Seaward PAT2000i - Manual (Page 14)

The IEE recommends that flash testing is not required for in service
equipment.
LOAD TEST
Before switching full power on to an appliance the load test is conducted which applies
a voltage through a current limiting resistor to the mains supply plug and checks that
the current flow will not be excessive when full voltage is applied.
The result of this test is not displayed unless the tester detects a potentially high current
in which case the user can determine whether it is safe to continue. This test is for
230V appliances only.
OPERATION TEST
The appliance under test is energised at either 110V or 230V depending on the voltage
selected through the mains supply plug for a period of 8 seconds. The PAT2000i
measures the power taken by the appliance after 4 seconds and displays the reading in
KVA based on a nominal supply voltage.
LEAKAGE TEST
During the operation tests described in the above section the PAT2000i monitors the
current flow through the earth lead of the appliance and displays the result on the
screen with a pass or fail indication.
NOTE: The IEE recommends that information technology equipment not constructed
to BS EN 60950 may be damaged by applied voltage testing. It is
recommended that earth leakage measurement is performed on this type of
equipment.
This particular test is of value when an appliance incorporates a number of sequences
which may change the characteristics of the product during its operation. As such these
defects would not be apparent under normal passive testing.
Appendix C details the Earth Leakage limits applicable to each group of equipment.
• It is important for complete testing that the appliance is switched on for the duration of
the test cycle.
• At the end of the leakage test a warning may be given ‘Low Load, check fuse’. If the
appliance is known to be less than 50VA rating the fuse may be found to be healthy
and the test has been valid.
• It should be noted that the variety of appliances on the market is such that it is unlikely
that one default testing routine will satisfy all users appliances, therefore if any doubt
exists as to exactly which tests are to be performed on a specific appliance, the
manufacturer of the appliance under test should be consulted for a definitive answer.
IEC LEAD CONTINUITY / POLARITY TEST
The lead is connected to the 230V socket and the IEC connector a current of 500mA is
passed through the live and neutral conductors and a check is made to ensure that
there is no breaks or cross wiring.
WARNINGS
• Do not touch the appliance while testing is in progress. A high voltage of 1.5kV is
applied with respect to earth during flash test and a nominal 500V DC during
insulation test.
PAT 2000i Portable Appliance Tester
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PAT 2000i Booklet 7/3/03 4:26 pm Page 12