Pat Testing... Question

[Dane]

Was at a customers today. and got talking, and he asked me the following

Last week they had a "pat tester" in to do the pat testing

The next day when they came to fire up the main computer it had fried, the IT technician checked it over, power supply had burnt up along with several other internal components..

I was asked, could this have been caused by the PAT testing guy? or just pure coincidence?

 

[danny7299]

YES!!!!!!

he could have tested it wrong and basically fried it!

 

[Dane]

Ok thanks, the pat tester is denying it completely saying it must have already been like that.

But im pretty certain that if it was "already like that" it would have failed a pat test?

 

[danny7299]

In the old days of PAT testing, engineers used to carry out a test called a 'flash test' whereby 3000V was applied across the insulation to detect any breakdown. At the time, the only items which were PAT tested would be power tools and machinery - then people started to test computers (with disastrous consequences) and all hell broke loose.

Very quickly, the advice given was not to test computers! Of course the test equipment manufacturers quickly modified their testers to carry out 'soft tests' for computers, and the computer manufacturers redesigned their power supplies so they would not be damaged by the test.

Unfortunately, even many years later you still meet people who refuse to have their machines tested for fear of damage. This does, however, mean that people may be using computers unaware of a dangerous fault.....

Nowadays, the only two tests which are carried out on PC's are the Earth Bond Test and Insulation Test. The Insulation Test might cause damage to the power supply, UNLESS it is manufactured to BS EN 67950. ALL computers (and monitors and fax machines etc) have to comply with this standard, and have done since the early 90's. So the 'correct' procedure is to carry out earth and insulation tests on all modern computers, but to leave out the insulation test if the device appears to be more than about 10 years old. (not too many computers - but occasional monitors and printers are quite old.)

 

[danny7299]

ask him to see the Test result , it should say,

Time, Date , Applieance ID, and what tests where done!

 

[Dane]

I dont no many details on what it is.

All i know is the pat Tester was there in the evening, the next day the computer was down and buggered basicly.

btw all, this was not me, i refused to do pat testing, its stupidly boring lol

 

[danny7299]

well i would put money on ... the pat bloke!

 

[Dane]

Next one then...

I bet this is quite difficult..

Can it be proven?

Am i right in thinking that if it was "pre ****ed" it would have failed a test?

 

[danny7299]

the only way to prove it is if the pat testing bloke , didn't know he had broken it, and thefore didn't doctor the results. and they are in the customers posesition.

i don't know about other Pat testers , but mine once you do the test , the results are un-change able,

i guess that you could, pat test a computer that was buggered and it pass, as all it does is

Earth bond test

Insulation Resistance Test

Tests on computer equipment are "soft tests" of 200mA on earth continuity.

No operational tests are carried out on computer CPUs.

so i guess as long as the earth is ok , ...

its going to be hard to prove.

 

[danny7299]

i would refuse to pay him, and see how he reacts, ... i dont think i would push it, if i knew i was in the wrong.

 

[Dane]

got a feeling they have already paid.

Although the "club" that own the place would be more than happy to go to court if there is a possibility that the pat bloke caused the damage

 

[danny7299]

i would get them to look at that record for that test, ( i issue my records with the bill , but he may keep them)

i would then re- test the PC to see if the results match up, ( like i said you could still pass even if its broken)

and then i would then start to put the pressure on the bloke saying things like:

PC is being sent off to a firm who will write a report on the damage caused and how it occored, on recieving the results if it is indicated that the PC was broken due to pat testing , we will be seeking legal advice. they will be instructed to create a case , and to reclaime all costs from the Pat testing company for, legal advice, the report from and repare costs, etc etc

i would just push it all the way, and like i said , my money is on the pat testing bloke broke it, so he should cave in and pay for it to be fixed.

 

[Andy™]

just remember people that the computer may have already been faulty, and the bloke who done the test may have had nothing to do with it

 

[Dane]

Ive got a feeling its got more to do with the details that have been lost.

 

[Theorysparky]

my pat tester is real basic and even that has an IT setting

i bet the pc was the only one in the building and he forgot to change his setting in his rush to get away

surely they 'know' someone who could right a report stating excessive voltage caused damaged,,,,

i would put a claim in on his insurance

 

[danny7299]

i killed a Fax machine once,,, told them ... ended up doing that job for free... but i still go and do there pat testing now...

but apart from that i have never come across a pc that was working one day then not!

some times you have to just hold your hand up and say " F***"

 

[Riggy]

If ever I'm in court I hope you lot aren't the jury!

"Take Him Down"

 

[danny7299]

If ever I'm in court I hope you lot aren't the jury!"Take Him Down"

do you think he didn't brake it? hehe

 

[Riggy]

do you think he didn't brake it? hehe

I think maybe some customers are capable of not being completely honest if they think they can get a new computer out of someone else's insurance!

Could the tester have caused the damaged? - Of course he could

Could the computer have failed coincidentally on the same day - Of course it could

Could the computer have failed several weeks before but have passed it's test and "now" found to be faulty - Of course it could

Hang him?

ROTFWL

 

[danny7299]

if it was me , i would be able to prove i didn't do it by showing the customer the test results.