Is a dedicated PAT tester required or can it also be done with an MFT?

[oracle]

Saw videos on YouTube showing MFT's and DMM's used for testing equipment. Would these produce valid results considering the complicated array of adapters required

 

[Taylortwocities]

They will produce valid results, if you know what you are doing. Dedicated PAT testers are better if you are doing a lot of testing. Many of them will store the test results for later production of reports.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Not sure about all dedicated PAT testers, but I seem to recall that the one my company purchased could only test IR at 500V. Not good for some equipment such as battery drill chargers.
You may be able to find a list of equipment that should not be tested at 500V on line?

 

[suffolkspark]

You dont need any of the adapters that they sell to use your mft for this, all just money making, the only "essential" tests other than visual are insulation resistance and earth continuity. Both can be done by a MFT just fine with probes and croc clips.

As others have said PATesters tend to have additional functions, earth leakage for example, save, etc etc, guess it depends on your requirements

 

[Dannyg8810]

These are good if your just doing the odd item

Kewtech PATADAPTOR1: Convert 17th Edition - PAT Adaptor 1 - https://www.test-meter.co.uk/kewtech-pat-adaptor-1/?utm_source=google_shopping&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhJXrztaf3QIV6rDtCh2_-ghFEAQYAiABEgKurvD_BwE

Just need to know what is a PASS or FAIL as it won’t tell you like a PAT tester.

 

[suffolkspark]

Complete waste of £25 though... Much like kewtechs adaptors with the bayonet cap and es fittings for testing at lights

 

[Risteard]

If you want to check Earth continuity (bond) at 25A then you need a proper PAT tester. A 200mA test won't stress the cpc, which could be a single thread.

 

[oracle]

Suffolk Spark If your insulation test is clear why would you expect earth leakage

 

[oracle]

Risteard non of the so called "proper" hand held battery powered PAT testers can provide 25 Amp earth bond current

 

[suffolkspark]

Some appliances have functional earth leakage

 

[oracle]

Agreed, power supplies for one. The "clean earth" circuit provided for computers prevents their functional earths affecting other circuits in the installation.
I have a decent mains powered PAT tester that checks, amongst other things, Touch leakage, Substitute leakage and Differential leakage. Earth testing equipment properly is important.
My thread poses the axiom, can you test equipment properly with an MFT?

 

[oracle]

Danny your £25 PAT adaptor can be made for pennies with an extention lead socket and a couple of banana plugs. If someone owns an MFT they should know whether insulation or continuity readings are satisfactory. If not then they only need a simple tester like Seaward 50 that shows "Pass" and "Fail"

 

[Risteard]

Risteard non of the so called "proper" hand held battery powered PAT testers can provide 25 Amp earth bond current

I didn't say they could. I didn't advise using a battery tester.

The 25A Earth bond is important. 200mA is an almost useless test.

 

[davesparks]

Risteard non of the so called "proper" hand held battery powered PAT testers can provide 25 Amp earth bond current

Which is why their use should be restricted to only testing those items they are suitable for.