Would this have been allowed?

[Rockingit]

I was doing a bunch of very dull office pat testing yesterday, 90% IT so hardly anything to do. It suddenly occured to me that as I could see everything bit of kit fully to be able to verify the visual condition, and I knew eveything was operable, if I just tested the via the plug on the end of each 6 way extension that they were all hanging from, I could effectively do 3 whole machines with one push of the button. I didn't, but I could have.

Right or wrong?

 

[oldtimer]

Well you are meant to test seperate items but as I have said before clarification is need as we have "PAT" testers who cannot explain how a class II equipment test is done ie the tester shorts out the L&N so what is it referencing to ? as they say I just set the tester to class II and push the button to be honest I thought the H&S review would give us some answers but instead it was a sabre rattling exercise to contain the PAT companies who were out of control. Whether you are right or wrong does not matter as you are the one who signs that you have done it as per the COPs

 

[moospark]

Did a call centre last year, about 2 football pitches big, over 3 floors. Started testing every lead individually, no chance. test in batches I think is o.k. Obviously any batch comes in low then start going individual, I spent 9 weeks on that job, back shift, in bloody Sunderland ! How many fails? 1! and that was visual because some one had slammed a door over a lead. still it paid canny at a thin time......

 

[oldtimer]

I dont envy you I do PAT testing as part of my business and it works out to be 20 items a month and thats enough for me but 9 weeks naa no thanks

 

[RISElectrical]

I cant see any harm in it.

 

[Darkwood]

I cant see how you could do it this way as test sheets have earth bond resistance tests, functional load tests with leakage and sub-leakage columns which require a value not a tick or cross, multi-testing as you suggest would give false readings, i also have a software package that graphs out results and compares the reading from previous years so as to highlight trends in insulation breakdown and earthing issues which may still pass but show a impending failure.
Its an area where i feel you can't really cut corners or your results wont be true and as your recording ohms and M-ohms values it can only be done 1 item at a time.

 

[trev]

Did a call centre last year, about 2 football pitches big, over 3 floors. Started testing every lead individually, no chance. test in batches I think is o.k. Obviously any batch comes in low then start going individual, I spent 9 weeks on that job, back shift, in bloody Sunderland ! How many fails? 1! and that was visual because some one had slammed a door over a lead. still it paid canny at a thin time......

9 Weeks pat testing on back shift in Sunderland?
Could life get any worse? At least you're done with it now mate

 

[Darkwood]

also to consider is your tester will do an earth bond test if you have multiple items plugged in and parallel paths its possible to miss an item that failed as it won't be seen by the tester.

 

[Rockingit]

Maybe I should have clarified - because I do so little PAT testing (got the cert, btw) I only ever use my MFT for testing as it's just not worth my while to buy a dedicated tester - so you know when you do an IR L/N > E that it's going to get everything commoned together.

I admire the concept behind tracking and graphs and things - but honestly tell me, what customer is really interested? They're just interested in a green sticker showing on every plug top.

 

[oldtimer]

I use to say soory its not worth me doing it but it started to affect the business so I tooled up and so far it will pay for its self in the first year although now that I am into it I despair with all the smoke and mirrors that surround it and by just how little guys who have been doing it for years know about it

 

[moospark]

All I.T class 2, so I.R. and visual only really, no earth bond test and sealed plugs, I could so easily have just stickered the lot, but I didn't. When I did the 2377, there was a bloke going out to Afganistan (non spark) his point was it would be pretty bad to dodge bullets all day, and then get fried sticking some toast on. Sure I.T. a bit daft 'cos you are testing at 250v which is pretty much operating current, but on a building site? yeah, you have a duty to do it right. Still laugh every time I see level 3 on that cert though!
Yes Trev. I am a Geordie, I dont have to tell you how hard.

 

[trev]

Yes Trev. I am a Geordie, I dont have to tell you how hard.

Were there lots of orange women in this place with annoying accents? Where abouts are you from Moo?

 

[Darkwood]

Maybe I should have clarified - because I do so little PAT testing (got the cert, btw) I only ever use my MFT for testing as it's just not worth my while to buy a dedicated tester - so you know when you do an IR L/N > E that it's going to get everything commoned together.

I admire the concept behind tracking and graphs and things - but honestly tell me, what customer is really interested? They're just interested in a green sticker showing on every plug top.

It changes it a bit that its a rare one off for you but if your using MFT how can you test computers etc which have to be done on reduced safe currents so not to damage the electronics, and although i know your very competent in what you do just be weary that you dont get yourself cornered, it only takes someone to get a shock off something you tested and you wont stand a chance in court as you haven't got or done any kind of industry recognised training course ... its like anything it might be easy to understand and do but without the right paperwork behind you then your an open target in this compensation culture.

Id get a basic cheaper Pass/fail tester in your case as these are aimed at your usage level but because they are set testing voltages and current it will fail things like longer extension leads even though they would normally pass on a programmable PAT tester, and yes totally agree its quite a fancy over the top programme but its starting to pay for itself as i do alot of machine tools and it can see trends on drills and grinders that are due to fail, its impressed the customers and avoided tool failure with a pre-emptive service of any tools showing signs.

Edit.... ignore most of this just re-read and you have a cert.... so mostly pointless waffle

 

[oldtimer]

The thing is in a house I&T you link the L&N together and then test to the earth but if you dont hook on the earth you will always get a clear reading so the same applies to class II yep I get the put your probe on to the metal parts ie the the chuck of a drill or the metal of a heater that has the class II mark on it but what about the all plastic hoover.

PS and dont say I dunnow I just set it to classII and press the button

 

[Adam W]

As already mentioned you'd need to do the earth continuity tests separately anyway, but yes, theoretically you can 'bunch test' multiple items the same as IR'ing a building. If all the items pass you could just record >200MΩ for all of them. If one passes or they all have low IR bringing down the total, you'd have to test individually.

I've sometimes considered just plugging all the appliances in and doing IR at the incomer. Provided all the appliances pass you could do all the appliances in the building with one push of a button. Sadly I don't think that would work.