Step by step guide to wiring a plug

Wiring a plug is not difficult but you would be surprised how often people get it wrong. A wrongly wired (or fused) plug puts everyone at risk from electric shock or fire. This chapter gives a step by step guide to wiring a plug.

(This is a chapter extract from the Manual of Portable Appliance Testing)

Finding an Earth Point on an appliance when doing a Class I test

One difficulty one faces when carrying out a Class I test is where to connect the test lead to. Newcomers to PAT testing can spend time finding a suitable earth point or worse still fail appliances that should pass. This blog advices on suitable earth points on a number of common appliances.

Dangeorus IEC Power Cords

Recently, a sample of an IEC power cord was sent to me by Gerald Ruane of Ashdale Electrical Testing. This was following a Linkedin discussion started by Patrick Maher of PAT's Testing Swindon. Below is a report on this highly dangerous lead.

Edition 4 of the IET code of practice - update 2

The new edition of the IET Code of Practice landed on my desk yesterday. The preview information promised a new section presenting advice on the sale of pre-owned equipment so understandably I was quite excited. This promised to be good news for charity shops.

New guidance on selling used electrical items

With more and more charities selling used electrical items, the IET (Institute of Engineering and Technology) has produced some guidelines which will feature in the new Edition of the Code of Practice.

Rating Plate on appliances

Our general advise is that appliances that do not have Rating Plates should not be resold. This advise is often called into question by some charity shops which have donated electrical items such as antique lamps of some value. Why do we advise this?

PAT Testing kettles

We get asked often about PAT testing kettles. Below are some guidelines on how to go about this. We will look at corded and cordless kettles as well as travel kettles. The different heating elements used will also be covered.