PAT testing computers question

[messroom]

Can you do a full pat test a computer without frying it using a non specialist pat tester?Thanks.

 

[plugwash]

some tests are safer than others, you really need a tester that can be told what tests to do.

if you IR test at over mains voltage you run the risk of setting off transiant protection and also blowing up anything that was on its way out already.

run tests power off the computer without letting it finish booting which brings a significant risk of data curruption.

flash testing is also pretty risky.

i'm not sure but i belive the norm for pat testing computers is IR at 250V and earth bond test, can anyone confirm this?

 

[Spark123]

Going by what tests the AVO PAT4/DVF does for a PC it does an earth continuity check @ 200mA with a max oc voltage of 4v, then it does an operation test with a pass rate of 500VA and at the same time an earth leakage test with a pass rate of 3.5mA or less. Apart from the initial visual there are no more checks.

 

[plugwash]

does it keep the PC running long enough for you to shut it down properly or does it kill the power while its still booting?

 

[Spark123]

iirc the factory set operation test lasts for something like 5 seconds, it is user definable though. I'm not 100% sure of the 5s figure, maybe someone else can confirm this?? If I get chance tomorrow i'll have a play.

 

[Pensdown]

Johnd loves RCBO's and pictures & I hate PC PA testing

And just to answer plugs question, if there are any PA testers out there; how many of you turn the PC on?.......I think the answer will be none because it's far to risky so in reality all that gets tested is the cable.

 

[Adam_151]

And just to answer plugs question, if there are any PA testers out there; how many of you turn the PC on?.......I think the answer will be none because it's far to risky so in reality all that gets tested is the cable.

Yeah, seen that, and sometimes if the leads are of indentical types and age, only one gets pulled out to be tested (and gets put through the tester multiple times if it is an automated database making tester)

 

[Spark123]

With the PAT4 a standard iec lead can be tested as an extension cable.
To do what you say adam is classed as fraud. The tester will be getting paid to test each item, not the same lead numerous times. The biggest risk here is leaving something in service which is not safe, anyone caught doing this should never be allowed to work in the electrical industry ever again.

Re should the PC be tested with it powered up, I would say yes as with it in standby sort of defeats the object to me. It may be viable to up the operation/earth leakage test time to 30secs and on the PC press del to enter bios, disconnect the keyboard or something similar.

The factory setting for the PAT4 op test is 5s btw.

 

[Steve]

When they come and PAT everything at our shops, they just write "visual" on all the IT equipment, just have a good look around it all and play with their little touch screen testing gizmo.

 

[Spark123]

Visuals are probably the most important part of a PAT test, as long as they are logging the fact that is what they have done and your H&S dept is happy with it then that is good enough. Take things supplied with a plug in transformer, apart from a visual and maybe an operation/earth leak test theres not much more else that you can do.

 

[Belle427]

im sure you substitute the ir test for a leakage test on it stuff