Key changes in Edition 5 of the Code of Practice for In-service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment

 Edition 5 of the Code of Practice has been updated significantly. Below is a summary of the major ones that have been taken into account during the update to this handbook.

Risk Based Frequency of Portable Appliance Testing

Edition 5 of the IET Code Of Practice (The official guide to PAT Testing) encourages the duty holder to carry out a risk assessment and gives various examples. In Chapter 7 of this handbook, we provide both a way of carrying out a risk assessment and a Table based guidance on how the frequency of maintenance can be worked out.

PAT Testing Electric kettles and other kitchen appliances

A variety of electrical appliances are in use in a normal kitchen. This chapter deals with PAT Testing of these - This is an extract from the PAT Testing Handbook published by First Stop Safety and available on Amazon

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.

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 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.

Edition 4 of the IET COP - Selling used electrical items

The new edition of the IET Code of Practice was launched last week. The preview information promised a new section presenting advice on the sale of pre-owned equipment so understandably I was quite excited. This promised to be good news for charity shops.

Edition 4 of IET Code of Practice launched

The long awaitied IET Code of Practice landed on my desk today and cost me £48.40. The previous editions came out in 1994,2001 and 2007; so only 5 years have elapsed since the last edition.

Testing surge protected extension leads

Most modern PAT testers have a facility for quickly testing surge protected extension leads. You just plug both ends of the power cord into the tester (using a short IEC lead) and quickly carry out the Earth Continuity, Insulation Resistance and Polarity (wiring) tests.

Nightmare plugs found in student accomodation

All of these plugs have been found in various student accomodation where PAT testing has been carried out. This highlights the importance of a good formal visual inspection which includes looking inside a plug.

Do you think they used a pair of scissors to strip the insulation on this one?

5 faults that a PAT tester will NOT find

Some users of PAT testers assume that ALL faults on an appliance can be found by plugging it into a PAT tester and carrying out the tests. This assumption can lead to a lot of faults with appliances NOT being found. Below are some of the common faults that can be missed.

Checking fuses in Plugs

This subject seems to always causes much confusion during our PAT Training courses - so thought about covering this in our first post.

During the course our advise is:

In a working appliance, if you find a 3 Amp or 5 Amp fuse then there is no need to change this. Just leave this in place.

If you find a 13A fuse, then check the power rating. This is usually found marked in Watts on the rating plate.