The technical team at Megger answers another common contractor query.
YOU ASK:
I’M REALLY HAPPY WITH MY MEGGER PAT TESTER – IT’S FAST, EASY TO USE AND RELIABLE. BUT NOW A FRIEND HAS TOLD ME THAT I SHOULD STOP USING IT AS IT DOESN’T COMPLY WITH THE NEW 5TH EDITION OF THE CODE OF PRACTICE. SURELY THIS CAN’T BE RIGHT?
Megger says:
It isn’t right and you can definitely carry on using your trusty Megger PAT tester! It’s true that the new CoP has made a small change to the pass value for touch leakage current, from 3.5 mA to 5.0 mA, but this isn’t a cause for concern. Remember that the Code of Practice is only a guidance document. The underlying standards, IEC 60990 (methods of measurement of touch current) and BS EN 50678 (testing after repair) haven’t changed – they still stipulate 3.5 mA. So you’re perfectly OK to stick to the pass limit of 3.5 mA – which is arguably a safer limit.
Don’t forget, by the way, that the manufacturer of the item you’re testing may specify a non-standard limit for earth leakage and, if they do, the Megger PAT420 has a user selectable pass limit for touch leakage anyway. You can select anywhere between 0.1 and 20mA. Finally, to be absolutely clear, Megger PAT testers fully comply with all relevant and current British and IEC standards and you can be totally confident that they still meet your PAT testing requirements.
View the Megger PAT420 technical data sheet by clicking here
