Why Portable Appliance Testing is a Must for your Safety

Table of Content

• Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) Online Training Course
• What needs testing in a PAT inspection?
• How frequently should portable appliances be tested?
• Can I carry out my own PAT testing?
• All You Need To Know About PAT Testing, PAT Testers & Related Topics
• Electrical tests
• How to take online classes from home?

Note the inside of the plug should be checked unless it is moulded or there is an unbroken seal covering the screws . There are many common myths about portable appliance testing - find out the key facts about the inspection and testing of portable electrical equipment here. According to PAT testing legislation, a competent person is someone who has experience or knowledge of being able to check and test appliances for safety purposes.

12V maximum, 1.5 times rated current of appliance or 25A, whichever is greater - commonly known as "type test" or "bond test". The equipment shall have a measured resistance of the protective earth circuit, or the earthing conductor of an extension cord or appliance cord set, which does not exceed 1Ω. This is a process of simply inspecting the appliance, the cable and the plug for any obvious signs of damage. Other countries have similar procedures, for example, testing of equipment according to DGUV Vorschrift 3 in Germany. Extreme temperatures, tugging, pulling and friction all cause tears, cracking and melting. When you contact your PAT tester, let them know roughly how many units need to be tested.

Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) Online Training Course

Therefore, it is not a legal requirement to have a PAT inspection sticker or certificate, the obligation is that equipment must be safe. New equipment should be supplied in a safe condition and not require a formal portable appliance inspection or test. However, a simple visual check is recommended to verify the item is not damaged. Cracked casing can expose the electrical wires/components in an appliance, increasing the risk of electric shock and fire damage.

Damaged electrical equipment needs to consume more electricity to function, resulting in a higher than normal bill. This may mean there is an issue with your electrical equipment and it may be time to replace it. The thud of the washing machine, the ping of the microwave… all electrical appliances make noises as they carry out day-to-day tasks. Although many electrical appliances get the odd scratch and dent, cracked casing can cause an issue.

What needs testing in a PAT inspection?

If you're looking to get PAT testing carried out for your commercial or domestic property, we're here to help.

After successfully passing the MCQ exam you will be eligible to order your certificate of achievement as proof of your new skill. The certificate of achievement is an official credential that confirms that you successfully finished a course with Lead Academy. Certificate can be obtained in PDF version at a cost of £12, and there is an additional fee to obtain a printed copy certificate which is £35.

How frequently should portable appliances be tested?

This can result in appliances becoming unsafe so a proper maintenance schedule is essential for businesses. PAT Testing is therefore a documented method of electrical maintenance which companies are required to undertake on all their portable appliances. If individual pieces of electrical equipment fail the inspection procedure, they will be labelled and 'quarantined' so they can't be used. If someone is injured or property is damaged as a result of faulty electrical equipment, an insurance company may refuse to accept a claim. Gain the essential skills and knowledge you need to propel your career forward as a electrician. Are you looking to begin your portable appliance testing career or want to develop more advanced skills in portable appliance testing?

These readings require interpretation by an electrician or someone with electrical understanding. Advanced PAT testers are effective as facilities management tools because they can record the location and test status of electrical equipment and appliances. Appliances with these components / design should be tested using the leakage current test.

Can I carry out my own PAT testing?

Class III – These are appliances that are supplied at a low voltage called Separated Extra Low Voltage which must be less than 50 V. These appliances are supplied with a transformer supply that is also marked as an SELV PSU. Best Practice is to test the RCD under 1/2, 1X and 5X rated tripping current, each at both the 0 degree and 180 degree phases. (the TEST button referred to here is the test button on the RCD tester not the TEST button on the RCD itself. If the RCD is live, pressing the RCD's own test button should always trip the RCD). The order of the pins of a three pin flat pin plug, to their connections, shall be Earth (radial pin – green/yellow wire), Neutral and then Active , in a clockwise direction, when viewed from the front of the plug looking at the pins. An open-plan office will take less time to test than a building with several offices across multiple floors.

PAT testing is the inspection and testing of the safety of electrical appliances. This is done by a visual inspection that includes looking for frayed cables, damaged insulation, broken plug tops, general damage, and exposed live parts. The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require that any electrical equipment that has the potential to cause injury is maintained in a safe condition. However, the Regulations do not specify what needs to be done, by whom or how frequently (ie they don't make inspection or testing of electrical appliances a legal requirement, nor do they make it a legal requirement to undertake this annually). I am looking for the requirements in the United States of America for the in service inspection and testing of portable appliances. In particular the testing required for electrical equipment used on construction sites, such as drills angle grinders and similar.

Conforming to PAT testing regulations will help you to ensure that the portable appliances in your business are safe and help you to avoid violations. A certificate will then be produced indicating the results of the individual tests. Each item of electrical equipment is given an individual number and identified with a sticker. This provides a clear indication of its pass / fail status and allows the company to schedule further testing.

This early testing and inspection was done under a planned maintenance scheme and pre-dated both the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Electricity at Work Act 1989. Recent HSE publications have relaxed their tone somewhat to acknowledge this, and now point out that in many situations annual PAT is disproportionate to the risks and is often not required. In 2011, the HSE reviewed its approach to portable appliance maintenance in its own offices.

This means you should regularly inspect, test and maintain electrical appliances to make sure they’re compliant. All of our qualified engineers are trained to nationally recognised standards, using the latest equipment to ensure all PAT tests are carried out efficiently and comprehensively. They are also able to carry out all necessary repairs to the power supply at the time of inspection, therefore minimising the number of items failing.