Hi Guys
I've just had a discussion with my boss about cable sizes when pat tesing 415v equipment.
This is how i have been dealing with cable sizes.
If i have an extension lead with 32A plugs and sockets on I always make sure it has a minimum of 4mm cable so that it is capable of carrying the full load current of 32A as i have no idea of what equipment will be plugged into the extension lead.
On the other hand if i have a new piece of equipment delivered to the factory it may have 2.5mm cable, 32A plug, but the rating plate states the device only draws 10A for instance. Providing all other checks are ok I would pass this equipment. As i know that the cable is capable of carrying the load as i know what is fitted to it.
Now my boss had a welder delivered recently which had 2.5mm cable and the rating plate stated it draws 10A. He wouldn't fit a 32A plug on it as the the cable would be underrated for the supply it was being plugged into and under fault conditions the cable could draw more current than the cable was intended to carry and could catch fire. So what he did was fit a 16A plug. He then made a made a portable box with a 16A mcb fitted. This box was then fitted in between the 32 mains socket and the device.
Now I understand why he did this but as the main pat tester I'm now unsure of where my responsibilities end.
Should i pass equipment with 2.5mm cable and 32A plugs.
We dont have 16A sockets on the shop floor at the moment so fitting 16A plugs isn't an option at the moment.
Cheers
Nick
I've just had a discussion with my boss about cable sizes when pat tesing 415v equipment.
This is how i have been dealing with cable sizes.
If i have an extension lead with 32A plugs and sockets on I always make sure it has a minimum of 4mm cable so that it is capable of carrying the full load current of 32A as i have no idea of what equipment will be plugged into the extension lead.
On the other hand if i have a new piece of equipment delivered to the factory it may have 2.5mm cable, 32A plug, but the rating plate states the device only draws 10A for instance. Providing all other checks are ok I would pass this equipment. As i know that the cable is capable of carrying the load as i know what is fitted to it.
Now my boss had a welder delivered recently which had 2.5mm cable and the rating plate stated it draws 10A. He wouldn't fit a 32A plug on it as the the cable would be underrated for the supply it was being plugged into and under fault conditions the cable could draw more current than the cable was intended to carry and could catch fire. So what he did was fit a 16A plug. He then made a made a portable box with a 16A mcb fitted. This box was then fitted in between the 32 mains socket and the device.
Now I understand why he did this but as the main pat tester I'm now unsure of where my responsibilities end.
Should i pass equipment with 2.5mm cable and 32A plugs.
We dont have 16A sockets on the shop floor at the moment so fitting 16A plugs isn't an option at the moment.
Cheers
Nick