Tech: PAT testing

Subject: RE: Tech: PAT testing
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Sep 11 - 10:13 AM

Dave - try RS components
or Farnell and search for "Electrical safety labels"

Subject: RE: Tech: PAT testing
From: Jack's Rake
Date: 25 Sep 11 - 10:08 AM

From: GUEST,Auldtimer - PM
Date: 25 Sep 11 - 06:22 AM

"Testing the condition of the earth connections is only one of the tests,also covered are, polarity, type and size of plug top fuses, type and condition of plugtops and conectors, size and condition cables and appliances. Oh and multytesters won't do the all the tests required. "

Ok, I stand corrected. What I should have said was a multitester, a screwdriver and one or two fully functioning eyes.

Soz.

Subject: RE: Tech: PAT testing
From: Yvonne
Date: 25 Sep 11 - 09:30 AM

Treewind makes a very good point.

As the legislation also falls under the consumer act and a band would be classed as consumers of the electricity in a venue, then the venue should also be able to produce an Electrical Installation Safety Certificate to ensure that their sockets and wiring are safe for use by anyone using their sockets. (yes..it is all insane..but law)

The law says the testing can be done by a 'competent person'. However, I suspect that should anyone be killed by faulty equipment the law would argue that the only way to prove the person testing was 'competent' is for them to have been a fully qualified electrician.

Will Fly has it right. Get it tested by a certified Pat tester. No use crying over £50 or so!

Subject: RE: Tech: PAT testing
From: Dave Hunt
Date: 25 Sep 11 - 08:37 AM

'You can buy printed test labels, though I think I'll print my own next time. I won't be breaking any laws'

From above - where can you buy printed labels??

Subject: RE: Tech: PAT testing
From: treewind
Date: 25 Sep 11 - 07:36 AM

"a venue at which we played - a barn at a farm - insisted our equipment was PAT tested"

That's a good candidate for putting the boot on the other foot and requiring that the venue is providing a safe supply of electricity.
We've played in some terrible barns...

Most of what's been posted above makes sense. There is no hard-and-fast set of rules. Ultimately, it's down to common sense and appropriate testing methods and test intervals for the type of equipment and the way it is being used, and having it done by a "competent person". Visual checking of plugs and wires is an important part, so is knowing and understanding what you are doing.

You don't have to have a piece of paper saying you are qualified, or any kind of official certificate, but it is possible to encounter venue jobsworths who make their own rules. In those cases some kind of documentation helps, and annual testing seems to me a reasonable period - certainly one such insisted on a test within the last year.

I actually bought a Seaward PAC500 which is a simple insulation and earth continuity tester, and I test and label our PA kit once a year. I have a printed document stating what tests are done, which I can show to anyone who asks. If anyone asks if I'm qualified, I'll ask them if a degree in engineering and Electrical Sciences at Cambridge University counts...

You can buy printed test labels, though I think I'll print my own next time. I won't be breaking any laws.

Subject: RE: Tech: PAT testing
From: stallion
Date: 25 Sep 11 - 06:37 AM

point taken about polarity and fuse size, like everything else I do it so often it is part of a process i do without thinking!

Subject: RE: Tech: PAT testing
From: stallion
Date: 25 Sep 11 - 06:33 AM

Oh, I have these forms should anyone want some, laminate and tie wrap to the lead and fill in date and sign whenever one carries out the visual inspection, when full up remove and file and put a new one on. On most equipment what is looked for is the earthing and the efficacy of the insulation a multi meter isn't good enough and PAT testing machines are about de-skilling the job and not required if you know what you are about. However one can get a one day course on how to PAT test rent the machine and DIY which is more expensive than £25. Would there be a demand for PAT testing at festivals?
So using a calibrated, low reading ohm meter the resistance between the earth pin of the plug and the exposed metal parts of appliance (for class 1 equipment) should be 0.5 ohms or less, Using the meter on the High ohms scale The insulation resitance between the two line conductors (L & N pins) to earth should be greater than 20 megOhms. On class 2 equipment (double insulated) the High ohms range should be used for the first test and a reading greater than 20meg ohms is a pass. On sensative equipment please use the 240volt range cos 500volt range may fry your equipment
Peter

Subject: RE: Tech: PAT testing
From: Peter C
Date: 25 Sep 11 - 06:32 AM

The requirement is testing 'regularly' this is not defined in the regs. Our PA kit is tested by a friendly local electrician every couple of years or so, takes him about 10 minutes (actually longer to put the stickers on and do the paperwork than connecting up the machine!)

Subject: RE: Tech: PAT testing
From: GUEST,Auldtimer
Date: 25 Sep 11 - 06:25 AM

Building sites require testing every three months.

Subject: RE: Tech: PAT testing
From: GUEST,Auldtimer
Date: 25 Sep 11 - 06:22 AM

"Annoyingly, since PAT testing is simply a confirmation that the Earth connection works, anone with a multitester and a screwdriver could do it for themself."

Testing the condition of the earth connections is only one of the tests,also covered are, polarity, type and size of plug top fuses, type and condition of plugtops and conectors, size and condition cables and appliances. Oh and multytesters won't do the all the tests required.

Subject: RE: Tech: PAT testing
From: stallion
Date: 25 Sep 11 - 06:17 AM

PAT testing, Falls under the Electricity at Work Regulations, employers have a duty of care to to ensure that equipment used buy employees are fit for purpose and will not cause death or injury through shock or fire. These regulations are a legal document and enforcible in law, BS7671 (Formerly the IEE regulations are a guide and not legally enforcible however may be referred to in a court of law as "best practice"
Appliances for domestic use are not required to be tested unless care workers or houshold servants are employed in the domestic household. Tennanted properties are usually required, by the local authority, to have their equipment PAT tested.
In so far as bands are concerned the equipment they use should be similiar to that of building sites, that everytime the equipment is used it should be visually inspected for mechanical damage (cracked casing, worn or damaged leads or plugs) Inspected by a "competant person" after each repair or a set period of time, usually annually, however that time period is set by the inspector. I have site inspection sheets which, if maintained, ie filled in every time the equipment is used, then this serves as proof of on going regular maintenance and inspection is being carried out (similiar to that of ladders, steps, scaffolding and leads) then it would be fair to say that a bi-annual test may be sufficient. At the end of the day it is down to the paymaster to dictate terms!

Subject: RE: Tech: PAT testing
From: GUEST,Auldtimer
Date: 25 Sep 11 - 06:10 AM

Since 1980 it has been a legal requirement that if you are an employer with people working for you who uses or has access to electrical equipment owned by you you must have proof that it is reguarly inspected and is safe to use. PAT testing and the associated papperwork is one way of proving this.

I am constantly dismayed that so fiew employers are aware of this.

If you are self-employed you are your own employer so this law also involves you.

PAT testing could be looked on as "voluntary" but if your plug-in appliances are unsafe when in use and someone is injured, the law and any involved insurance companies will rather unkindly on you.

PAT tests or Portable Appliance Testing tests cover any appliances that plug into a socket of any voltage, including extention cables, plug adaptors, power supplies for laptops, amps, and lighting rigs.

Subject: RE: Tech: PAT testing
From: Jack's Rake
Date: 25 Sep 11 - 05:56 AM

Bah, no edit facility. "anone" = "anyone", of course.

Subject: RE: Tech: PAT testing
From: Jack's Rake
Date: 25 Sep 11 - 05:53 AM

I've been trying to get to the bottom of this recently because, for the first time ever, a venue at which we played - a barn at a farm - insisted our equipment was PAT tested. We've just bought a PA from a fairly well known band, one of whose fathers posts on here, who had had it tested in 2008. The school at which I work has all the equipment tested annually but I do not know if this is a legal requirement or just LEA (or whatever we now call it) policy.

In the time I spent searching I was unable to find a definitive answer. The most common opinions where that it was completely optional, it had to be done annually, it had to be done every three years and as long as you've had it done once it's ok. Eventually I got bored and looked for an electrician on the Sheffield Forum. Found one ... did it the next day at my house ... 25 quid.

Sorry that none of that helps but, to get to the crux of the matter, if a venue insists your stuff is tested then you'll have to have it done.

Annoyingly, since PAT testing is simply a confirmation that the Earth connection works, anone with a multitester and a screwdriver could do it for themself. Sadly - the world don't work that way.

Subject: RE: Tech: PAT testing
From: GUEST,Woodsie
Date: 25 Sep 11 - 05:33 AM

As far as I am know PAT testing is a voluntary thing and can be carried out by any competant person. It comes under the Health and Safety at Work umrella of rules, acts, laws etc. Basically it is the resposibllity of both employer and employee to ensure that electrical equipment is maintained at a safe level. Electricians use this as an excuse to extort huge sums of money out of businesses/individuals. The intitute of electrical engineers charge £30 for a paperback pamphlet "Code of Practice for In-service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment" You can stick a sticker on the appliance that says that it has been taested on whatever date and by who. I suppose if you are doing a gig the person who pays you is the employer. If you show him/her your sticker and then get electrocuted ...

Subject: RE: Tech: PAT testing
From: Will Fly
Date: 25 Sep 11 - 04:32 AM

The venue, if it cares at all, usually asks the performer for proof of PAT test of equipment. All our band stuff was done by a certified tester.

Subject: Tech: PAT testing
From: GUEST,Dave (Bridge)
Date: 25 Sep 11 - 04:19 AM

What are the legal requirements for PAT testing in the UK? I have been asked a number of times to provide proof of testing and also been told many times that the responsibility falls upon the venue if they require it as PAT test is only valid at the time of testing similar to a MOT