Just had my annual PAT testing session, 122 items checked and 5 failures, three power cords failed two with direct shorts, one with cable damage and two extention leads with faulty wiring. (Estimated replacement cost = £25.00)
I like to think I look after my equipment everything has a home and is returned to it after each event, nothing is ever just thrown in to a vehicle for "sorting out later".
Apart from the obvious danger to person and equipment, any one of these items could have cost me an event if we'd fused or tripped everything out.
The tester was telling me a story that a customer got a shock at a fairground, because the equipment at fault (a CD player) had not been PAT tested, the Public Liabilty Insurance providers withdrew their cover leaving the operators to pay the legal costs and damages, in all around £22,000
So, will I complain at my annual £165.00 bill for PAT Testing again, no way!
Just had my annual PAT testing session, 122 items checked and 5 failures, three power cords failed two with direct shorts, one with cable damage and two extention leads with faulty wiring. (Estimated replacement cost = £25.00)
A great story.
For the benefit of we Yanks, could you tell us a little bit more about "PAT testing".
Hi Ian, hows it goin mate, and Doug for the benefit of our U.S. colleagues. PAT testing stands for Portable Appliance Testing. It's become a real issue in the UK just about everywhere you go to work with any device that has a plug on it, needs a little sticker on the plug and cable to say that it has been tested for safety.
A qualified electrician, with the pat tester, a 'gadget'. Goes through the gear and basically issues you with a certificate at the end. The liability insurance crowd have latched onto it as well as a must have in case anything goes wrong.
It has got to the point where a lot of hotels etc where you might be working, ask to see the certificate. Musicians, DJ's and us etc etc.
Cheers
Muse
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White Balance so easy, even our 5 year old can do it.- Melissa Strickland
Hi Ian, hows it goin mate, and Doug for the benefit of our U.S. colleagues. PAT testing stands for Portable Appliance Testing. It's become a real issue in the UK just about everywhere you go to work with any device that has a plug on it, needs a little sticker on the plug and cable to say that it has been tested for safety.
Well, that's about what it sounded like, but thanks so much for the details.
Best regards,
Doug
White Balance so easy, even our 5 year old can do it.- Melissa Strickland
Good to hear from you again, thought you'd dropped off the map!
What have you been up to recently?
Thanks for putting the board right on the PAT testing.
Doug,
I do a few events every year on various City Council venues that insist on seeing every appliance has a current sticker (no pun intended!) applied. Its not a bad thing, it helps make sure all equipment is safe and is a relativley inexpensive way of doing so.
Usually a little guy in a flat cap jumps out and says "Where's your NIC certificate" (another electrical check on our vehicles) or other such demands so its best to be prepared. Plus I work on the basis if I don't kill too many of my customers then I keep the market potential high!
The really stupid thing is you can walk into any electrical wholesalers and buy the stickers off the shelf, a box of 250 will cost you about 5quid.
Lucily for me a friend has the "gadget" and is qualified to use it so he does the test in exchange for a beer or 3
Muse 
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