PAT test

[Steve]

What is a "visual inspection" and what equipment should it be done on? We recently had a guy come and PAT test everything at our shop, and he only properly tested about 6 appliances, total 40 appliances Most things were electronic (tills, computer, cctv), but he tested fridges, toaster, etc.

 

[Belle427]

everything requires a visual first,if a lead or casing is damaged then the test goes no further,it fails,appliances are tested at different intervals,it stuff can be done every couple of years but regularly used equipment needs more frequent testing,most people who carry out the testing dont have a clue what they are doing and what to look for

 

[Steve]

sorry, last night's post was made in a rush. This guy had a yellow piece of test equipment which he kept playing with. He tested toaster, microwave, kettle, and freezer upstairs.

He simply looked at the computer, UPS, printer, and all the CCTV kit, and stuck a (visual) sticker on them all (while pressing buttons on his yellow tester/computery thing). Is it possible to PAT test such equipment (given the test current/voltages)? Or was he just being lazy?

And what is the definition of "portable"? He tested 2 dairy fridges (open front), which plug in. Is this the criteria? anything that plugs in? (we have 3 other dairys that plug in, in the ceiling void which he didnt test). Yes the fridges that he tested aren't exactly portable - they are siliconed into the space they sit in!

 

[JohnD]

With a bit of luck, he would have had a test schedule, with an inventory of all the equipment known to be in your shop, serial no's if any, date last tested, test results, comments. This might have been recorded on his laptop/handheld.

If he did have that, then he ought to have known what equipment was due for test yesterday, might not have been everything.

Without such an inventory, no-one knows if you've peeled off test labels and stuck them on different appliances, or if you hid your 1920's toaster when he came round.

 

[Steve]

nothing's ever been tested before (shops been open 3 years believe it or not). he just tested everything he saw. even tested a radio that one of the staff brought in for the world cup.

 

[Belle427]

everything with a plug on basically can be tested,it may not be deemed portable but that doesnt matter,you can still test sensetive equipment but on lower settings