Insert to PAT Testing Handbook - Summary of changes introduced in Edition 4 of the IET Code of Practice

In November 2012 the IET launched Edition 4 of the “Code of Practice for In-service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment”. This introduced a number of significant changes to the recommendations on how Portable Appliance Testing is carried out.

The scope of this handbook has always been wider than the IET Code of Practice. However to keep our readers up to date with current industry thinking, we have decided to produce this insert to highlight these new recommendations.

Fixed Electrical Appliance Testing

A few weeks ago a customer inquired whether we provide test leads to go with our PAT Testers to test Fixed Appliances. When we asked why he wanted to do this, he said he had been advised to do this on a course based around the 4th Edition of the IET COP. 

This post tries to put the record straight.

Earth Continuity testing - 20 Amps or 200 mAmps

Following a recent Twitter campaign, we had a training organisation challenging the use of 200 mA for testing Earth Continuity. As it is impossible to respond comprehensively using Twitter, here is my view on the use of 200 mA for testing not only IT equipment but all equipment.

Risk based PAT testing - a proposal

The IET Code of Practice in its Edition 4, recommends adopting a risk based PAT testing. ie decide on the frequency of inspection and test based on the actual risk posed by the appliance. This post presents a proposal on how a duty holder could work this out for themselves.

Note: This proposal has been updated on the 3rd of June 2013. 

Electrical Safety in Cuba - Low on the list of priorities?

The daughter of a colleague at work has just returned from a holiday on Cuba and took these interesting photos. Thought I'd share these.

City and Guilds 2377

This post presents detailed information about the City and Guilds 2377 qualification. This will be of interest to everyone wanting a level 3 award from C&G to show their proficiency in Portable Appliance Testing.

Dangerous IEC power cords

Recently, a sample of an IEC power cord was sent to me by Gerald Ruane of Ashdale Electrical Testing. This was following a Linkedin discussion started by Patrick Maher of PAT's Testing Swindon. Below is a report on this highly dangerous lead.

Dangerous lamp found in holiday cottage

Thanks to Jim Ransley of Cornish Quay Holidays Ltd for the information used in this post. Along with the images supplied, the e-mail from Jim says it all so I have reproduced this in whole.

Interesting appliances found during PAT Testing

It's always useful to share information regarding interesting appliances found during PAT Testing. Here is a small selection either found by First Stop Safety or passed to us from customers. We look at a 6 Amp extension lead, a Juicer with a mistake on it's rating plate and a slide viewer manufactured in the 1960s.