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Hello,
I am a Trainee here on the Forum. I am seeking some further advice/input on a specific technical matter of importance to me.
Briefly, I have completed C&G level 1 in electrical installation (distinction) and I am currently on the level 2 course, and things are going well on that score.
However, I am having problems securing unpaid work experience or employment, so I have decided to start my own business making handcrafted luminaires that I will sell to the public. Initially these will be mostly of a steel industrial aesthetic design. I understand the business/legal side of this quite well and don't need advice on that. I also know how to make the lamps and how they function electrically. That's not a problem.
But I decided that I would also need to test the lamps before sale. This is chiefly out of a genuine concern for safety but also partly for marketing reasons. I know it's not mandatory, but I still think it's a good idea. To this end, I enrolled on the C&G 2377-22 course (in-service inspection & testing - i.e. "PAT testing"), and I've now completed this.
I did score 94% in the online theory assessment and I sailed through the practical - I mention this to show you that I am serious - however I am NOT yet qualified or competent. I realise that I still have further reading/experience and training to undertake before I actually attempt to undertake any in-service inspection/testing, whether professionally as an appliance inspector or as part of making luminaires for others.
One question I still have is about the high current earth bond test and its possible relevancy to my lamps. Obviously these will be constructed as Class I appliances. I asked my tutor and he advised that I should not run that test on my lamps. He told me that, for the purposes of testing earth, I should just stick to the low current continuity test, which I must admit makes sense. (Obviously I would complete the other Class I machine tests as well, per the Code of Practice).
After considering his advice and doing some further research/reading of my own, I have come to the view that he is correct. My understanding is that I should limit my testing of protective earthing on steel lamps I make to an ‘IT-safe’ low current soft test at up to 200mA.
The reasons are:
(i). the low current test is adequate for steel lamps (and also most common types of equipment and appliances – ordinary cookers, washing machines, toasters, computers, and so on - in the event I also decide to go into PAT testing professionally);
(ii). it minimises the possibility of damage as a result of testing; and,
(iii). it is also the case that an earth bond test can be unsafe in the context of routine testing as the higher current can mask earth resistance faults which would be more easily picked up on by a low current test.
Obviously, if - in my reasonable judgement - I believe that a particular equipment/appliance will require earth bond testing, or (when testing appliances made by somebody else) such a test is recommended by the manufacturer, that would be a different matter.
Is my thinking here along the right lines? If there are flaws in my reasoning, I'd appreciate some constructive input. Obviously I appreciate this is all on me at the end of the day, just looking for pointers.
If you decide to respond, please understand that I am not holding myself out as a qualified electrician or pretending that I know what I am talking about. I am still a trainee/novice in these matters and would value some advice/guidance - if only just out of an abundance of caution. I have too much respect for my customers and the dangers of electricity to take risks.
Without wishing any disrespect to the PAT testing sub-forum, I felt this is something that should be posted to the main/general forum for consideration by electricians. However, if the moderators believe this should be re-directed to the sub-forum, that's fine.
I am a Trainee here on the Forum. I am seeking some further advice/input on a specific technical matter of importance to me.
Briefly, I have completed C&G level 1 in electrical installation (distinction) and I am currently on the level 2 course, and things are going well on that score.
However, I am having problems securing unpaid work experience or employment, so I have decided to start my own business making handcrafted luminaires that I will sell to the public. Initially these will be mostly of a steel industrial aesthetic design. I understand the business/legal side of this quite well and don't need advice on that. I also know how to make the lamps and how they function electrically. That's not a problem.
But I decided that I would also need to test the lamps before sale. This is chiefly out of a genuine concern for safety but also partly for marketing reasons. I know it's not mandatory, but I still think it's a good idea. To this end, I enrolled on the C&G 2377-22 course (in-service inspection & testing - i.e. "PAT testing"), and I've now completed this.
I did score 94% in the online theory assessment and I sailed through the practical - I mention this to show you that I am serious - however I am NOT yet qualified or competent. I realise that I still have further reading/experience and training to undertake before I actually attempt to undertake any in-service inspection/testing, whether professionally as an appliance inspector or as part of making luminaires for others.
One question I still have is about the high current earth bond test and its possible relevancy to my lamps. Obviously these will be constructed as Class I appliances. I asked my tutor and he advised that I should not run that test on my lamps. He told me that, for the purposes of testing earth, I should just stick to the low current continuity test, which I must admit makes sense. (Obviously I would complete the other Class I machine tests as well, per the Code of Practice).
After considering his advice and doing some further research/reading of my own, I have come to the view that he is correct. My understanding is that I should limit my testing of protective earthing on steel lamps I make to an ‘IT-safe’ low current soft test at up to 200mA.
The reasons are:
(i). the low current test is adequate for steel lamps (and also most common types of equipment and appliances – ordinary cookers, washing machines, toasters, computers, and so on - in the event I also decide to go into PAT testing professionally);
(ii). it minimises the possibility of damage as a result of testing; and,
(iii). it is also the case that an earth bond test can be unsafe in the context of routine testing as the higher current can mask earth resistance faults which would be more easily picked up on by a low current test.
Obviously, if - in my reasonable judgement - I believe that a particular equipment/appliance will require earth bond testing, or (when testing appliances made by somebody else) such a test is recommended by the manufacturer, that would be a different matter.
Is my thinking here along the right lines? If there are flaws in my reasoning, I'd appreciate some constructive input. Obviously I appreciate this is all on me at the end of the day, just looking for pointers.
If you decide to respond, please understand that I am not holding myself out as a qualified electrician or pretending that I know what I am talking about. I am still a trainee/novice in these matters and would value some advice/guidance - if only just out of an abundance of caution. I have too much respect for my customers and the dangers of electricity to take risks.
Without wishing any disrespect to the PAT testing sub-forum, I felt this is something that should be posted to the main/general forum for consideration by electricians. However, if the moderators believe this should be re-directed to the sub-forum, that's fine.
.
