TESTSAFE minipat APPLIANCE TESTER USER MANUAL
TABLE OF CONTENTS SAFETY RULES 3 GENERAL DESCRIPTION 4-9 Overall Result 4 Earthing and Class I Appliances 5 Overall Result Class I Appliances and Cables 5 Inserting the Battery 6 Low Battery Warning 6 Calibration 6 Visual Checking 7 Determining the Appliance Class 8-9 SAFE OPERATION 10 Preuse Check 10 APPLIANCE CHECKING 11-16 How to Test an Appliance 11 Class I and II Testing Examples 12-16 SPECIFICATIONS 17-18 LIMITED WARRANTY 19 2
SAFETY RULES CAUTION RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK This appliance tester has been designed with your safety in mind. However, no design can completely protect against incorrect use. Electrical circuits can be dangerous and/or lethal when lack of caution or poor safety practices are used. DO NOT USE the minipat tester on any appliance which is connected to the electrical supply. Ensure the appliance under test is fully isolated from the mains. Do not touch any exposed wiring, connections or other "live" parts of any electrical circuit. If in doubt, do not proceed and seek advice. CAUTION: READ THE MANUAL! Follow the instructions contained within this user manual every time. Training courses and DVD's can be found here: www.pat-testing-course.com 3
GENERAL DESCRIPTION This minipat is a simplified version of a standard PAT tester that uses low voltage to perform all of its testing function. The minipat is also suitable for use on IT equipment. The minipat is not intended to be used to perform high volume or certification-type testing where readings are required. It has been designed to be simple to use, but still has all the necessary basic functions to check a normal appliance. The minipat gives indication of an appliance's safety and allows users to decide if appliance or cables are OK to use. It is also useful for checking correct operation in the time period between annual PAT testing. It can also be used to quickly give indication if an appliance has insulation or earth fault. The minipat give an indication that the insulation resistance is acceptable. If this is not the case, the L-E or N-E LED light will illuminate red, showing a likely insulation fault. If the insulation and earth bond of the appliance are correct the overall result LEDs will illuminate green. Overall Result The unit has an overall result indicator depending upon which Class of appliance is being tested. Class I appliances must be green. Class II appliances must be green. 4
Earthing and Class I Appliances Class I appliances and cables must always have an earth wire fitted for safety. It is a critical safety feature of class I appliances and a class I cable that the earth wire is connected. As well as the insulation test the minipat will also verify that the resistance between the earth chassis of the appliance and the earth conductor (at the plug) connected to the appliance is less than 0.3Ω (ohms). If this is not the case, the earth bond LED will illuminate red, showing a likely continuity fault between the earth at the plug and the chassis of the appliance. If the earth result is under 0.3Ω the earth LED will light up green. Overall Result Class I Appliances and Cables When the insulation and the earth LED test results have passed, the class I overall result LED will light up green, showing that the appliance has passed the predetermined tests. Please note that due to the fact that this checker uses less than 10V for its test, faulty voltage-dependent devices could be undetected, such as surge protected extension leads. 5
Inserting the Battery Your minipat comes complete with a PP3 battery in the carry case. Before use for the first time you need to insert the battery into the tester. To do this: 1) Remove the tester from the green silicone protective boot and unscrew the two screws in the side of the tester. 2) Lift off the lid and connect the battery to the connector. 3) Refit the lid in the reverse of the manner above, taking care not to damage any cable within. Your minipat is now ready to use. Low Battery Warning The minipat is fitted with a low battery warning light which will light up when the battery voltage is below 7V (volts). If this happens, replace the battery. Calibration It is recommended that the unit should be calibrated every 12 months to ensure reading accuracy. 6
Visual Checking Before carrying out any type of test on an appliance you must check the following: 1) Plug - For signs of cracks, damage and/or overheating. - Ensure the cable is tightly in the plug and not loose. 2) Cable - For splits in the cable and/or areas that have been covered with insulating tape. 3) Appliance - That the switch functions correctly and that it's not cracked or damaged. - There are no signs of overheating. - All covers are in place. If you find any of the above faults the appliance should be withdrawn from service and not used. Do not carry out any testing if you find an appliance that is damaged in any way. Before testing any appliance try and make sure any switches are in the ON position. 7
Important Information - Determining the Appliance Class Before you can check any appliance, you must first determine the class of the appliance. This will determine which LEDs you need to check whilst testing. Appliances and cables generally only fit into one of two classes: Class I or Class II. Class I Appliances Class I appliances always require an earth wire from the earth pin of the plug to the bodywork of the appliance for safety. Examples of class I appliances include: Kettles, toasters, irons, microwaves, washing machines, PCs, monitors, shredders & laptop chargers. Class I Cables These must always have an earth for safety which runs from the earth pin of the plug to the earth socket on the earth socket on the other end of the cable. Examples include: Kettle power leads, PC mains leads, laptop power supply cables, monitor mains leads, 4 way extensions & extension reels. See cable examples on the following pages. 8
Class II Appliances These appliances are double insulated for safety and DO NOT require an earth cable safety. Examples of Class II appliances are: Mobile phone chargers, DVD players, hairdryers, food mixers, straighteners, hedge trimmers, lawnmowers and mains powered drills. If you are unsure what class an appliance is, first look for a Class II symbol somewhere on the appliance identification / rating plate. The Class II Symbol looks like this: What If Your Cannot Find the Class II Symbol? Treat the appliance as a Class I. If you are unsure about class identification and PAT testing, why not take a look at the website below which offers a training DVD? www.pat-testing-course.com 9
SAFE OPERATION Pre-use Check DO NOT CONNECT ANY APPLIANCE TO THE TESTER DURING THIS CHECK. 1) Press the "TEST" button. The LOW BATTERY indicator should NOT light up. The Class I and the Earth LED should light up red. The Class II and the Insulation LED should light up GREEN. 2) If the above is correct then you can proceed to use the tester. 10
APPLIANCE CHECKING How to Test an Appliance 1) Plug the appliance into the minipat, then touch a metal part of the appliance (unpainted screw or chassis) with the tip of the test probe, making sure there is a good contact. 2) Press the "TEST" button and check the LEDs. The appiance is a pass only if: Class I: Insulation, Earth and Class I LEDs are green. See Fig 1. Class II: Insulation and Class II LEDs are green. See Fig 2. Fig 1 Fig 2 11
Class I Example: PC The appliance is plugged into the minipat. Touch the probe onto the appliance casing and test. As this is a Class I appliance all LEDs must be green. 12
Class I Example: Electrical Water Urn The appliance is plugged into the minipat. Appliance switch is in the ON position. Attach the probe to clean metal work on the appliance and test. As this is a Class I appliance all LEDs must be green. 13
Class I Example: Extension Lead Plug the extension lead into the minipat. Plug the supplied earth adapter into the extension lead and repeat for each socket. 14
Class II Example: Drill Plug the extension lead into the minipat. Attach the earth probe onto any exposed metalwork and Test. Latch the appliance in the ON position. As this is a Class II appliance we need to check that both the insulation and overall Class II LEDs are illuminated green. This appliance has passed. If the insulation on the appliance is faulty the insulation lights will flash or remain steady red. 15
Laptop Supply and IEC Cables If you are testing laptop power supply and kettle-type leads, there is a special adaptor kit which is sold separately which will allow you to easily test these with the test probe. 110V and 240V Industrial appliances can also be checked using the adaptor kits. Special Appliances There are some appliances which are Class I which you simply cannot access any metalwork with your test probe. These are appliances such as laptop power supplies, some shredders and some makes of desktop fan. There are also some flat bottom kettles with entirely plastic casing which come under this type of appliance. The general rule of thumb is that with these appliances only you can omit the earth test and treat them as Class II only on the condition that there is no metalwork that can be touched with a finger. 16
SPECIFICATIONS ELECTRICAL Resistance Ranges: Class I Appliances and Cables The L-E LED will light red when the resistance between line to earth on the appliance or cable is lower than 1MΩ ±5%. The N-E LED will light red when the resistance between neutral to earth is lower than 1MΩ ±5%. The earth bond LED will light green when the resistance between the earth of the appliance or cable to the probe is lower than 0.3Ω ±5%. Class II Appliances The Class II result light will be red if the insulation falls below 2MΩ. The insulation LED's will flash alternately if the resistance is between 2MΩ and 1MΩ. The insulation LED's will be solid red if the insulation is below 1MΩ. Test Current: Line to Earth test current is 5uA maximum. Neutral to Earth test current 5uA maximum. Earth to Probe test current is 50mA maximum. 17
Maximum Output Voltage: Response Time: Battery Low Indicator: 5V rms 0.1secs nominal 7V nominal MECHANICAL Size: 72mm x 150mm x 36mm Weight (less carrying case): Approx. 194g (with battery) ENVIRONMENTAL Operating Temperature Range: -15ºC to +55ºC Storage Temperature: -20ºC to +70ºC GENERAL Battery: 9V / CE Marked / EN 61326-1 18
LIMITED WARRANTY We warrant the product to be from defective material or workmanship and agree to repair or replace this product if faulty within a twenty-four-month period. Consult the user manual for proper instruction regarding use of this tester. Our obligation under this warranty is limited to repairing or replacing this test equipment which proves to be defective within twelve-month period from the date of original purchase. This warranty does not apply to any products which have been repaired or altered by unauthorized persons in any way so as, in our sole judgment, or which have been subject to misuse, abuse, misapplication, negligence or accidental damage or which have had the serial numbers altered, defaced or removed. All warranties implied by law are hereby limited to a period of 12 months, and the provisions of the warranty are expressly in lieu of any other warranties expressed or implied. The purchaser agrees to assume all liability for any damages or bodily injury which may result from the use or misuse of the product by the purchaser, or its user, his employees, or others, and the remedies provided for in this warranty are expressly in lieu of any other liability we may have including incidental or consequential damages. 19
DISTRIBUTED BY PASS Ltd 1 Wilson Street Stockton On Tees TS17 7AR United Kingdom www.tester.co.uk +44 800 247 1600 For Pat Testing Courses and a Training DVD with certificate visit! www.pat-testing-course.com 20