Insulation Test - PAT Testing information and guidance for PAT Testing Expert

[@thelocalguys4721]

Best explanation I have ever heard on this! Great job!

[@geneva760]

Thank you for a well detailed and 'simple' explanation of the principles involved. CHEERS from AUSTRALIA.

[@PattestingexpertUK]

Glad it was helpful!

[@michaelhenry4405]

possibly the best explanation I have heard. Thanks brilliant video.

[@PattestingexpertUK]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for the comments

[@y.emrekeles3345]

People should pay for this video. Because it's invaluable explanation.

[@PattestingexpertUK]

Yunus Emre Keleş thanks! Happy to give the information out because a lot of people still getting it wrong! And of course you can always pay to attend one of our successful training courses and get a whole day’s worth of valuable tips and insights from the master! Thanks for the feedback

[@paulmorrey4298]

Brilliant - its a much misunderstood concept looking on the PAT forums Thanks for sharing

[@deanhenry14]

Great video explaining an often misunderstood test procedure.

[@hainman1]

I do testing in landlord propertys,hoovers are the biggest thing i get at Class 2 but can seem to find much in way of metal parts,Being shown incorrectly didn't help as i was told class 2 didn't require the probe attached

[@PattestingexpertUK]

Hi, you do need to attach the probe to something metal, as described in the video. However, if there genuinely are no metal parts, then there's no meaningful test you can carry out, so a visual inspection is all that is required in this case!

[@sonnyjim7579]

If I did a class 2 test on a class 1 appliance would the seaward still use the earth pin of the plug automatically to detect resistance? For example a class 1 espresso machine with no exposed metal parts

[@derrickdd1188]

Yes.

[@unalex6123]

You should be a University teacher, your explaining skills are spot on!!

[@timjames6173]

Thank you! There are lots of misconceptions about this issue and it's not always explained properly in courses. I want to try and clear up the misunderstanding!

[@sbmorris2k6]

Can all appliances be tested at 500v on the ir test or do certain appliances need to be 250v?

[@unalex6123]

Amazing!! Clear as the blue sky. Thanks

[@SpikesMavic]

Lamp shade has a coating on it, how will you get a proper reading !.

[@PattestingexpertUK]

This is a good question, and one which I get asked a lot. When we carry out an earth continuity test (on a Class 1 appliance), we're looking for a very LOW reading; probably less than 0.1 ohms. Therefore it's essential that we get a good connection onto the metal work, otherwsie the test will fail. However, on the insulation test (which this video is about) we're looking for a very high reading, probably in the millions of ohms. The machines typically will measure up to 20 or even 100 million ohms (MΩ.) So, if there is a couple of ohms resistance in the paint coating on the lamp, this won't make any noticable difference to the reading that we get. So in this case, it's fine to put the clip on the metal case, even though it's painted. Hope this helps!

[@somethinguptv3338]

Seaward Primetest 350 Pat Tester or Martindale EasyPAT2100 PAT Tester for a novice would you get more experience using sewaard of easypat

[@stevensteel8617]

Nice and clear thank you. I wonder if anybody will take out the bulb and connect the clip to the bayonette connector lol. So then there is no point in testing a class II device with no exposed metal parts. When I test drill battery chargers and the like I test to the metal pins and with adaptors I guess you can test to the connector too.

[@mistahonda7465]

What can you do for a class 2 appliance that has no exposed metal parts?

[@timjames6173]

Hi there, that’s quite simple. If you have a piece of equipment which is completely encased in plastic then it only requires a visual inspection. You could carry out a function test maybe to see it it’s working properly, but you can’t carry out earth or insulation unless there is a metal part to connect the clip onto.

[@mistahonda7465]

@@timjames6173 Excellent thank you

[@tucker35Ire]

Good stuff. Just from your videos I get the answers to my questions. Did you ever do a video on touch current and why its needed.

[@ViszlaBoss]

Can this be done using a device without a fixed cable. I.E. a piece of IT equipment with a kettle lead? So plug the kettle lead into PAT tester. Connect crocodile clip to exposed metal and test this way? Thanks

[@PattestingexpertUK]

Stug_1978 Hello, this video is just about the insulation test, which is a part of a bigger PAT Testing process. If you have a piece of equipment which connects via a detachable lead (iec or ‘kettle’ lead) then of course you can test that exactly the same way as a piece of equipment with a fixed mains lead. Once you’ve tested the two items together (device and lead) there may be a benefit to testing the lead separately as well (most testers allow you to connect both ends to the tester so you can check polarity as well as the other tests)

[@ViszlaBoss]

Brilliant. Thank you for your help. Will definitely be testing both the device/lead and lead separately. Thanks again.

[@-JaM-836]

Can somebody give me a simple answer of the differences between a class 1 & class 2 appliances please

[@PattestingexpertUK]

Hi there, it’s not that easy to give a simple answer as there’s quite a lot to it. The most basic answer is that a Class 1 Appliance has an earth and a Class 2 does not. But there’s a bit more to it than that- come on a course and find out more!

[@fieldsy681]

cant go wrong if you follow this advice thanks

[@trimley]

Thanks

[@talmanyurkovich4486]

Not sure I agree with this method but depends how the machine works. You could be introducing a voltage onto the metal lamp shade and as it is class 2 this will not be earthed to the plug so the only way for this voltage to dissipate is by someone touching it. Also you should probably remove the lamp or your 500v will blow it up.

[@derrickdd1188]

As he mentioned, the Live and Neutral are shorted together(done inside the PAT) during the test and there will be no current flowing in the lamp filament so its safe. A DC Voltage (500V or 250V) is injected to L/N(shorted together) and PE(current return path) to test the insulation of the wires. If current flows from L/N to PE(or the RED probe), it means there is a breakdown in insultation of wires(interpreted as Resistance reading in PAT). Of course it not advisable to touch the lamp during the test. Voltage will disappear as soon as the test is done.

[@PattestingexpertUK]

Thanks Derrick - absolutely correct.

[@antbrentnall154]

Very good demo - ps did You know you sound like Alan Partridge? A-ha!

[@PattestingexpertUK]

No, I think you’ll find that Alan Patridge sounds like me….