PAT testing extension leads, IEC leads

[EddyB]

Does anyone know what is required when testing extension leads with neons or anti-surge protection? Obviously you won't be able to get a satisfactory insulation resistance result with these types of leads. Currently I do a load/earth leakage test and record the earth leakage result. The alternative I suppose is to open up the lead disconnect the neon or other device, do the insulation test, reconnect the offending item and screw the lead back together, but life is too short. In any case, this could be seen as a repair and then I am into a different report form etc.
IT equipment requires infrequent testing (I would test IT stuff at 3 or 4 year intervals and a visual inspection annually) but I reckon it is good practice to fully test the IEC leads supplying this equipment when I do the visual inspection. What do you think folks? Cheers Eddy

 

[ccs]

Hi, you need to do the insulation test at 250V rather than 500V.

Also you need to do a polarity check to make sure correct wiring.

Hope this helps

 

[Olec]

I have had the same problem in the past. I don't take anything apart (apart from plug) but just give a visual and do earth leakage.

Hi, you need to do the insulation test at 250V rather than 500V.

Also you need to do a polarity check to make sure correct wiring.

Hope this helps

Are the IT equiptment tests at 250v? Could use that if the tester permits?

 

[Patman]

What's this "earth leakage" testing all about ? You;re not applying mains voltage are you ?

Surely Extension leads and IEC cords are tested for Earth Bond, Insulation and Polarity after of course doing Visual Inspection.

If extension leads are anti-surge (or surge protected) then insulation is done at 250v - if they pass at 500v (as some do) then they are the inferior quality type.

 

[Jimmy Boy]

Patman is bang on the money Visual first, E/Bond, Polarity I.R, the only thing I would add is if you have extension leads rated at less than 13 Amp IE the item has stamped on it fuse at 5/10A bin it as you don't have control of future fuse fitments, and I always chuck the one's with thermal cut outs on as well it's protective device that to my knowledge you can't test, but that is just my opinion.

 

[Adam W]

If the test instrument isn't capable of testing at 250v I would omit the IR and just do visual, earth continuity and run leakage/polarity/lead test in all outlets.

 

[Michelle2909]

Patman is bang on the money Visual first, E/Bond, Polarity I.R, the only thing I would add is if you have extension leads rated at less than 13 Amp IE the item has stamped on it fuse at 5/10A bin it as you don't have control of future fuse fitments, and I always chuck the one's with thermal cut outs on as well it's protective device that to my knowledge you can't test, but that is just my opinion.

using that twisted logic you could justify disposing of anything with a fused plug on it as they might replace the fuse in the future with a nail or bit of drill bit.
I think ill try that on the next customer I have with a flat screen TV, tell them sorry that its fail i will have to take it away as someone might put a 13 amp fuse in it then if it developed a fault it could go up in flames. LMAO
You only check its present condition, usage/environmental use, not all possible future uses/missuses.

Patman is bang on the money Visual first, E/Bond, Polarity I.R,the only thing I would add is if you have extension leads rated at less than 13 Amp IE the item has stamped on it fuse at 5/10A bin it as you don't have control of future fuse fitments, and I always chuck the one's with thermal cut outs on as well it's protective device that to my knowledge you can't test, but that is just my o
inion.

Duh PAT testing was introduced to increase safety not reduce it, a thermal cut out is an added safety feature and as long as the EUT passes the test required by the Code of Practice of in service testing. just because you cant test the thermal cut out does not give you the right to Fail it or dispose of it, from a safety aspect what you are doing is totally irresponsible.

has the world gone mad?

 

[Adam W]

While we're at it, how do you test any protective device other than an rcd?

 

[Patman]

Depends what the "protective device" is - can you be more specific.

Cheers

 

[Jimmy Boy]

Michelle...
If you can't keep a civil tongue in your head when replying to posts then save your breath on mine.
I never suggested cutting plugs off appliances, as they have a maximum power consumption, your accusing me of twisted logic , how bizarre, go and buy 200 Plug tops, guess what they will all have 13A fuses in them, so when said 5A goes in a flimsy cheap extension lead...Oh of course they are going reach in the kitchen drawer, and hey presto a broken drill bit or nail happens to be there ! Really what a ridiculous thing to say, as for thermal cut outs I don't give a fig for your opinion it's MY name on the cert not yours and if don't want it in service it's my call not yours.

 

[Michelle2909]

While we're at it, how do you test any protective device other than an rcd?

How long is a piece of string lol

most protective device other than an rcd are beyond the scope of in-service inspection and testing and beyond the knowledge that the 2377 course covers.
as I said about thermal cut outs which as well as being in some extension leads are also in fan heaters convection heaters and other appliances,(I wonder if he bins them as well?).
Thermal cut outs will come under manufactures safety testing procedures and will entail applying an overload to the cut out while having a temperature sensor attached to the thermal cut out to check it cuts out at the required temperature. As I said beyond the scope of in-service testing.

Some other protective devices although not necessary part of in-service testing can be quite easy to test
Ie. safety interlocks, particularly microwave door interlocks which are usually part of microwave testing.
These are generally easy to test put a cup of water in the microwave start it then just open the door slightly to see that it stops the microwave.

Another protective device is solenoid switches, the purpose of which is to stop an appliance powering up when the supply is lost and then comes back on.
these are usually found on table saws and other like equipment . (I believe this is now a requirement for this type of equipment).
Some people are unsure how to pat test this as you cant switch it on for the IR Test
Its quite strait forward really and meets the requirement for in-service testing.
Do your formal inspection and Earth Bond, if it’s a single pole switch you can still do a IR (note this will only test IR between neutral and earth as you cant switch it on) , then do earth leakage check. Note why you have done it this way in your test result for this appliance.

 

[Jimmy Boy]

Yawn
Over current protective devices are built in to all appliances and no "he" doesn't test them because I don't have to same as I don't test all the protective devices on gas boilers or CU's or the thermostat on your car so grow up dude, I was going to take the **** but it seems nature just be me too it..

 

[Michelle2909]

Michelle...
If you can't keep a civil tongue in your head when replying to posts then save your breath on mine.
I never suggested cutting plugs off appliances, as they have a maximum power consumption, your accusing me of twisted logic , how bizarre, go and buy 200 Plug tops, guess what they will all have 13A fuses in them, so when said 5A goes in a flimsy cheap extension lead...Oh of course they are going reach in the kitchen drawer, and hey presto a broken drill bit or nail happens to be there ! Really what a ridiculous thing to say, as for thermal cut outs I don't give a fig for your opinion it's MY name on the cert not yours and if don't want it in service it's my call not yours.

I suppose I could have worded it a bit gentler.
Your being bit over zealous, maybe would have been a better way of wording it

Michelle...
If you can't keep a civil tongue in your head when replying to posts then save your breath on mine.
I never suggested cutting plugs off appliances, as they have a maximum power consumption, your accusing me of twisted logic , how bizarre, go and buy 200 Plug tops, guess what they will all have 13A fuses in them, so when said 5A goes in a flimsy cheap extension lead...Oh of course they are going reach in the kitchen drawer, and hey presto a broken drill bit or nail happens to be there ! Really what a ridiculous thing to say, as for thermal cut outs I don't give a fig for your opinion it's MY name on the cert not yours and if don't want it in service it's my call not yours.

I never said you cut off plugs

I said you bin good appliances Ie extension leads which is basically what you said in your own post

Michelle...
If you can't keep a civil tongue in your head when replying to posts then save your breath on mine.
I never suggested cutting plugs off appliances, as they have a maximum power consumption, your accusing me of twisted logic , how bizarre, go and buy 200 Plug tops, guess what they will all have 13A fuses in them, so when said 5A goes in a flimsy cheap extension lead...Oh of course they are going reach in the kitchen drawer, and hey presto a broken drill bit or nail happens to be there ! Really what a ridiculous thing to say, as for thermal cut outs I don't give a fig for your opinion it's MY name on the cert not yours and if don't want it in service it's my call not yours.

Ridicules No: Obviously you cant have been in the business long . you’d be surprised at what people use to bridge fuses and fuse holders the main favourite seems to be tin foil.

Michelle...
If you can't keep a civil tongue in your head when replying to posts then save your breath on mine.
I never suggested cutting plugs off appliances, as they have a maximum power consumption, your accusing me of twisted logic , how bizarre, go and buy 200 Plug tops, guess what they will all have 13A fuses in them, so when said 5A goes in a flimsy cheap extension lead...Oh of course they are going reach in the kitchen drawer, and hey presto a broken drill bit or nail happens to be there ! Really what a ridiculous thing to say, as for thermal cut outs I don't give a fig for your opinion it's MY name on the cert not yours and if don't want it in service it's my call not yours.

Yes its your call to waste your customers money by binning perfectly good appliances that meet the requirements of in-service inspection and testing but just because they contain a thermal cut out that you cant test because it is beyond the scope of in-service inspection and testing

Do you sell your customers new extension leads to replace the ones you bin

 

[Olec]

Ha, lmao good work!

 

[Adam W]

Depends what the "protective device" is - can you be more specific.

Cheers

A rhetorical question really - as far as I know you can't test a fuse, MCB etc any more than you can a thermal cutout.