pat testing

[zacazoom]

Could someone help, i was looking at going on a pat testing course my friend is giving me a robin smartpat 5000, I have done some reading an wondered if someone could explain, on my pat tester i have certain auto tests for class 1 and class 2, if testing class 2 epuipment , ie a washing machine with a circuit board or any other class 2 with circuit boards, should i not use the auto test , because I should be testing this part of the washing machine as IT equipment so the earth leakage is done at a lower level, or is this not a problem, also on class 1 and 2 if there is sensitive equipment why am i still testing 500 v will it not blow circuits if they exist. Please excuse my ignorance I have only just started reading.

 

[glasgowspark]

no, your quite right.

Vulnerable equipment should have insulation resistance tested at 250vdc (although in some cases you will get away with it at 500vdc but still bad pratice).

This is why I dont use a PAT tester device for doing PAT testing. I actually use a 17th edition multimeter by using crocodile clips and clipping to the plug prongs, etc. Using a multimeter also allows you to calculate in actaul value numbers the resitance of the power leads/flexes seperately from the appliance. Some, if not most, PAT testers will wrongly fail appliances because the cable resistance adds to the overall appliance resistance while it is perfectly acceptable to be deducting this to achieve a pass.

(Before anyone disagrees, make sure you read the guidance notes in full )

 

[zacazoom]

appreciated, many thanks,

just to add , in my original post I said class 2 for a washing machine, I really meant class 1 or class 2 with a circuit board. I just used a washing machine as an example, obvoulsly class 2 has no earth.

 

[guitargraham]

Hi i recently bought a Primetest 200 and could not understand how to do the lower voltage test on items like IT equipment, when i asked Seaward this was the reply,

"Class 1 testing is 200mA earth bond, 500v insulation resistance. The only option available is to not perform the insulation test if he believes the test voltage will damage the equipment, not manufactured to 60950 as stated in the code of practice. And replaces this test with the earth leakage powered test."

Hope this helps, it did me.

Cheers

Graham

 

[sparkswillfly]

you can probably get a dvd on flea bay which will explain all aspects of pat testing

 

[glasgowspark]

Or you can sign up to Dave Austin's and Tony Cable's Learning Lounge. He has a pretty good PAT Test video on there.

 

[Graeme Harrold]

Not sure if its going to have the same auto sequence tests as the Fluke 6500 as both ranges of machine are from similar pedigree's. I have the 6500 and I can select (or program an new sequence) that will test class 1 at a lower current to protect vunerable circuits. I presume you got the manual with your machine?

User Manual think this is the one