PAT testing without unplugging anything?

[Ian Walden]

I was trained as a PAT tester for a charity shop - for testing donated items. They use an external contractor for testing items used on the premises - till, PC, steamer, vacuum cleaner etc.
Said contractor came on a day when I wasn’t there. According to my colleague, they didn’t unplug any devices, just plugged in a laptop (or tablet, she wasn’t sure), called up something on the screen, declared everything passed and left (“it’s all on the computer, love”) and went.

Is there some new development in PAT technology I haven’t been told about that can scan everything on the ring main and even check Earth continuity without touching anything, or are we being scammed? (The company that trained me said they had once been suspicious of the speed of one tester, so installed a covert camera and observed that he merely copied the ID numbers onto a new set of labels and stuck these over the old ones).

Enquiring minds would like to know.

 

[Zdb]

Sounds like visuals only to me

 

[static zap]

a) What's the testing interval ? (next test due)
(May alternate thoroughness -but that will be in a "policy" doc somewhere - !)
Nice paperwork.
b)(Out of time for proper job -re visit later - when not in way -Can hope )

c) .....Unplugging delicate electronic things that spend most of the time turned on.....Scary times until re-power OK. ( Needs danger money )

 

[Pete999]

I was trained as a PAT tester for a charity shop - for testing donated items. They use an external contractor for testing items used on the premises - till, PC, steamer, vacuum cleaner etc.
Said contractor came on a day when I wasn’t there. According to my colleague, they didn’t unplug any devices, just plugged in a laptop (or tablet, she wasn’t sure), called up something on the screen, declared everything passed and left (“it’s all on the computer, love”) and went.

Is there some new development in PAT technology I haven’t been told about that can scan everything on the ring main and even check Earth continuity without touching anything, or are we being scammed? (The company that trained me said they had once been suspicious of the speed of one tester, so installed a covert camera and observed that he merely copied the ID numbers onto a new set of labels and stuck these over the old ones).

Enquiring minds would like to know.

Probably a drive by merchant

 

[telectrix]

50p/item sticker merchant.

 

[Deleted member 105166]

Sounds like visuals only to me

Not enough for even a formal visual inspection. Even if all the plugtops were of the moulded type, the fuses have not been checked (14.5)

 

[pirate]

Just wrong...
very wrong for so many reasons

 

[draelectricals]

This is a clear case of "making it up" - the witness report suggests that nothing has been tested or inspected as nothing has been unplugged. Unfortunately it does happen. Recommend getting the business manager to contact said PAT company to explain nothing has been tested and get the engineer back out, then watch him to make sure he unplugs everything and correctly inspects and tests it all.

 

[H]

What do you actually have to confirm, check with PAT testing, is there some sort of checklist? I know what it is just not what it entails?

 

[static zap]

If a pre-existing inventory exists ,it is also a Portable Asset Inventory ,check if done fussily.
Will I need to PAT test my company EV !
(Joking)

 

[DPG]

This needs reporting back to whoever ordered the work and whoever performed it. I say 'work' in the loosest possible form.

Even if it is visual only (which is fine for some things, but I would say at least the hoover should be tested) then as mentioned above, how can you do a visual of plug condition/fuse type, etc. without unplugging?

They are ripping people off and in a dangerous way.

 

[Pete999]

What do you actually have to confirm, check with PAT testing, is there some sort of checklist? I know what it is just not what it entails?

respectfully suggest you get hold of a copy of the CoP for ISITEE

 

[H]

respectfully suggest you get hold of a copy of the CoP for ISITEE

Thank you for your direction Pete. Surprisingly I have overlooked this, I will read and digest as it is lunch time.

 

[Pete999]

Thank you for your direction Pete. Surprisingly I have overlooked this, I will read and digest as it is lunch time.

You're welcome

 

[oracle]

You're welcome

You're welcome

Pete, you ever wonder how many people read, much less keep to Regs, Standards and Codes of Practice after doing a related course or exam? Pleased to see H intends to.