Posted By Ian Mitchell
Afternoon

I have done a search for this subject and found some useful threads. However, they are all locked so I need to start a new one...

I am of the opinion that PA testing is not required for portable generators as they produce electricity rather than consume it.

One of our clients has asked us if we PA test them. I want to say 'no, we don't...but'

They are PUWER as I see it. However, they still need some sort of electrical safety testing. The suppliers provide them with test certs, and maintain them.

However, I want to know what BS or other standard is applicable to the electrical safety testing of such pieces of kit so I can state what they are tested to to the client.

Thoughts anybody?

Thanks....

Posted By Phil Rose
Could I be 'provocative' and suggest that nothing REQUIRES PA testing. There is a requirement under EAWR to ensure that 'kit' is maintained in a safe condition, as well as the duties under PUWER. I think that the 'producing/consuming' argument is entirely spurious. There is a potential electrical safety risk, therefore EAW applies and you might want to reconsider your approach/thoughts.

Posted By Ian Mitchell
Phil

Don't misunderstand me, it is not about not testing, it is about correct testing. A PA test may even damage a generator. What needs to be tested and what is the recognised standard?

Regards

Posted By Dec39
Sorry, I meant how can you PA test a portable generator?

Posted By Crim
A portable electrical appliance is one that can be plugged in to a supply and is portable enough to be moved about.

A generator does not plug in therefore it is not a portable electrical appliance.

I recent ticking off by HSE inspector to an ex client of mine mentioned PAT as a requirement. It may not have it's own regulations but try arguing with the Inspector.

Posted By Phil Rose
Perhaps of interest to Ian - from the Hampshire Fire Brigade Equipment Data Sheet on a Honda Generator http://www.hantsfire.gov...tdatasheets.htm?id=12589

Schedule G "..the generator is subject to an annual electrical test by Workshops." and at the very bottom "The generators and associated equipment will be given a Portable Appliance Test (PAT) by Service Workshops"

Posted By Phil Rose
That would be assuming that the only way to test electrical equipment is with a PA test kit; which of course it isn't!

Posted By Phil Rose
Not always light hearted I am afraid, often frustrated though!

I confess to be slightly bemused by this thread. I am trying to 'challenge' traditional thinking on this in order to arrive at a sensible and logical conclusion.

Bearing in mind the 'definition' in 107 to which I have already referred above, we are presented with two examples of portable electrical appliances; power tools and a microwave oven (which I won't argue about). But just stop and think for a minute about how dissimilar those two items actually are. And then think about a power tool and a portable generator. Are they any less similar (other than the 'consumer/generator' argument) than a power tool and a microwave? I might even argue that they are more similar!

Is a portable electrical generator portable? YES (by definition!) Is it electrical equipment? Well YES I think so, cos 'wiggly amps' fall out of the end of the piece of wire! But for some reason, including the fact that it may not conveniently fit on the end of a standard PA test kit (whatever happened to AVO's and meggers?) we can't allow ourselves to call, consider or treat this to be a portable electrical appliance!

I find this an odd position to adopt. It is portable. The risks of failing to maintain the electrical side of the generator must be similar to those of what we would traditionally call PEAs but for some reason we can't consider this a PEA or maintain, including testing it accordingly!