One for the PAT Testers!

[joebalchin]

Hello All,

I have recently started a PAT testing company, and from time to time i come across Fixed/wired in appliances. The only way i seem to be able to test them is to use a test block, but should i charge more for this? Seems to be quite common that some PAT companies don't test fixed appliances (just do a visual), but is a visual test enough? seems to be a bit of a grey area after doing some research!

many thanks guys


Surrey PAT Tester
www.testingsafe.co.uk

 

[SJD]

The 4th edition of the code of practice has changes regarding appliances connected via a FCU etc. At a Seaward workshop a week or so ago, I was told you would safely isolate the supply (assumes you know how), open up the FCU and test on the load side. What's more, it was mentioned you would charge a lot more, if I recall a figure of £25 or more was mentioned to test one item.

 

[Eckaslike]

PAT testing means what it says, portable with 13A plugs, not fixed wiring into a 13A sw/fuse/spur.

 

[SJD]

PAT testing means what it says, portable with 13A plugs, not fixed wiring into a 13A sw/fuse/spur.

Umm, not any longer, check the latest code of practice. The changes are precisely because some equipment e.g. connected via a FCU was being missed, not tested by PAT, and not tested as part of the installation.

 

[telectrix]

it's because PAT testing is a misnomer. the correct title is " in service inspection and testing of electrical equipment" and this means hard wired equipment as well as plug-in.

 

[decolad69]

I thought P stood for portable ? I would not permit a PAT testing company to touch any fixed wiring in my property.

 

[SJD]

P does stand for portable, but as Tel says, it is a misnomer.

PAT testing is commonly done to satisfy the requirement that electrical equipment is properly maintained so as to prevent danger, there is nothing to say this is the only way to do that. You can exclude appliances connected by FCUs etc, if you can satisfy this requirement some other way.

 

[chelseaspark197]

ideally you should have 2391 as well to test the circuit its hard wired to.

 

[telectrix]

not really. the job is to test the equipment , not the fixed wiring of the installation. you should, however, be competent to disconnect and reconnect the equipment, isolating the circuit if deemed necessary for the purpose of your test.

 

[Gage]

As far as I understand you test anything under 18kg which can be moved. Fixed or on a plug. Along with your earth bond tests etc.

 

[Eckaslike]

The 4th edition of the code of practice has changes regarding appliances connected via a FCU etc. At a Seaward workshop a week or so ago, I was told you would safely isolate the supply (assumes you know how), open up the FCU and test on the load side. What's more, it was mentioned you would charge a lot more, if I recall a figure of £25 or more was mentioned to test one item.

25 pound to unscrew a FCU & test the appliance ? Sounds like a money making racket.

 

[Risteard]

Umm, not any longer, check the latest code of practice. The changes are precisely because some equipment e.g. connected via a FCU was being missed, not tested by PAT, and not tested as part of the installation.

In fairness the previous edition of the Code of Practice (3rd Edition) ALSO made it perfectly clear that fixed equipment came within the remit of the Code of Practice. So it's not actually a new thing, just a rewrite to make it clearer given that many still seem to be unaware of this!

 

[oldtimer]

I thought P stood for portable ? I would not permit a PAT testing company to touch any fixed wiring in my property.

Totally wrong I am afraid it has never been officially called PAT testing it has always been ISI&TEE PAT was a nic buzz word that was created only thing is it has now backfired with a lot of urban myth from "PAT" testing companies let me explain.

When they brought out electrical testing it was split into 2 halves one being Fixed wiring ie covered via an EICR and the other being In Service Inspection& Testing Electrical Equipment.

So why the confusion with fixed appliances well somebody said we can get non electricians trained up to do "most" of the ISI&TEE (PAT) but will need to get an electrician to do the fixed appliances.

Hold on I hear you say I am a PAT tester I can do this Well no actually you cannot as you are neither insured or legally competent to do the test.

Ah well it does not matter as PAT means portable only right. Well no actually what is the difference between a fridge with a plug on it and the same fridge hard wired into a SFCU ? Nothing actually both still require to be tested.

Hold on thats not right the PAT company I worked with said fixed appliances were excluded from testing Yes. Well no actually read your COPs it clearly states that fixed appliances should be tested.

So why are fixed appliances not being tested . Well mainly ISI&TEE (PAT) specific companies know they cannot do them so they ignore them and tell the customer that if it aint got a plug top on you dont have to test it . This is Urban Myth No1 only problem is that they have spread this story around that people actually believe that this is the case.

So lets take a house what is a fixed appliance Well something that does not have a plug on it but is connected to the fixed wiring via a DP switch or SFCU such as.

1. Electric cooker
2. Electric hob
3. Electric oven
4. Fridge/freezer
5. Cooker hood
6. A gas hob with an electric ignitor
7. A storage heater
8. A wall mounted convector heater
9. An immersion heater (yes)
10. An extract fan

 

[grantr37]

how can people make any money/get any work doing this now? a lot of former business customers are under the impression that they no longer need to get any pat testing done anymore......

 

[oldtimer]

Because on big jobs they take a guy on minimum wage pee him off know he will just whack stickers on . As I said before I tooled up for it as my main work is doing rental repairs so I have to have it to compliment my business I tried the I dont do it and was getting told well if you cannot do it as well as forget it. Basically I got it as the supermarkets say a loss leader but been lucky as it has well paid for itself in the first year but the projection for the second year is not good but all I need to do now is keep it calibrated