PAT Testing News Round-Up - Issue 35

• Apollo 600 more than just a PAT tester
• iPhone adapter warning
• Free updated PAT guide available
• House fires prompt electrical equipment warning
• HAE 13A plug inspection guide

Apollo 600 more than just a PAT tester

We have created a series of videos to demonstrate just how useful the onboard digital camera incorporated in the Apollo 600 can be.

The series of short videos highlight ten different situations where a PAT tester with a camera can make a real difference to working more efficiently and can provide an added value electrical appliance safety testing service.

Included among the videos are the role of the camera in identifying appliances with links to asset IDs, the importance of showing evidence of visual inspections and of repairs, and how the camera can help to record any reasons why testing might not have been possible.

Short, informative films on these matters are already available here, and more will be released very soon.

iPhone adapter warning

In another example of the potential electrical safety risks that can be associated with phone chargers, Apple has recalled adapter plugs sold with older iPhones amid concerns they might overheat.

Although the UK is thought to be unaffected by the recall notice, "In rare cases," Apple warns, the 5W European USB power adapter "may overheat and pose a safety risk."

The adapter for European two-prong power sockets comes with the iPhone, and is also sold as a separate accessory. According to Apple, the only plugs with a problem are those that were sold with the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S between October 2009 and September 2012.

A redesigned version comes with more recent phones. If you have one of the older, potentially defective adapters, Apple will swap it for one of the redesigned versions.

To check your plug, look between the twin prongs: the affected adapter has the model number A1300 with the letters CE written in solid grey letters. Most of Europe and the Nordic countries are included in the recall. Affected countries outside of Europe include Egypt, South Africa and Vietnam.

Details at www.apple.com.

Free updated PAT guide available

We’ve updated our popular free guide to portable appliance testing. The latest version of the guide has been fully updated in line with the HSE guide to ‘Maintaining portable electrical equipment’ (HSG107, 3rd edition, HSE, 2013) and the IET Code of Practice for In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment. It has been designed to provide a handy practical guide to all aspects of PAT testing.

The informative, full colour, 40 page booklet provides essential reading for all those with a responsibility for ensuring the safe operation of electrical equipment in the workplace, as well as those involved in conducting tests or providing PAT services.

The updated version of the guide takes into account fundamental changes to the latest IET advice on PAT testing, including a new section on determining inspection and test intervals using risk assessment procedures advised by the IET and the Health and Safety Executive.

Copies can be downloaded free at www.seaward.co.uk/pat-guide.

House fires prompt electrical equipment warning

Fire and Rescue services have again urged residents to check electrical equipment and their smoke alarms after damaging fires caused by electrical faults.

Dorset firefighters reported call outs to two properties, both of which caused thousands of pounds worth of damage.

In one the fire and rescue service was called to a blaze in a first floor flat after an electrical fault in an airing cupboard sparked the fire. The flat suffered ‘severe’ damage from the fire, heat and smoke, and smoke damage was also caused to the communal hallways, with water damage caused to the ground floor laundry and a garage.

The fire service was also called to a blaze at another property after a faulty washing machine caught fire. Severe damage was caused to the kitchen by the fire and there was smoke damage to the rest of the house.

Weymouth Fire Station asked everyone to make sure that their electrical equipment is safe.

A spokesperson said: "Electric fires are our main cause of fires in Dorset, and the majority are down to faulty equipment or people overloading sockets and plugs. I would like to remind people to make sure they do not overload sockets and to regularly check electrical equipment."

HAE 13A plug inspection guide

As part of its series of SafeHire Technical Bulletins, the Hire Association Europe has published a new document on 13 Amp plug inspection.

The HAE reports that, during SafeHire audits a range of issues have been identified regarding inspection of 13 amp plugs used on 240v equipment.

The bulletin comprises an illustrated guide to the sort of problems associated with 13A plugs with reference to specific potential problems and faults.

The guide warns that the presence of these potentially dangerous faults highlights a lack of inspection that should be undertaken as part of a combined inspection and testing regime.

Copies of the full range of HAE SafeHire Technical Bulletins are available at, www.hae.org.uk/.

Do you use Seaward PAT testing equipment? - If you think you may have a story for future e-news bulletins, please let us know by contacting us here.