Posted By KathrynB
We have just requested our Xmas tree lights to be PAT Tested and have been advised by our colleagues who carry out testing that these do not require to be tested. We are adament that they do?

Anyone in a similar position?

Posted By Julian Wilkinson
anything that has a plug on then end and uses your building electricity should be tested.

Just a thought for you.....One of the biggest causes of fires this time of year is the xmas tree lights!

Posted By Julian Wilkinson
Hi Ron

for the simple fact that they only cost a couple of quid, made in an oriental country and yet expected to work for around 10 hours per day for 3 weeks. Does this not make it more important for them to be tested?

I certainly would if i was using them in my building, plus the fact i would buy good quality lights that would be used year after year, (tested each time of course)

Posted By Julian Wilkinson
The IEE Code of Practice recognises four test situations.



testing will involve the following:

(a) Preliminary inspection
(b) Earth continuity tests
(c) Insulation testing (Which may sometimes be substituted by earth leakage measurement)
(d) Functional checks.

Electrical testing should be performed by a person who is competent in the safe use of the test equipment and who knows how to interpret the test results obtained. This person must be capable of inspecting the equipment and, where necessary, dismantling it to check the cable connections

Posted By NCL
Julian,

I think you'll find that generally double insulated equipment does not require PAT (therefore the statement that if it has a plug it needs testing is not correct).

In fact most office equipment will require just a visual inspection at most.

PAT is not a legal requirement and it's amazing how much money electricians are making testing all electrical equipment every year when it's not really required.

And before anyone shouts at e I'm not saying don't PAT, I'm just saying PAT wisely.

Check out HSG107.

Posted By Ashley Wood
For you folks that may be interested, on my web site I have a 'Festive message' about fire safety. There is a link to a government web site called the '12 days of Christmas'. You can down load and print it off. I put this on the site because I was concerned at the amount of decorations and lights that I was coming across when I was assessing sheltered housing schemes and residential homes. I am not a kill joy about Christmas I just want people to be aware of the dangers. www.thermatech.uk.com

Posted By Julian Wilkinson
Ok I'll hold my hands up, maybe my assumption to PAT test as per the IEE guidance is a little over the top. However the point i was trying to make was that I would still have them checked by any electrician in anycase.

Never assume as it only makes an ass (out of) u 'n' me :-))

Posted By Son of SkyWalker
I agree that a PAT test should be performed by a competent person. OK maybe PAT tesrting may not strictly apply BUT I have been reading the horror stories from trading standards of christmas tree lights that are not safe due to several issues. Buying expensive lights did not necessarily make a difference as the problems were found across a range of prices.

It is interesting that many of these are made in China and there have been a lot of recalls from products made in China. China is trying to put in place systems to try to stop poor quality and potentially dangerous goods from being made/exported. Until they (and other producers of poor quality and potentially dangerous goods) have good quality systems in place I would rather recommend what may be an over the top request for PAT testing by a competent person. This may provide some level of confidence that there is a greatly reduced risk of shocks, electrocutions or fires.

There are also two other alternatives:
a) use battery opeerated lights
b) don't use lights at all (but be prepared to be called Health and Safety Scrooges)

I would also put a world wide ban on musical christams tree lights and musical christmas trees!

Ba Humbug!

Posted By Ian Gardner
It never fails to amaze me, how much of a misunderstood & misapplied term 'PAT Testing' is. The fact that most of the people who have replied to this thread seem to think that a visual inspection and 'PAT testing' are two different things is worrying.
Obviously, if the set of lights were marked as Class II, a Class I Earth Bond test would not be applied. Obviously, if a Class II appliance has NO accessible conductive surfaces, an Insulation Resistance test or a Touch Leakage test are pointless.
So, as a previous poster (Garry) states, you are left with the options of a visual inspection (full check of the plug, fuse, wiring, and check for CE, BS, Class II construction mark, 'safe for use near flammable substances' mark (an 'F' in a triangle)) and a functional check. If no electrical tests, as I mention above, are appropriate for the appliance, then they shouldn't be done. A visual inspection, and a functional check: there's your 'PAT test'!

So, in response to the original poster, yes, your Xmas tree lights would require to be 'PAT tested', hopefully by someone competent enough to understand what inspections and tests should be applied to any particular item of electrical equipment.

Posted By Pete Longworth
Come on NCL an ostentatious display of knowledge is what this forum's all about. Some people like coloured lights, others enjoy other things. It is Christmas after all.

Posted By water67.
If your concerened pop an RCD in the system for additional protection.

Should be enough.

Cheers, merry xmas ya alllllllllll.

Posted By Ian Gardner
Frustration driven all the way!!

I appreciate that this is a public forum, but the reinforcement of misunderstandings on a website that has the IOSH logo gazing down on it can only further muddy the waters, IMHO.

No offence or patronising tone intended, but many things are in the eye of the beholder!