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Posted By waiks
In the past we've always recommended just formal visual checks of IT items every year. However after recent training and review of guidance, it seems to be the case that PC's should be tested every 2-4 years. I'm facing some resistance to change because of the time this will take to complete. I also know PC's are very low risk and there is concern that testing it will cause damage. We also tend to replace our PC's every 5 years too.
Any advice/opinions on testing PC's and other IT equipment using combined testing and inspection? What is everyone else doing?
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Posted By P.R
Hi
If the pat testing is carried out by a competent, knowledgeable person, then no damage will occur. PC's and other susceptible electronic equipment, needs to have the earth bond test carried out with a low current earth test.
Recommendations are that this type of equipment be tested every 48 months.
Peter
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Posted By waiks
Thanks Peter, that's what I thought. Staff have been trained to use the tester for the items they are testing. I've looked at the IEE Code of Practice for the suggested frequency of testing for our type of premises regarding IT and it's 12 months for class 1 and 48 months for class 2 equipment. So 2 years should be sufficient. I know other places who don't test their PC items at all so I can see why there might be resistance to it.
Damage to the equipment is very unlikely if done correctly. What about manual handling of big CRT monitors and projectors? ;-)
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Posted By Scott d
Hi Waiks,
Remember that this is risk assessment based and if your equipment is unlikely to be damaged i.e. cables are protected etc. then it may not be necessary to test them during the five years in which you have them in service.
We currently PAT test ours on a yearly basis - this is complete overkill and will soon change.
Scott
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Posted By Ken Taylor
I seem to recall guidance that only the mains supply cables should be tested in order to avoid damage to the PCs, etc. Is this now 'out-of-date'?
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Posted By P.R
Ken
There is absolutely no risk to the equipment, providing the person testing is competent and knows what tests to carry out on certain equipment.
For example, on electronic sensitive equipment, such as PCs, you would carry out the earth bond test at a lower current and would certainly not carry out a flash test.
PCs in an office environment should still have the PAT test, to verify the integrity of the earth etc.
Hope this gives some clarification.
Peter
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Posted By Ken Taylor
Thanks for your response, PR. I realise that it could be done without risk to the PC but the concern is as to whether the person that turns up from the contractor (having been given training in PAT testing but not a qualified electrical engineer) would simply deal with them in that way - along with the hundreds (or even thousands) of other items needing testing.
I believe that the current guidance is for actual testing of PCs and VDU screens at up to 5 yearly intervals unless they are double insulated (when it is unnecessary) but also seem to remember some (possibly earlier) guidance that formal visual inspection should suffice as far as satisfying the actual legislation. Whether this is still valid would be of interest.
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