PAT Testing
Electrical Tests
Electrical testing of portable equipment will involve the following:
- (i) Earth bond continuity tests
- (ii) Insulation resistance testing
- (iii) Functional checks
(a) Earth Bond test (Class 1 equipment only)
Readings should show less than 0.1+R Ohms (where R is the resistance of the lead) Tested at a current of 1.5 times the rating of the fuse and no greater than 25A for a period of between 5 and 20 seconds or with a short-cicuit test current within the range 20Ma to 200Ma.
(b) Insulation resistance test:
The applied test voltage should be approximately 500 Vdc
- Class 1 heating equipment < 3kW 0.3M Ohms
- Class 1 All other equipment 1M Ohms
- Class 2 Equipment 2M Ohms
- Class 3 Equipment 250k Ohms
(c) Optional tests:
Flash test: No flashover or breakdown shall occur.
Operation/Load test: compare reading with stated details on nameplate.
Earth leakage test:
- Class 1 Handheld appliances 0.75mA
- Other Class 1 appliances 3.5mA
- Class 2 appliances 0.25mA