Never heard of the test on caravans/tents as such! I do know that any caravan service does cover the electrics check. I would think that if the mains lead is stored in the caravan the service agent will check that also. Must admit I never gave a thought toe Tent leads being checked but maybe it is a good idea as long as it is not overcharged for.
I remember at one site were we had a meet last year one of the electric points was defective, it appears that a foreign company had reversed the polarity at the post so they could use their caravan. The site owner was oblivious to it until one of the UKCS members insisted on checking the van with a polarity checker.
Quote: Originally posted by Papa Pip on 21/01/2005
Must admit I never gave a thought toe Tent leads being checked but maybe it is a good idea as long as it is not overcharged for.
I dont think things like RCDs or MCBs, which are important for the safety of a EHU lead, are tested in a PAT test.
Quote: Originally posted by Papa Pip on 21/01/2005
Must admit I never gave a thought toe Tent leads being checked but maybe it is a good idea as long as it is not overcharged for.
I dont think things like RCDs or MCBs, which are important for the safety of a EHU lead, are tested in a PAT test.
Then whats the point in getting them tested another load of burocratic mumbo jumbo so some one can make more money off us eh
------------- Lifes all the better when you get old!!!!!!!
Just out of interest. How many of us actually check our leads?
I'll be the first to put my hands up and say i've never opened up the ends to check the terminals. Although I do check for mechanical damage to the cable everytime i plug it in.
Not very good really, being as i'm in the game.
So come on. Own up. Who else has never checked their lead. Or is it just me?
Haven't checked mine yet Tom. As it was new last year I was rather hoping that it might of good serviceable quality and would not need checking for quite a while. I do as you do though and check the cable everytime I use it - quite simply by looking at it and running it through my hand as I uncoil it, should see any defects or feel them that way.
It's a good point you've raised and I think I will check that all the wiring connections are secure before it's next used.
Quote: Originally posted by sutty's gang on 21/01/2005
Then whats the point in getting them tested another load of burocratic mumbo jumbo so some one can make more money off us eh
You tell me ?
I think that the PAT testing regime is actually counter productive.
A lot of stuff will fail a PAT test on visual inspection, the electronic tests they do will only pick up the faults you cant see.
If something fails its annual PAT test then on average the appliances will have been in use with a visual fault for 6 months.
So why dont the users notice that equipment or leads are faulty ?
Well if once a year someone comes in with a fancy gadgets, puts stickers on everything, and pronounces your electrical stuff 'safe' you will assume it is wont you ?
Rather that spend all this money on PAT testing, which it seems to me is for liability reasons (I am not liable because I check my stuff every year) why not spend the same amount of money on educating users that they should accept responsibility for a visual inspection every time they use something electrical ?
If I am killed because I plug the dodgy looking lead, complete with its 'I am Safe' PAT test sticker into a kettle, who is the looser ?
The risk of not PAT testing is to the user and I would consider that risk very low. The supply will be protected agains short circuit, the caravan will have some type of protection device. Equipment in the caravan is not PAT tested so why test the lead? I would bet that this site will hire you a PAT tested lead if you don't have one, that may be the reason he wants leads tested
Quote: Originally posted by Omega99 on 21/01/2005
Equipment in the caravan is not PAT tested so why test the lead?
As I suggested earlier, the lead between caravan or tent is accessible to others so from an insurance & liability point of view it makes sense that site owners take reasonable steps to ensure that bits of electrical stuff that people can touch are 'safe'.
If a child was playing near the EHU connection points, and because of a dodgy lead they received a fatal shock ........................
I can understand some of it, I agree that the way forward is to carry out regular visual inspections. Surely the fear is that if you get your kit PAT tested, it is ok for a 12month.....alot can happen in 12months!!!
The stupid thing is that you can buy the PAT test stickers from most electrical shops, so should you take all the certs aswell to proove that it has been done??
Turning it round can you ask the site to see their electrical test certificate for the mains they are supplying?
With all this talk I'm glad I don't rely on electric hook-up.
Its very cheap to get stuff PAT tested. And as someone already said takes no more than 30 seconds usually, You basically plug the applaince into a machine and press a button.
I hope it takes longer than 30 seconds or someone is not doing their job right. Not much longer...5 minutes maybe...but it is somewhat more than plugging in and pressing a button.
It is also a legal requirment for the site to have an annual inspection and a certificate to say it has been done. This includes a check on each and every RCD/MCB..not cheap
I can understand some of it, I agree that the way forward is to carry out regular visual inspections. Surely the fear is that if you get your kit PAT tested, it is ok for a 12month.....alot can happen in 12months!!!
The stupid thing is that you can buy the PAT test stickers from most electrical shops, so should you take all the certs aswell to proove that it has been done??
Turning it round can you ask the site to see their electrical test certificate for the mains they are supplying?
With all this talk I'm glad I don't rely on electric hook-up.
Mad or not this has made think. I use electrical leads and equipment when camping something not everyone agrees with. (Please I’m not trying to start another is it safe threads)
But having stored it though the winter it may not be the best thing to shoot off camping without getting it all checked out before plugging it into a campsite socket in damp conditions and seeing a bright light flash before my eyes.
Call me stupid but it’s worth £10 to get my neighbour who is an electrician to test all my leads, heater, kettle, and any other electrical items we normally use when camping.
Thinking about it how many of us check the hose on our camping cookers before going away?
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Topic: Pat test.
