PAT450 portable appliance tester
Test portable electrical equipment to ensure safe operation
Test portable electrical equipment to ensure safe operation
Key Benefits
- Store up to 10 000 results
- Selectable PASS/FAIL limits
- 200 mA, 10 A, and 25 A bond testing
- Interruption-free testing for improved efficiency with a large QWERTY keypad for fast data entry
Description
Easy to use, light to carry, and featuring a convenient internal database for results storage, the PAT450 portable appliance tester is optimised for use by service organisations and equipment rental companies. Key benefits of the instrument include rapid start-up, instant restart after temporary disconnection when moving between test locations, and optional barcode support to aid in rapid asset identification. These instruments offer both manual and automatic operation. When used in automatic mode, the test structure can readily be configured to suit specific requirements. This way, for example, a supervisor can predefine a test structure for a particular application and then be sure that all tests are performed exactly as required, irrespective of who carries out the testing work. The efficient handling of test results is another important characteristic of these innovative instruments. They have an integral multi-user database with ten times the capacity of a typical downloading PAT tester. They use a flat data structure that enhances traceability and makes it easy to set up assets and find their associated data. Results can also be stored in test groups, and there is no limit to the length of the group names. These can be made descriptive and easy to understand, which is an important aid to testing efficiency. Tests offered by the PAT450 include earth continuity (bond testing), 250 V and 500 V insulation tests, alternative leakage tests, VA, anti-surge leads and power cords, testing 120 V assets, bond testing carried out at 10 A and 25 A as well as at 200 mA, plus 1.5 kV and 3 kV flash test functions.
The PAT450 also has a large bright colour screen for clear test results and simple menu navigation. The menus have been simplified to make operation faster and more intuitive. Five soft keys give direct access to frequently used functions, making navigation through the menus even quicker and the tester even more productive, offering a greater return on investment. Megger’s standard issue of these instruments includes a calibration certificate, printed quick start guide, complete user guide on CD, continuity/earth bond lead and probe, and a 13 A extension lead adapter, all presented in a convenient carrying case with an integral lead/document pouch.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is portable appliance testing?
Portable appliance testing is the visual examination and electrical testing of portable electrical equipment used in industrial, commercial, or public access areas and locations (including rented property) to ensure they are safe to use and cannot present an electrical hazard to the operator or anyone in their vicinity.
I do a lot of PAT testing, and I’ve heard barcodes help cut testing time. How does that work? Also, can you give me any advice about defaced test labels? I have one customer whose employees scribble on them!
Barcodes can indeed save you much time on repeat testing of assets. You will, of course, need a PAT tester like the PAT450, which offers barcode support. You’ll also need to buy a barcode scanner and a label printer, but these aren’t expensive items, and if you do a lot of PAT testing, they’ll quickly pay for themselves. When you have the kit together, you can print pass/fail labels, including a barcode that identifies the asset and the type of tests carried out. Then, when you next need to test that asset, you simply scan the barcode, and this information is instantly loaded into the PAT tester. That’s a lot faster and easier than entering the information manually. And, as it happens, this setup could also solve your second problem. The label printers used with the latest Megger PAT testers print on self-laminating tape, meaning it’s virtually impossible to scribble on them or otherwise deface the labels they produce.
I’ve got a PAT tester, but I’ve just landed a big contract that involves testing thousands of assets, so I think I need to upgrade. What should I look for?
You’ll need a tester that helps you make the best use of your time. Rapid start-up is important, as is instant restart after temporary disconnection when moving between locations. Barcode support can also be helpful, as it provides a quick way of identifying assets. Depending on how you work and the type of assets you’ll be testing, an option for automatic testing with a user-defined test structure can be another huge time saver. For testing large numbers of assets, you’ll also need a tester that can store many results in its internal memory, like the PAT450, which can hold up to 10 000 results. There should also be facilities for organising the stored results so that you can find them easily. A QWERTY keyboard is essential for fast data entry. Finally, make sure the tester has all the features you need.
How often should visual examination and electrical testing be undertaken?
The frequency of the visual examinations and electrical tests is established by risk assessment and experience.No strict test schedules exist. However, a simple risk assessment will identify the suitability of an asset for the application and environment in which it is being used and whether a change to the suggested retest frequency or even removal of the equipment altogether is appropriate. Criteria that may influence the decision include: Location of the equipment Equipment type and class of construction Frequency of use Competence of user The installation method Previous records Whether the equipment is on hire You should regularly review the frequency of visual examinations and electrical tests. You must pay particular attention to initial inspections and electrical tests to determine whether the frequency or equipment type needs to be changed.
What checks, examinations, and testing should be undertaken?
Visual examination is vital and always precedes electrical testing. It often reveals major defects that testing alone would not show. Effective hierarchical progression of in-service visual examination and/or electrical testing categories include: Operator checks (no records if the equipment is OK). Formal visual inspection (recorded). Combined visual examination and electrical testing (recorded)
Who has the responsibility to ensure that equipment continues to be safe?
Various people have responsibilities for electrical equipment, these being: Property owners, equipment owners, company owners, directors, and line managers The person undertaking the formal visual examination and electrical testing Maintenance managers Operators of the equipment – to monitor the equipment they use and ensure it has no obvious faults or damage
