PAT Testing
I've just put my 2 year old Lunar in for it's annual service to maintain the warranty and the guy at the dealers started telling me about a lot of sites are now asking for PAT testing certificates for caravans. Apparently sites are fed up with peoples electrics
keep tripping the sites power supplies and for only £299 the dealer will carry out a full PAT test on all of the electrics in my van. Lol.
Has anybody else heard of this?
Comments
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Definitely not on CC sites. Sounds very odd. Is this a new ploy to get more dosh out of us? My van is serviced every year and everything is checked at that time so why should I have a separate test?
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I have my own Pat Tester and regularly test my electrical equipment, both in the home and the van.
I would suggest though, that continual tripping of the bollard or worse on CC sites would be more likely due to vanners drawing more current than the bollard is capable of distributing.
Full electric heating - kettle - hairdryer - 3 KW heater in the awning - battery charging - all at the same time is a definite no no.
Just because the electric is included in the price doesnt mean that people should abuse it.
K
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I would suggest though, that continual tripping of the bollard or worse on CC sites would be more likely due to vanners drawing more current than the bollard is capable of distributing.
I would suggest that on 16 amo sites there is very little tripping.
On 10 amp sites not everybody is told on arrival; that it is a 10amp site
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PAT testing is only for Portable devices (Portable Appliance Testing) and is not compulsary.
However only companies/organisations with a public liability are obliged to have the test....normally every year....there is no stated legal time span! It is purely for insurance purposes.
It does not cover items/systems that are installed...ie wall sockets/light fittings/switches etc.
I repeat it is only for 'portable' items and the cost is normally about £1.20 per item.....how many kettles does the average caravan have?
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Well said, Husky. PAT - Portable Appliance Testing was designed for the likes of a carpenter going from site to site with power tools. It is not applicable to caravans.
There was great debate a few years ago with regard to an annual electrical test for caravans (not PAT, though) but it was deemed not necessary and the only requirement is that the caravan, or MH, was built to comply with the regulations in force at the time. The NCC were thought to have suggested annual testing but they are no more than a trade association for dealers/repairers/manufacturers. They do not make rules or laws and primarily look after their own members.
Sites do not ask for certificates of compliance and EHU bollards are designed to trip out if something is wrong. It sounds to me as if this dealer is trying it on big time.
Edit: Cross posted with you, EJB.
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Portable Appliance testing, as formailsed by many companies into PAT testing (which is almost as annoying as PIN number as a phrase...!), are NOT a legal requirement- what is required is that appliance are "inspected in a timely fashion" which could be every
week for some devices, and once every five years for others... although insurance companies can (and do) make their own requirements, the legal ones are quite simple- and the HSE really gets annoyed with "PAT Testing" beoing touted incorrectly and as a full
legal requirement. Common sense should dictate how often a check is made on a caravan/motorhome system; many service engineers will inspect the earth bonding system at key points, and the condition of sockets (at least visually) and hook-up cables. Good general
maintenance by the owners should help...!0 -
As already said PAT testing is not required other than when you as the owner of an electrical appliance allow other persons to use mainly work places and rented homes, if portable electrical appliance has been left for your use.
in my view the most essential test on any van is to ensure there is a good clear earth and should something bad happen at least the power is cut. But it's always advisable to find out why it cut before you turn back on.
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Let me see, all that is required in my van is: 240v electric razor and toothbrush charger. Everything else electric is 12v, so I don't think I'll bother
But as said by many before me, its portable appliances and not the electrical distribution in the van, plus its not required.
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I thought PAT testing was what you did after shopping at ASDA.
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Someone trying to make a fast buck. Utter rubbish.
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Money making
and if sites supplies are tripped by a faulty van I'd suggest they are not upto the required standards which require design and installation to avoid nuisance tripping - I.e the overloaded site outlet (or bollard) should trip - not the whole site!
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i would imagine the main site one will either be a higher leakage current or time delayed (or both) to provide suitable discrimination.
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I think that the OP is talking about the electrical test certificate. There is certainly one stuck inside the cupboard on our Bailey and there was also one in our old Abbey. Both clearly stated when the van was tested after construction, and that it should
be repeated every 3 years. As far as I know there is no legal requirement. However, it is included in the service plan we have for our Unicorn.0 -
In the past I have had experience with "showmans" wagons and although PAT and electrical testing isn't a legal requirement, a lot ot council land and commercial premises require current certification before they will allow them to set up. And they are within
in their rights to demand this and refuse entry, if this is their policy.As said earlier, it might be part of their health and safety policy or a stipulation of their insurance company
You either accept this or go elsewhere, your choice.
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