On Thu, 28 Jul 2011 09:45:18 +1000, "Phil Allison"
wrote:
"Jeff Liebermann is a Clueless Idiot "
Note that we don't have PAT testers in the USA.
** Shame on you.
It wasn't my decision. We have the best government and regulatory
agencies that money can buy.
As part of our
governments War on Industry, we trust the outsourced manufacturures in
China to produce consumer appliances that electrocute only a modest
number of users. We also enjoy the protection of a litigatory
environment, that inspires massive recalls if one defective appliance
is found on the theory that if one is defective, then the entire
production run is also likely to be defective. We also have various
testing and certification labs, that will guarantee that an appliance
design will not kill the user or initiate a fire, even if the
appliance doesn't work. With these protections in place, there's no
need for PAT testing.
** Got NOTHING to do with PAT testing !!!
Not even a little bit?
PAT testing is all about the possibility that electrical equipment may
become unsafe after a period of use, due to wear and tear, accidental damage
and water ingress.
That's not a problem in the USA. We have the worlds best throw away
society. Our tools and electrical equipment are never allowed to get
old enough to become dangerous. No self respecting government
employee would even consider using a used tool or machine. At the
first sign of wear or damage, the device is immediately thrown away,
err... recycled, and replaced with a brand new Chinese replacement.
This may also explain why the USA is nearly bankrupt.
It is only *required* to be done were equipment is of a portable kind and
provided for staff and others to use in a work environment.
In the USA, workers and staff are largely expendable. In some cases,
the tools and equipment are worth more than the operator. I don't see
much reason for an expensive PAT tester, when simply replacing the
operator will probably be cheaper.
For example, hire businesses have to regularly PAT test any electrical items
they rent to folk.
Yeah, that makes sense. The tools and equipment that isn't recycled
or stolen, usually ends up at the local rental yards. I recently had
to rent a chain saw with a big 36" bar. While not electrical, it
would not have passed even a cursory safety inspection. Instead of
mandating PAT testing, perhaps it might be better to give the money
back to the businesses so they can afford to buy new equipment?
It's an idea dreamt up by bureaucrats - and rather pointless since
electrical faults and damage occur at ANY time and PAT testing does nothing
to prevent that.
But, if it saves one life, it must obviously be worth the cost and
effort. That's also the logic here in the USA, particularly in the
drug and product liability industry. If there's only one victim among
millions of perfectly safe users, that's sufficient grounds for
extorting substantial sums from the vendors and enriching the legal
establishment. The search for victims has even extended to TV
advertising by law firms.
--
Jeff Liebermann
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060
http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558