Portable Appliance Testing

Are your electrical appliances safe?

An electrical accident is 12 times more likely to be fatal than other types of accident.

Inspection & testing of electrical equipment

Portable appliance testing (PAT Testing) is an essential part of any business’s maintenance program. Our PAT testing is compliant with IEE’s code of practice and meets HSE guidelines.

Regulation 4 (2) of the electricity at Work Regulations 1989 requires that:

“As may be necessary to prevent danger, all systems shall be maintained so as to prevent, so far as reasonably practicable, such danger”.

The benefits of PAT testing

PAT testing is proven to be the best way to safeguard your business, employees & visitors’ safety within your premises. A regular preventative maintenance program also ensures that all reasonable steps have been taken to comply with current health & safety legislation.

Furthermore, it can also prove you have not been negligent in cases where claims arise against your business or where you need to claim for insurance in cases of loss or damage.

The dangers of electricity

An electric shock can kill or seriously injure and this is one of the hazards that electrical safety legislation is intended to protect against.

The legal duty is to ensure that if danger would result, electrical equipment must be maintained to prevent such danger. Inspection and testing are the means of determining whether maintenance is required and your risk based assessment should include the following to determine the frequency of testing:

  1. The environment
  2. The users
  3. The equipment construction
  4. The equipment type
  5. The frequency of use
  6. The type of installation methods
  7. Previous records

What is Classed as a Portable Appliance?

A portable appliance is an electrical appliance that is not part of a fixed installation and can be plugged in and moved.

Why is a PAT Test Needed?

A PAT test will check that portable appliances are safe, helping you to ensure that your organisation meets health and safety requirements, including The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations and The Electricity at Work Regulations. The use of untested appliances may also invalidate your insurance.

What does a PAT Test Involve?

The engineer will first perform a visual inspection of the appliance to ensure that it is in good working order, free from damage, has not been tampered with in any way and has the correct fuse fitted.

Following the visual inspection, the engineer will perform a safety test which will include:

• Earth Continuity Testing

• Insulation Resistance Testing

• Protective Conductor/ Touch Current Testing

Finally, the engineer will perform a functionality check, powering up the appliance to ensure that it is working correctly.

Following these checks, the engineer will either pass or fail the appliance and label it accordingly.