Any testers/experts on here?

What's the general consensus/guidelines/legislation - does equipment need testing annually, or is it every 3 years? What needs testing, in an office environment? My thoughts revolve round the 'P' of PAT, i.e. portable...

At the office they're looking to do desktop computers, monitors, servers, rack-mounted phone and network equipment...

Thoughts welcome, preferably backed up with cold hard evidence

Cheers,

Steve

I wouldn't count rack equipment (servers, PBX, switces etc) as portable and do not allow a PAT tester anywhere near it.

When we had our office done, they tested all the usual stuff as you say, but also carried out a visual inspection of all the equipment in the server room from an electrical safety point of view, they were not PAT tested as such.

Testing is every 3 years IIRC.

Dont forget to get the Xmas lights and so on tested as well.

Thanks guys. My original gut feeling was three years and also the exclusion of rack/server equipment, but it seems we get landed with an annual test. Any pointers on official guidance, that I can back this up with?

Steve

Three years is the maximum I believe, there is nothing to stop you having annual tests apart from the extra cost of course.

Yep, thanks. That's exactly my point here - if we don't have to, why have the equipment tested every year...

Steve

This site seems interesting.

UK PAT Testing and Portable Appliance Testing information directory

I think our portable gear we use out on site gets tested every 6 months! Along with all the office computers and periphials.

Our place PAT tests anything that has a plug on it, including some servers.

and I think it's all a bit of a con...or money for old rope

I can see the merit, for some of the equipment we have, but the costs soon mount up pretty quickly...

Steve

The 'P' portable is referring to the tester not the appliance. It's a portable appliance tester not testing of portable appliances. Hope that makes sense.

we test everything with a 3 point plug - execpt the server which the tester only get to do a visual on.

The 'P' portable is referring to the tester not the appliance. It's a portable appliance tester not testing of portable appliances. Hope that makes sense.

Ah right, I see! Didn't know that

Steve

Back in the theatre we tested every year, and everything with a plug on it.

Word of advice - make sure you test everything still works afterwards - ideally before the tester leaves.

I've swapped out a fair amount of IT kit that had been tested and never worked afterwards - typically routers with ISDN or ADSL lines.

Oh yeah, everything is checked post-test too. They end up being with us for at least 3 days. That's why I've identified it as a possible cost saving! It gets organised by the H&S lot.

Steve

Makes me glad I only had a few things to do (about 25 all together I think) and only took an hour or so. Couldn't be bothered with plugs and wires everywhere for 3 days!

I too thought the portable reffered to the equipment and not the one testsing the equipment! lol

Phil

Steve,

Given we work for the same copany I thought I'd let you know what we do over here...

Basically we PAT test every year (or thereabouts) and everything with a three pin plug on it. However, this year we have done it in-house, having had our maintenance guy trained up and having bought the relevant testing kit. He's on with it now but I don't see why we his services couldn't be used by other offices.

Thanks Mark. Our maintenance guy was talking through the same thing when it was underway last year.

I'll drop you an email.

Cheers,

Steve

At our place it varies; stuff like kettles, toasters and electric drills get done every year, but desktop computer kit only gets done every 3 years.

Three years is the maximum I believe, there is nothing to stop you having annual tests apart from the extra cost of course.

My desktop PC, monitor and desk fan have 5 year testing intervals, stickered up with dates by our FM people.

The 'P' portable is referring to the tester not the appliance. It's a portable appliance tester not testing of portable appliances. Hope that makes sense.

Sorry but it is a test of portable appliances,ie with a plug fitted that can be moved around. Fixed appliances that a wired permanently in to a fused spur unit do not require be tested.

Also some stuff shouldnt be tested for the earth bond if highly sensitive to static or spikes (up earthing).

The definition was due to include anything with a plug/removeable power lead as well. So Servers will need doing. Firm I used to work for did theirs at the weekend with all IT staff in just in case.

Our place interprets that as meaning that you do a full test on the "kettle lead" but just a visual on the system box it feeds.