Steve Daning, Managing Director of Martindale Electric, is advised on how to properly make a PAT mobile test.
Every year, a large number of electrical accidents, which include many mobile devices, are reported to the HSE executive (HSE) in the UK. According to electrical regulations at work (1989), any electrical equipment must have the ability to cause a safe condition.
It is designed to help raise electrical safety standards in the workplace, and the test of mobile devices ensures that the electrical devices and equipment that were classified as “carried” are safe to use.
For PAT test purposes, mobile devices are defined as those that use a cable or a flexible and socket connection. This means that if the device contains a plug connected to a socket or a generator on the wall, it must be tested. This definition includes either hand -handcuffed or handcrafted equipment, intended or likely to be transferred (see the fifth edition of the IT practice code for the full definition).
To help companies in a mobile devices test strategy, there are many commercial training courses. These are invaluable to help provide the theoretical and practical knowledge necessary to conduct the test and examine various electrical appliances.
Although the fifth version of the IT Practice Blog emphasizes the need to evaluate risk, partly to reduce unnecessary tests, it still requires a qualified person to test a test for mobile devices.
When conducting inspection and testing, the training course will provide a high level of necessary knowledge and give invaluable information about the correct test equipment for its use, the ability to use it properly, and the ability to properly understand the test results. However, even for an experienced user from mobile test, there are 12 potential errors that must be avoided carefully:
1) Lack of visual examination
It may seem clear, but before measuring the condition of the device, make sure all its parts are – and in good condition. Any signs of damage should be reported as well as any scratches/scratches on the cover. These can indicate that the device has been dropped or incorrectly processed at some point in its life. If the cable shows the signs of corrosion or not properly connected, then it should be recorded because it may indicate that the device is unsafe.
2) Not to take the tests in the required order
If you are on a 1 -category device, you test the insulation first, you do not know if the path of the ground is good (in the 1st Class devices, most Pats use the ground wire as the return signal path, which is why you do not need to use a probe to test the insulation). If the Earth’s path is not tested and proven well, you cannot rely on the insulation test.
3) Forget the operation of the device
Think about the position in which the living wire is broken inside the device and touched the outer cover. When you test the insulation, everything should be inside the device at 250/500 V. The laboratory (via probe or wire) discovers any effort escapes to the cover of the device. But if you haven’t changed it on the voltage, you cannot pass through the direct wire, nothing will escape and you can have an incorrect pass from a dangerous device.
4) Touching the device
The fact is that most devices pass the insulation test, so you can usually get pregnancy on exercises, etc. to facilitate the probe in contact. Then one day, devices insulation failed and lead to shock.
5) Performing the Earth Association test only
If the device has multiple external parts, apparently isolated, with separate separate tracks, each of them should be measured separately (some of the first laboratories had standard test serials that only expect you to take a single ground test).
6) Take medium reading
If you have multiple ground tracks, do not take medium reading – it’s the worst of concern.
7) Try to conduct a land bond test on a second -class device
You will fail, of course, because the second -class devices have no land. This is a very common problem and causes a large number of calls on technical aid lines.
8) Perform a single insulation test only
For the same reason No. 5, this is a common mistake. How many places are on the power tool that can the insulation collapse? It is clear in Chuck, but what about ventilation holes, operator, assembly nails, and speed control?
9) Not to verify valves (see point No. 3)
You do not have to take a separate vicious test – the job test will prove that the device is both and that a wet is fine.
10) Failure to take a functional test (operation)
Some entry levels do not have the ability to operate the device. If your PAT test is not tested, you should connect the device in the wall socket (after the PAT test) and make sure it works properly. Putting the first letters on a pass for a device that does not work or is clearly shameful that is somewhat embarrassing.
11) Not to test in the right effort
It is very common for people to make a 500 -volt test error on the tweezers of the mutation protection. This requires the voltage test of 250 volts less, and it is especially useful when testing devices with heights, such as sensitive information technology equipment at 250 V.
12) Not calculating the correct traffic level
Many devices use energy cables longer than those specified by the manufacturer. The current success level of the device is calculated with a taller energy cable differently than the level of success of a device with a shorter energy cable. The current success level of a device with a longer power cable can be determined through an account available in the Pat Practical Code.
Given the importance of the Pat test and the wide variation in the operating environments and equipment that will be tested, it is extremely important to ensure the right device choosing to suit the application. It is often ignored but very important when choosing a test is to ensure that all the bases are covered not only on devices but also with the stretching of the electrical current.
It is also important to consider the accessories early in the selection process such as stickers, transformers, etc. Ideally, the unit will have a good set of accessories easily for use through a wide range of applications.
Get more details about the Martindale collection of Pat test equipment here
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