What is PAT Testing?
Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) is an important part of a company's or individual's responsibility to health and safety. This is done using a series of specialised testing procedures on your portable appliances.
Is Portable Appliance Testing a
legal requirement?
No, however, it is a statutory requirement and many insurance
companies require the insured to comply with all current
regulations. This includes the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989,
which state that "As may be necessary to prevent danger, all systems
shall be maintained so as to prevent, so far as reasonably
practicable, such danger" (Regulation 4(2)). "Electrical equipment
includes anything used, intended to be used or installed for use, to
generate, provide, transmit, transform, rectify, convert, conduct,
distribute, control, store, measure or use electrical energy."
(Regulation 2(1)). The responsibility on the employer to ensure work
equipment is safe is also covered by The Provision and Use of Work
Equipment Regulations 1998. This states that "Every employer shall
ensure that work equipment is so constructed or adapted as to be
suitable for the purpose for which it is used or provided."
(Regulation 4(1)). This includes all work equipment (fixed, portable
or transportable) connected to a source of electrical energy."
What does a PAT test consist of?
We start with a visual inspection checking for:
- Damaged flexes
- Damaged plugs and equipment (overheating, burn marks,
discolouration)
- Correctly wired plugs
- Correctly rated fuse
Then a series of tests (depending on the class of equipment),
they may include:
- Earth continuity testing
- Insulation resistance
- Polarity test
- Earth leakage test
What types of appliances need testing?
Basically, any type of equipment, which is powered by electrical
energy.
The IET Code of Practice for In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment states that this Code of Practice covers:
- Portable Appliances:
An appliance of less than 18 kg in mass that is intended to be moved
while in operation or an appliance which can easily be moved from
one place to another, e.g. toaster, food mixer, vacuum cleaner, fan
heater.
- Movable Equipment (sometimes called Transportable):
This is equipment, which is either: 18 kg or less in mass and not
fixed, e.g. electric fire, or equipment with wheels, castors or
other means to facilitate movement by the operator as required to
perform its intended use, e.g. air conditioning unit.
- Hand-held Appliances:
This is portable equipment intended to be held in the hand during
normal use, e.g. hair dryer, drill, soldering iron
- Stationary Equipment or Appliances:
This equipment has a mass exceeding 18 kg and is not provided with a
carrying handle, e.g. refrigerator, washing machine.
- Information Technology Equipment (Business Equipment):
Information technology equipment includes electrical business
equipment such as computer and mains powered telecommunications
equipment, and other equipment for general business use, such as
mail processing machines, electric plotters, trimmers, VDUs, data
terminal equipment, typewriters, telephones, printers,
photo-copiers, power packs.
- Extension Leads:
The use of extension leads should be avoided where possible. If
used, they should be tested as portable appliances. It is
recommended that 3-core leads (including a protective earthing
conductor) be used.
A standard 13 A 3-pin extension socket-outlet with a 2-core cable should never be used even if the appliance to be used in Class II, as it would not provide protection against electrical shock if used at any time with an item of Class I equipment.
The length of an extension lead for general use should not exceed
the following:
- Core Area Maximum Length
- 1.25mm2 12 metres
- 1.5mm2 15 metres
- 2.5mm2 25 metres*
- 2.5mm2 cables are too large for standard 13 A plugs, but they may
be used with BS EN 60309 industrial plugs.
These maximum lengths are not applicable to the flex of an appliance, for guidance refer to paragraph 15.13 (IEE Code of Practice for In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment).
If extension lead lengths do exceed the above, they shall be protected by a 30 mA RCD manufactured to BS 7071.
How often do my appliances need to be PAT
tested?
Frequency of testing depends on the type of equipment and the
environment in which it is used. The frequencies we recommend are
based on the guidelines by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE),
Institution of Engineering & Technology (IET) and our own
experience.
Could I, or one of my employees, carry out
Portable Appliance Testing in-house?
Yes, however, you would need to ensure that any person who carries
this testing out is competent to do so. The Electricity at Work
Regulations 1989 guidance on Regulation 4(3) state that: "The
operation, maintenance and testing of electrical systems and
equipment should be carried out only by those person who are
competent for the particular class of work." This is covered by the
IET Code of Practice for In-Service Inspection and Testing of
Electrical Equipment which states: "Those carrying out inspection
and testing must be competent to undertake the inspection and, where
appropriate, testing of electrical equipment an appliances having
due regard to their own safety and that of others.
The tester must have an understanding of the modes of electrical, mechanical or thermal damage to electrical equipment and appliances and their flexes, which may be encountered in any environment.
Training must include the identification of equipment and appliance types to determine the test procedures and frequency of inspection and testing. Persons must be familiar with the test instruments used and in particular their limitations and restrictions so as to achieve repeatable results without damaging the equipment of appliance.
The importance must be stressed of recording inspection and test results, labelling and reporting to managers for action on defects, trends or changes in their assessment of risk.
Wouldn't it be cheaper if I have one of my
employees carry out Portable Appliance Testing?
Although you may believe that purchasing your own Portable Appliance
Test instrument and having in-house staff carry out the portable
appliance testing may be more cost effective, there are several
factors to bear in mind. Firstly, you would need to ensure that the
requirement of competence is met, which will undoubtedly involve
expenditure in training. Secondly, you need to purchase the
equipment and the software, and gain the expertise in its use. We
find that many companies who have tried to carry out testing
in-house also take more time to do the testing as the staff
generally only do this as part of their job, and do not have the
experience to minimise the disruption factor in shutting down
equipment. There may also be a tendency to "pass" appliances that
may present a potential hazard, as it would mean taking the
appliance out of commission.
All of our test engineers are trained to meet the current recommendations. This is our core business and we firmly believe that we can carry out the Portable Appliance Testing at your premises in the most cost-effective manner, whilst our experience and unique systems minimise the disruption to you and your staff.
What range of experience does PAT
Testing Aberdeen have?
Our experience covers a wide range of business sectors including:
Schools and Colleges, Health Care, Engineering and Construction, oil
and offshore, Transport, Financial Institutions, Government &
Council Bodies, Private Landlords & Letting Agents, Manufacturing
Companies and Retail Shops.
How much will it cost?
Our pricing is based on a cost per appliance. For a free, no
obligation quote, call us now on 01224 896238
Are there any additional costs?
No. Minor repairs to appliances and the supply and/or fitting of
materials e.g. new plugs, correctly rated fuse, rewiring plug top
etc are all free and part of our service.
Why PAT Testing Aberdeen?
We believe that we can offer you, the potential customer, an
unrivalled service, in quality and ability that will minimise
disruption to your day to day operations whilst ensuring that you,
and your staff, are working in the safest environment possible.
We have 1000's of bits of equipment. Does
this mean that we get reams of worthless paper that takes ages to
manage?
We can supply all your test results and appliance register to you on
a CD-ROM instead of or in addition to hard copies of reports. Hard
copies are produced as standard and sent from our Head Office
following completion of testing. These reports include a full
Appliance Register, Fail Certificates (if applicable) and Pass
Certificates, and are bound into a folder for ease of reference. You
will also receive a covering Display Certificate.
Why do you say PAT testing and not PA
Testing?
Portable Appliance Testing is abbreviated to 'PAT.' The phrase 'PAT
Testing' is in fact a tautology in the same way that some people say
'LCD Display'. However, the phrase is commonly used in the industry
even though most people realise it is incorrect. Some people insist
on calling the process PA Testing which causes confusion. The
correct term for the whole process is actually 'In-service
Inspection & Testing of Electrical Equipment'.
Q) My factory operates 24-hours a day, how can you carry
out testing if I can’t stop production?
A) We have a great deal of experience in working within the
constraints of three-shift manufacturing environments. Because the
majority of the testing involves carrying out live tests; we can
schedule dead testing around pre-arranged windows of opportunity. Be
these during holidays, breakdowns, process changes, cleaning or
maintenance stoppages, shift changes or weekends.
Q) I rent my business premises, is testing my landlords
responsibility or mine?
A) You are responsible to make sure that you and your staff comply
with Health & Safety legislation. However, it is usually dependant
on the terms of your lease as to whether you or your landlord pays
for testing to be carried out on the electrical installation.
Usually, if you are on a full repairing lease then the cost will
fall to you. Portable Appliance testing will always be at your
expense.
Q) Can I carry out portable appliance testing in-house?
A) Yes, provided you have the right test equipment and suitably
competent and trained staff who can carry out the work. In practice,
experience has shown that even with suitably competent staff that in
practice time is an issue and PAT testing often gets left at the
back of the “to-do” list.
It is usually also not cost efficient to undertake PAT testing in
house when you consider the cost of contracting out versus the cost
of utilising in-house staff who are often pulled off such tasks to
attend breakdowns. Do the sums.
Q) What will happen if I don’t have testing carried out?
A) Unless and until you suffer an accident then probably nothing
will happen. However, remember that maintenance of a safe electrical
system is a legal requirement. Therefore a preventable accident
could lead to prosecution, for which there will be no insurance
cover.
You may also find that an insurance loss adjuster could make much of
the fact that you may not have maintained the system adequately
which could have led to the claim. Again, this could lead to an
unsuccessful claim and a costly experience.
Q) I run a small business, do I need to have my portable
appliances tested?
A) The Electricity at Work Regulations apply to all businesses from
multi-nationals to sole traders. So you still need to comply.
Q) How often should my portable appliances be tested?
A) The results of previous tests should be considered in a programme
of risk assessment. In the absence of such history then the
following intervals may be considered as a guide. But remember that
other factors such as the ability of site staff to identify any
potential faults or damage and take suitable action. Mechanical
damage and abuse must also be taken into consideration.
Low-risk 24-mothly or more
Medium risk 12-mothly
High risk (ie workshop equipment) 6-monthly
Very high risk (ie site equipment) 3-monthly
Q) I can get my electrical installation tested cheaper
elsewhere, why should I choose PAT Testing Aberdeen?
A) Not all testing companies offer the same service. You can rest
assured that PAT Testing Aberdeen provide a very thorough and cost
effective survey of all systems that will enable you not only to be
able to prove compliance and be comfortable in the knowledge that
any faults present have been found and reported about. But also the
fact that by virtue of the depth of detail that ETS reports provide,
the cost of any remedial work required is likely to be lower than a
less detailed report might be.
Q) How will I know when my next test is due?
A) We hold records of all clients, together with re-test dates on
our database and remind clients when re-tests are due
