7 Feb
2003
7 Feb
'03
9:55 a.m.
On Feb 6, 22:33, Tony Duell wrote:
I've never met a PAT tester that tests the current-carrying conductors at
a significant current, mainly because there's no easy way to do this
without dismantling the unit under test (if the cable is fixed) -- the
maximum current you could pass would be the normal operating current of
the unit (by simply applying mains to it), which is not enough. Even then
you couldn't measure the voltage drop across one of the conductors.
You may have guessed that I don't trust PAT testers, and I have no faith
at all in the safety standards as usually applied. Proper safety tests on
the other hand...
I don't see how you can do a proper test
without a visual inspection
of
the connections... And I've yet to see a
moulded connector that
provides
a proper strain-relief for the cable.
A good PAT tester will check at a sensible current (though admittedly a
lot only check earth continuity at a proper current). As for strain releif, well you're not supposed to swing the
equipment by the power
cable, Tony!
True, but equally I don't expect the outer covering of the cable to pull
out of the moulded connector in normal use exposing the single-insulated
wires inside. Which has happened to many moulded cables round here.
I assume you'd fail a rewirable plug with the cord grip missing/not used
on an electrical safety test. I certainly would. But most moulded cables
are not a lot better than that.
The cable
mounted section looks like a normal 'cold condition'
_socket_,
but there are 3 round pins sticking out of the
face of it (where the
socket holes would be). The chassis part looks like the normal plug
(recessed into the panel, etc) with 3 holes in it in place of the
normal
plug pins.
I've a feeling I've seen this used somewhere -- but not recently, and I
can't think where :-(