Published:
22 October 2014
Category:
Q&A
James asks this question, which is about PAT testing theatre lighting and the BS 546 round pin plugs used on the light fittings. It has been answered by the NICEIC (Theme – Testing, Tools and Equipment):
This Q & A is one of thousands posted in our Technical Expertise area, and answered on a daily basis by our Voltimum Experts.
Question: A theatre company has asked for my advice, but this is not an area I am familiar with.
The people there need to have their lighting rig PAT tested and have been told that the BS 546 round pin plugs on the light fittings all need replacing since they do not have sleeved pins.
Since BS 546 plugs are still available - both sleeved and un-sleeved – the theatre people would like to know whether this is correct – is it?
The plugs are mostly located high up on the lighting bars and are only accessible by the lighting technicians.
Answer: These are plugs especially designed for lighting provisions and are usually used by persons having technical knowledge and understanding.
The equipment can be tested and the plugs can still be used.
It may be prudent to manufacture an adaptor strictly under the control, and for use by the tester, to allow these lights to be plugged adequately into a PAT tester to perform the correct test criteria to deem the equipment suitable for its continued use.
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