Thought provoking PAT question!

I think that you start with a definition for a portable appliance then you come across the grey areas for specific types of appliance which might include, Gas boilers, fire alarm panels, CNC machines,  Robots, UPS's, back up generators, as well as some of the IOTs. I see that braking systems are specific to certain types of machine and not within the general scope of in-service  electrical equipment

Therefore I might suggest that any machine that doesn't have a preexisting British Standard and maintenance contract might be considered as fair game for PAT. Whether or not the inspector is able to take the appropriate view and subsequent action is another matter.

Legh

It made me stop and think having never been asked this when I used to teach the PAT course.. Thank you for your replies. 


I can see the concern of the PAT guy and that he may be extending his remit but I can also see the client in the event of an incident desperately looking for some "paperwork" to say "not my fault" and dragging the PAT guy into the mire..............


The Code of Practice for In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment (IITEE) 15.7 on p96 does require Functional checks "to ensure that the item of equipment is working properly".


As to whether "working properly" would expect the PAT guy to have this "additional" knowledge is something that would have to be legally tested and I certainly wouldn't be queuing up to be  an expert witness!


Then there's the aspect of instruction booklets that come with equipment. Should the PAT guy ask for these before he starts? Dare I say most of us would not consider reading these before conducting a "PAT" or using the machine?


Regards


BOD

When teaching, I'd encourage attendees to bring it their PAT testing kit and get them to do a test on two items I brought in. One being a kettle that to get an earth on it, the lead had to be clipped to the heavily limescaled element which stretched a few.

But favourite, was my sneaky one, that was a fan heater with 1 and 2 kW settings that had a one element winding snapped and hanging loose but not in contact with the casing. Happily passed the insulation test (if the candidate did test both heat settings) but failed the functional test.


Regards


BOD

How do you functional test a washing machine on every setting through every programme?


Andy B.

It is interesting you would think if the pillar drill or grinder was fixed and mounted on a workbench then it is no longer classed as portable otherwise everything can be considered as portable. John@ https://toolinspector.com/best-angle-grinder/

There is a new COP for In-service I and T of Electrical Equipment on the way (5th Edition). As I understand it, it will address this area where equipment is often left unchecked because it doesn’t sit comfortably in either the fixed wiring or PAT side of inspection regimes.