PAT Testing (Portable Appliance Testing)

A portable appliance is simply an item of electrical equipment, which is connected to the power supply by means of a plug and socket.

Why do I need to PAT test?

• To comply with the Electricity at Work Regulations
• To comply with the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations
• To minimise the risk of fire and injury caused by electrical appliances
• To satisfy your Insurance company
• To comply with all Health and Safety requirements and ISO standards
• Quality Assurances also require you to comply
• You have a duty of care to your employees to offer safe equipment

One of the first things Health and Safety Inspectors and Fire Officers ask to see are PAT records.

What does it involve?

There are two parts to a PAT.  A formal visual inspection and electrical testing using a dedicated portable appliance test instrument.

Part one - the following items are inspected

The Lead

• Is it in good condition?
• Is it free from cuts, fraying and damage?
• Is it too long or too short?
• Are there any hand-made or taped joints?
• Is the cable secure where it enters the plug?

The Appliance

• Is it working?
• Does is switch on and off properly?
• Is there any damage to the external casing?

The Plug

• Are the cable terminations secure and correct?
• Is the cord grip effective?
• Is the correct fuse fitted?
• Are there any signs of internal damage, overheating etc?

General

• Is the piece of equipment suitable for the work, the environment and use?

Once passed this stage the item is ready for electrical testing as follows:-

Cord Test

This tests the integrity of the mains cord terminated with IEC sockets.  The cord test checks the polarity of the mains conductors, the phase, neutral and earth insulation and the safety earth continuity where an earth conductor is used.  This test ensures that the mains cable is safe to use and that subsequent tests on the equipment are not atributed to the mains cord.

Earth Bond / Earth continuity test

The current flowing in the earth circuit verifes that the earth path will carry fault currents in the event of an equipment fault.

Insulation Test

This is to check the integrity of the equipment insulation.  This test is not applied to IT equipment unless in complies with BS EN 60950.

Earth Leakage Test

During the earth leakage test, current flowing in the earth lead is monitored to check that no potentially hazardous, voltage-induced, earth leakage paths are credated by the operating condiitons.  This

Is there any disruption to the workforce?

As with any testing, there will be a certain amount of disruption although we endeavour to keep this to an absolute minimum.  Testing can also be carried out 'out of hours' if required enabling your workforce to continue the working day as normal.