Testing Battery powered equipment

[phill79]

I have recently went to a number of sites where battery powered equipment has been stickered and I can only assume tested in some way, then added to the inventory of items.
I was under the impression that laptops for instance is made up of 2 tests, the cable going into the charger (iec/fig 8 etc) and the charger itself. Although the laptop would be visually checked, there was no need to put a sticker on with a unique asset number.
The same goes for battery operated childrens "toys" where the toy itself is battery powered but there is an external psu.
Can someone clarify the position on this for me because I counted over 80 items at one site that were stickered up eg laptops. I have been told by the company who did the tests that it is new regulations, but I can't find anything.
Thanks

[Zenith Testing]

That's a very interesting interpretation of the current regs.

The Electricity at Work Regulations require precautions to be taken with ANY electrical equipment used in work activities. This means anything from high voltage distribution systems to (in some situations) battery powered equipment. No lower voltage limits appear in the regulations or the IEE code of practice because even very low energy electrical systems may cause an ignition hazard in certain circumstances.

For example the EWR draws attention to equipment exposed to explosive substances, dust and gasses and states that they should be constructed so as to prevent danger, with particular attention being given to the IP rating. Battery powered equipment would need to be inspected in this situation but I would say that this environment is a specialist installation and therefore not relevant to in-service inspection and testing. A PAT Tester could not electrically test this type of equipment anyway.

The defining factor relating to battery powered equipment is whether DANGER could arise, as there is no risk of shock, ask yourself could the danger of explosion arise from this battery powered calculator/laptop/clock in an office environment?

[traperoo]

Hi
Do you think these extra stickers could be from someone charging very low prices. They would need to make the job pay somehow after all there is a limit to what you can do in a day if you pat test everything properly.

[phill79]

Hi
Do you think these extra stickers could be from someone charging very low prices. They would need to make the job pay somehow after all there is a limit to what you can do in a day if you pat test everything properly.

That is my belief too, but when questioned by the site after the invoice came in, they started saying about this "new regulation" and the site gave in and paid up!