Posted By Jim Walker Don't take this the wrong way! Is your tester properly trained? They might be doing inappropriate tests for the type of equipment. How exactly is it failing (which test). When I worked for a well known Electrical manufacturer we had to employ a techy who did nothing but "educate" companies who said our products were faulty out of box

Posted By GJB Davis Hi, I've logged in under a different name as I'm now in work and can't remember my normal log in password. Jim, He is from a company that I've used before and have been previously happy with their standard of work. However I haven't checked the guy whose doing the work's training but I will now. I haven't asked why they've failed as he's working on our site equipment at the moment. Charlie, They haven't cut the plugs off just put the red label on them. The amazing thing is that a computer that 'failed' last year has passed this year! I will ask therefore ask the questions of them you both have suggested. Thanks for your help. Giles

Posted By David MacFarlane Our Portable Appliance Tester really is called Pat!!!!! These are the little ironies that keep you going in this job eh?!

Posted By Colin Bruce Hi The IEE code of practice for In-service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment Gives a recommendation that for offices and shops ( where IT equipment is mostly used ) class 1 equipment requires a formal visual inspection every 24 months with a combined inspection and testing every 48 months, class 11 should be given a formal visual inspection every 24 months with no combined inspection and testing required,I am informed that this is because that testing of such equipment with a PAT tester will blow the low voltage circuit's and processers etc,new equipment should not require testing or inspection until it is two years old as it is covered by the manufacturers use for purpose. I hope this is of help Colin

Posted By Glyn Phillips Two years ago we purchased some new hydrogen generators for the laboratory I was responsible for. The manufacturers told us before we purchased them that they would fail a PA test. They explained why they would fail (something to do with the inbuilt electronic protection systems)and they spoke directly with our in house testers to confirm that they understood the problem. They also told us that should the instrument be damaged by inappropriate testing that the repair would not be covered under the warranty. In addition a small sticker on the instrument also stated that the equipment would fail a PA test. They of course offered to do the routine testing themselves - for a price! This information was entered into the equipment log so we didn't get a large bill for the repair in the future. To reduce the risk of the equipment being damaged we decided to 'hard wire' the instruments which negates the need for routine PA testing. Agreed, not an option for desk top computers, but some 'portable' equipment either isn't portable, or does not need to be moved from its operating position. In these instances hard wiring is a suitable option.

Posted By Raymond Rapp I thought that office type equipment (computers etc) were not supposed to be PAT because the process can damage sensitive equipment. Visual checks of leads, plugs etc is good enough. Ray

Posted By GJB Davis Jim, Sorry for the long delay, I was out of the office for a long time. I've had a look at some of the results and to give you one example, I have a brand new 4 gang 240v extension lead (used to power, projectors or Video's for training purposes) that has failed on 'Insulation Resistance' 0.37 MEG. Can you offer any comments / advice? Regards Giles