PAT...an alternative...

[NDG Elecs]

Hi folks,

I don't do PAT. Never had, never done CG course, and not got tester. Nor never had the inkling too TBH..

Occasionally I am asked if I could PAT an individual appliance, to which I say well not really. I say I can check for earth leakage and give it a visual (internally also if feasible), but do not have the know how or tester to do anything else.

My question is are there any other things with the typical appliance I can check for bearing in mind I have a MFT/anologue multimeter/VI/clamp meter/leakage clamp meter/etc.. I can't think of anything off hand except checking for correct fusing, worn cables etc...

 

[Marvo]

There's no reason you can't do the individual tests manually like earth resistance, insulation L-N and N-E etc and obviously a visual check.

 

[Deleted member 72666]

Kewtech PATADAPTOR1: Convert 17th Edition - PAT Adaptor 1

 

[NDG Elecs]

There's no reason you can't do the individual tests manually like earth resistance, insulation L-N and N-E etc and obviously a visual check.

As I say Marv, have never done the PAT course. I could IR test between L and N at 250V, but do not know what sort of values I should be getting. Obviously there are neons, elements, etc in appliances. Is there a table with average ohmic values for various appliances, which would more likely be measured with continuity rather than IR I would guess.. Cheers

 

[NDG Elecs]

Kewtech PATADAPTOR1: Convert 17th Edition - PAT Adaptor 1

Stan you are indeed the man!

Wil get myself one of them. A snip at the price.

 

[Deleted member 72666]

Stan you are indeed the man!

Wil get myself one of them. A snip at the price.

Also don't forget ef members receive a 5% discount!

 

[amckay]

If you have an r2 socket adaptor, then just get yourself one of those twin extension lead sockets (minus the cable) for around £3.
Plug your r2 into one outlet, and your mft leads into that. Plug the appliance into the second outlet and start testing.
You can buy a unit similar to what I have described but they're around £30ish so I'd rather have more beer vouchers in my pocket!

 

[kenny7askew]

i do quite a lot for amusement arcades,boring but pays ok,with a lot of metal on the machines the earth bond test is important,lack of it is the most common fail

 

[NDG Elecs]

If you have an r2 socket adaptor, then just get yourself one of those twin extension lead sockets (minus the cable) for around £3.
Plug your r2 into one outlet, and your mft leads into that. Plug the appliance into the second outlet and start testing.
You can buy a unit similar to what I have described but they're around £30ish so I'd rather have more beer vouchers in my pocket!

Cheers amckay,

I have the socket and see plug that you put test leads in. I think that's what you mean is it not. I get what you are saying re the double socket. If the Kewtech adaptor is basically the same thing, then surely I could just croc clip my MFT straight to the appliance plug could I not?

As I say, I am not familiar with PAT. Was largely wandering if any other tests than IR were carried out. Kenny mentions the need to check earth continuity as good also. But are there any other tests....Googling PAT it seems the vast majority of it is visual.

More beer vouchers is defo a good thing!

Cheers, Neil

 

[kenny7askew]

http://electrical.------.org/books/-files/cop-iitee-ed-4-toc.cfm

have a look at this,i think version 5 is out now tho

 

[Hellmooth]

I was in the same boat, only ever got asked for the occasional appliance, I bought the pat adaptor and used my fluke 1652 to check earth continuity and IR, those and functionality are the 3 main checks that need to be done!

 

[DPG]

As I say Marv, have never done the PAT course. I could IR test between L and N at 250V, but do not know what sort of values I should be getting. Obviously there are neons, elements, etc in appliances. Is there a table with average ohmic values for various appliances, which would more likely be measured with continuity rather than IR I would guess.. Cheers

Most PAT testers (as far as I know) join L&N and test this to earth at 500V. Would be easy to use the MFT to do this, and you don't risk damaging the appliance. Daz

 

[Hellmooth]

Yes L and N together tested to earth!

 

[Hellmooth]

The currents used are different but still acceptable using a mft!

 

[davesparks]

The earth bond test on a class one appliance should be carried out at 25A for obvious (hopefully) reasons. The problem with using an MFT or a battery powered tester is they can't deliver that current.