What is portable appliance testing? Portable appliance testing, also known as PAT testing, is the inspection and testing of 'portable' electrical appl...
What is portable appliance testing?
Portable appliance testing, also known as PAT testing, is the inspection and testing of 'portable' electrical appliances. This is done both visually, using your eyes, and electronically using a dedicated PAT tester. The reason for carrying out portable appliance testing is to ensure, as far as is practically possible, the safe working condition of the electrical equipment used by yourself, your staff or your customers.
What is portable electrical equipment?
Portable electrical equipment is, in a nutshell, any electrical appliance which has a plug attached. This includes computers, laptops and monitors. Hair dryers and hair straighteners. Microwave ovens, kettles and toasters. Electronic tills and weighing scales and so on.
Can I do the PAT testing myself?
Yes. The regulations state that only a 'competent' person needs to carry out the testing. Although the regulations do not clarify what 'competent' means, it is safe to assume the person doing the testing knows how to safely wire a standard British mains plug and have a good idea of what amp fuse should be fitted.
Do I need to test every appliance?
No. Appliances which are battery operated do not need testing. Also, appliances with a low power consumption, i.e. those with a mains adaptor or transformer with a power output of less than 50 volts AC such as a telephone, DAB radio, external hard drive, etc. However any part of the electrical system that is subjected to 240v AC, should be tested
How can I tell if an appliance is damaged?
More often than not, if it looks damaged, it is damaged. 95 percent of all electrical faults are discovered simply by looking. You need to check the plug to make sure it is correctly wired and there are no signs of over heating such as burns or scorch marks. You need to check the entire length of the cable to make sure it is not damaged in any way, and the casing should be checked for signs of damage, including cracked or missing parts and sighs of overheating.
What should I do if an appliance is damaged?
If you find an appliance is damaged you should remove it from use. To further ensure that a potentially dangerous item cannot be used, remove the plug. Appliances can often be repaired, and an electrical engineer should be able to advise you as to whether an appliance should be repaired or replaced.
Are there any benefits of using a qualified testing engineer?
Yes. A qualified testing engineer with experience of portable appliance testing can usually complete the task far quicker and with less disruption to your normal daily activities than a 'competent' member of staff. A qualified testing engineer will also have a PAT testing device used for checking for faults which cannot be visually identified such as earthing, polarity and resistance issues.
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