitable for Class 1 testing?

Do you have the code of practice? This will tell you the specification of the tests for different appliances.

Obviously your course should have covered this as well, but you should also have the latest (5th) edition of the COP.

 

[shazza]

Do you have the code of practice? This will tell you the specification of the tests for different appliances.

Obviously your course should have covered this as well, but you should also have the latest (5th) edition of the COP.

Thank you

 

[telectrix]

for what bit of PAT I do, i use a Seaward 1500X, basic no frills tester. £60 2nd hand in 2008. does the job, 20A earth bond, blows the dust off.

 

[DPG]

for what bit of PAT I do, i use a Seaward 1500X, basic no frills tester. £60 2nd hand in 2008. does the job, 20A earth bond, blows the dust off.

A decent buy. Definitely useful to have the high current bond test.

 

[loz2754]

I had to explain to a guy working for a pat testing company that the live and neutral were connected together during the test, so no point doing the IR test. And also as you say the polarity issue!

He was happily pressing test and waiting for the pass light each time ?

IR testing of class II equipment-

Copisitee edition 5 page 73 - "when testing insulation resistance on a Class II appliance, the test probe should be connected to any metal parts or suspect joints in the enclosure where conductive material may have accumulated. This may require multiple tests."

Also page 72 the limits for insulation resistance test values for Class II equipment are given as 2.0 MOhm.

 

[DPG]

IR testing of class II equipment-

Copisitee edition 5 page 73 - "when testing insulation resistance on a Class II appliance, the test probe should be connected to any metal parts or suspect joints in the enclosure where conductive material may have accumulated. This may require multiple tests."

Also page 72 the limits for insulation resistance test values for Class II equipment are given as 2.0 MOhm.

My post was specifically about figure-8 mains lead testing though.