Martindale Electric EPAT1600 Installation and operating instructions

Guide to Pat Testing using the Martindale
EPAT1600/2100 series PAT Testers
• Connect the PAT tester to a source of power and
ensure the wander lead is plugged in.
1. Visual Inspection
Examine the condition of the appliance to be tested
as per best practice recommendations.
2. Earth Bond test – this is required for Class 1
(earthed) appliances only.
Select the test current according to the appliance
plug/fuse rating eg.
• A lamp fitting with a 3/5 amp fuse would use the 8
amp setting.
• A kettle with a 13 amp fuse would use the 25 amp
setting.
• IT equipment should be tested using the 100mA
range.
Plug the appliance into the PAT tester, attach the
wander lead to any exposed conductive surface or
metalwork and switch on the appliance.
Press and hold the CONTINUITY button (for a
maximum of 5 seconds)
The display should indicate a very low resistance
value in ohms (such as 0.05 for example) confirming
that a good solid earth return path exists from the
earthpin on the appliance back to the tester via the
wander lead. The PASS value required being 0.1
Ohms or less. If the display reads “1” in the left-hand
column then this is an indication that the reading is
above the maximum resistance measurable by the
tester, i.e. the resistance is very high, and is thus a
FAIL.
If the reading exceeds the pass value of 0.1 Ohms by
a small amount it is acceptable to take into account
the internal resistance of the supply cable itself which
can be deducted from the displayed value as per
published guidelines (the IEE code of practice for
portable appliance testing ref – IEEPATS3)
3. Insulation test
This test is carried out on both Class 1 (earthed)
and Class 2 (double insulated) appliances.
The wander lead needs to be plugged into the tester
at all times although electrically it is only required for
class 2 devices. When testing Class 1 appliances
therefore it is recommended that the exposed metal
crocodile clip is parked safely inside the tester lid for
the duration of the test.
Class 1 – Switch the appliance on & plug it into the
tester. Press and hold the INSULATION button until a
steady reading is obtained. Observe the reading
displayed - the pass value required being >1MΩ.
Class 2 - Plug the appliance into the PAT tester,
ensuring that it is switched on. Attach the wander
lead to any exposed conductive surface. Press and
hold the INSULATION button until a steady reading is
obtained. Observe the reading, a pass value of 2MΩ
or GREATER is required.
The maximum reading on the EPAT1600/2100 for this
test is 19.99 MΩ, any reading higher than this will be
displayed as a “1” indicating an over-range value and
therefore also a very good Pass.
EPAT1600/EPAT2100
Pat Testers
Application note no 25
Martindale Electric Company Ltd.
Metrohm House, Imperial Trading Estate, Imperial Way, Watford, WD24 4PP. T: 01923 441717 F: 01923 446900
www.martindale-electric.co.uk [email protected] © 2011 rev2

4. Run Current (Functional Test)/Fuse Test
On the EPAT2100 this test will power up the
appliance to check functionality and also give an
indication of the current being consumed. On the
1600 a “1” in the display indicates that the fuse is
intact, a value of “0” indicates a blown fuse.
Press and hold the RUN CURRENT (2100) or FUSE
(1600) button.
5. Run Leakage (EPAT 2100 only)
The wander lead is required.
Press and hold the RUN LEAKAGE button
Ideally this should register as 0mA - any higher
reading gives an indication of current leakage to
earth which can be useful for tracking down
appliances that are causing nuisance tripping of
RCDs. Pass limits vary from 0.25mA to 3.5mA
depending on the type of appliance.
6. Flash Testing
Flash testing is not recommended for routine testing
of appliances but may be appropriate after repairs
have been carried out.
7. Labelling & Record Keeping.
Once equipment has been tested it should be
labelled with a suitable PASS/FAIL test sticker.
This label should indicate.
1. Appliance identification number.
2. Test Date.
3. Date of next test due.
4. Initials of tester.
It is recommended that a portable appliance register
be maintained which records the test results obtained
and the required inspection schedule.
IEC power leads, extension leads and adaptors
To test an IEC power lead (computer power lead etc)
plug into the appropriate easypat mains socket and
the LEAD TEST socket.
Perform the Continuity and Insulation tests – if it
passes OK then proceed as follows
EPAT2100 - If the lead passes Continuity and
Insulation tests then perform a RUN CURRENT test.
Check the lamp indication against the table on the
front panel. The Run Leakage test would not
normally be carried out on extension leads etc,
however if the button is pressed then the display will
indicate a value of approx 1.3mA while under test -
this is not indicating a fault in the lead but is simply a
product of the test current drawn.
EPAT1600 – If the lead passes Continuity and
Insulation tests unplug from the EasyPat mains
socket and connect to a live mains socket leaving the
IEC connector plugged into the lead tester. Check the
lamp indication against the table on the front panel.
Extension leads should be tested in the same way as
an IEC lead - using the adapters where necessary.
Note on 110v/240v operation.
Both machines can test 110V appliances for
continuity/earth bond however the 1600 itself can only
be powered by 240V- this is not an issue since there
is no Run Test facility on this machine. The 2100 can
be powered by either 110v or 240V (note that it does
not convert between the two) and only the correct
socket is powered up during the Run Test. It makes
sense therefore to power the 2100 with the same
supply voltage as is required by the appliances being
tested.
EPAT1600/EPAT2100
Pat Testers
Application note no 25
Martindale Electric Company Ltd.
T: 01923 441717 F:01923 446900
www.martindale-electric.co.uk [e-mail] © 2011 rev2