Pat testing plug fuses

[sham]

Hello, I am new to PAT testing by myself as I just used to do it with an ex employer. We always changed the fuses of the plugs if they were overrated, mainly most had 13A fuses. Now I work for my-self I have carried out pat testing on new Items for a landlord, whether new items need pat testing is another matter as I was being paid to do it. I have come across plug fuses that Are 13A and the Appliances have rated Amp 3, 5, and 10 Amps. I would assume that the manufacturers know what they are doing as it is law. My only conclusion is that the 13 Amps protect the lead and therefore the appliance has its own built in fuse. So, I left the 13A in the plug in the brand-new items and changes the fuses in the older items. Is this correct or do just change the fuses of brand-new items.

 

[Pete999]

Change the fuse to suite the appliance it is connected to. do you own a copy of the CoP for ISITEE?

 

[Taylortwocities]

Follow the makers instructions. I have never changed a fuse when PAT testing myself.

 

[Pete999]

Follow the makers instructions. I have never changed a fuse when PAT testing myself.

I would have to say the Mate how can you pass an appliance with the wrong size fuse in the plug? One of the first visual tests.

 

[sham]

Change the fuse to suite the appliance it is connected to. do you own a copy of the CoP for ISITEE?

No, I have just downloaded it and going to print it off. But manufacturers should be responsible too.

 

[Strima]

Incorrect size fuse for the cable rating/appliance rating is a fail. Fail the kit and quote for corrective action.

 

[Pete999]

Incorrect size fuse for the cable rating/appliance rating is a fail. Fail the kit and quote for corrective action.

Change the fuse or take the appliance out of service, you could of course cut the plug off!!!! Wrong size fuse for the appliance equals a fail.

 

[sham]

But how are the Manufacturers getting away with it.

 

[Pete999]

But how are the Manufacturers getting away with it.

They may not be getting away with anything, all the appliances I have bought lately, not that many, have had the correct fuse in the plug.

 

[Pete999]

They may not be getting away with anything, all the appliances I have bought lately, not that many, have had the correct fuse in the plug.

If you are into PATesting then the customer MUST be made aware of the need to change fuses and be charged accordingly, Crikey how much does a fuse cost, you are the one quantifying the safety of the appliance, part of the service in my book.

 

[westward10]

Always check moulded plugs as some are not rated for 13A, some are stamped for lower ratings.

 

[pirate]

My practice is to replace the fuse if it is the wrong rating. That way, you leave the appliance safe, and thus can give it a Pass. I may make a charge, very small, for the extra work, but very seldom really. Of course, I have dozens of 13A fuses in my toolbag, always running out of 3A ones...
Some foreign crap has 13A fuses which should be 3A...if it's clear from the FVI that the origin is dodgy, it usually also manifests itself by undersized conductors too, and fuses that don't look right. In those cases it's a clear Fail. The worst culprits are those counterfeit extension leads that we all know and hate!

 

[Strima]

Always check moulded plugs as some are not rated for 13A, some are stamped for lower ratings.

Got thousands of IEC kettle leads in work for servers and they're only rated at 10 amp.

 

[Strima]

My practice is to replace the fuse if it is the wrong rating. That way, you leave the appliance safe, and thus can give it a Pass. I may make a charge, very small, for the extra work, but very seldom really. Of course, I have dozens of 13A fuses in my toolbag, always running out of 3A ones...
Some foreign crap has 13A fuses which should be 3A...if it's clear from the FVI that the origin is dodgy, it usually also manifests itself by undersized conductors too, and fuses that don't look right. In those cases it's a clear Fail. The worst culprits are those counterfeit extension leads that we all know and hate!

Since getting one of these I've failed quite a few cheap extension leads that managers thought would save them a few quid.

Plug checker - http://electricalsafetyfirst.instantcart.com/p/Plug-Checker_7.html

 

[LeeH]

IIRC the COP only regcognises 3 and 13A for some reason. So when I did the PATs anything over 3A got a 13A fitted.

It may have changed.