Head Office
The Barn
Dagenham
020 8595 5888
Kent Office
Albany Park
Bexley
What is Pat Testing?
Portable Appliance Testing is a visual and electrical inspection of items to ensure they are fit for use and legally compliant. This is carried out by a qualified engineer to identify flaws and misuse of equipment. These flaws could be for example:- damaged cable; wrong fuses; incorrectly wired plugs; casing damage and internal electrical faults.
What Types Of Appliances Need PAT Testing?
There are different classifications for electrical appliances and the tests that are required, below are some classification examples and the applied testing. Each appliance will undergo a thorough visual inspection to check the correct fuse type is fitted and to ensure that there are no signs of damage to the flex, casing or plug. Class 1. This equipment includes toasters, kettles, irons, microwaves, fridge freezers, heaters etc. These items require an earth continuity test, insulation resistance test and a protective earth conductor current test. Class 2. This equipment includes some stereo equipment, televisions, lamps, vacuum cleaners etc. These items require an insulation resistance test and touch current test.
Information technology equipment (IT) includes computers, telecommunications, monitors, printers etc. These items require an earth continuity test and an insulation resistance test. Extension leads and detachable cables such as an IEC lead are classed as a separate item and require an earth continuity test, an insulation resistance test and a polarity test. Hand held equipment includes appliance intended to be held in the hand during normal use, drills, hair dryers etc. Most of these appliances are class 2 but occasionally can be class 1 Microwave Leakage Test. In addition to the electrical test a microwave radiation leakage test is highly recommended, the doors are checked for corrosion, the seals are checked for signs of wear or damage. Finally a test meter is used to ensure that no dangerous microwave emissions are detected.
Legal Requirements?
The legislation of specific relevance to electrical maintenance is the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, the Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999, the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998.
The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 puts the duty of care upon both the employer and the employee to ensure the safety of all persons using the work premises. This includes the self employed.
The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999 states:
"Every employer shall make suitable and sufficient assessment of:
(a) the risks to the health and safety of his employees to which they are exposed whilst at work, and
(b) the risks to ensure the health and safety of persons not in his employment arising out of or in connection with the conduct by him or his undertaking."
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 states:
"Every employer shall ensure that work equipment is maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair."
