What’s involved
Depending on whether the appliance is of (type 1) or (type 2) usually means that each item requires up to 3 tests
- A visual Inspection (requiring disassembly of the plug and the feeling of the cable)
- An earth bonding test – done with a calibrated machine
- An insulation test – done with a calibrated machine
this takes time, requires a little safe working area (usually a small tea trolley or part of a bench) and it’s compulsory that the appliance is disconnected from the mains supply when about to be tested.
This can cause a disruption to your companies working practise but can also be elevated with a bit of forward planning.
We will need a senior member of staff immediately available to report to, in the event of any problems that may stop the testing procedure or any immediate dangers being spotted.
One thing we will ask is that all appliances are made easily accessible to our testers, for example if the plug for a monitor is not easily accessible because it is hidden behind a locker and a couple of desks, we would request that on the due date of testing, that the plug be removed from the socket and left by the side of the monitor, in extreme cases where plugs are not accessible we may not be able to carry out test on that item and have to report it as such. Other than this requirement most equipment can be left powered on right up until its their time for testing.