Portable
Appliance
Testing

Portable Appliance Testing

 

 C&G 2377 qualified engineers

 Free minor repairs

 All tested items labelled

 Full itemised test report

 Test completion certificate

We are fully qualified to carry out Portable Appliance Testing (PAT), which is the term used to describe the examination of electrical appliances and equipment to ensure they are safe for use by your employees or the public alike.

Whilst it is not a legal requirement to have your appliances tested, the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require that any electrical equipment that has the potential to cause injury is maintained in a safe condition, therefore by having it tested you will have the confidence that you have done all you can to eliminate risk.

Any item of equipment that connects to a fixed mains supply, or generated supply, with a plug or a detachable lead, must be inspected on a regular basis to ensure it is safe to use. A visual check should be carried out by the user of the equipment each time it is used, but for added peace of mind the equipment should be formally inspected and tested periodically for electrical safety.

The frequency of inspection and testing varies by the type of equipment and the environment it is used in, and though there are guidelines on suggested test intervals, the general advice is to carry out a risk assessment to determine the re-test frequency for each appliance which we can advise you on.

PAT is a combination of a formal visual inspection of the appliance casing and/or cable and plug for damage, and that the plug terminations are secure and the correct rated fuse cartridge is being used, and only when the item passes the visual inspection will it be followed by an electrical safety test, using appropriate and calibrated test equipment, as laid down by the The IET’s Code of Practice for In-service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment.

The specialised equipment we use to conduct the electrical test is calibrated annually, is designed to test IT equipment, and has specific tests for different classes of appliance, whether that be an IEC lead used to connect a PC to the mains supply, the PC itself, a long extension lead or a kettle.

Each item inspected and tested is assigned a unique appliance ID, and the appliance description and location, together with the results of the inspection and test are recorded. A label is applied to the appliance showing whether it passed or failed, and for failed appliances the reason for failure is also recorded for later printing or analysis. This information is recorded whether the appliance failed the visual or electrical safety test.

Where it is not possible, or practical, to power off equipment to carry out a physical electrical test, such as a server, a network switch or a CCTV recording appliance, we will conduct a formal visual inspection only and record that against the appliance, so you will have a historical record of appliances that have not been physically tested for electrical safety and maybe schedule a downtime or maintenance window when a test can be carried out.

As part of the visual check, we undertake minor rectifications such as securing plug cable clamps and terminal connections, or replacing a fuse cartridge free of charge, and we replace plugs for a nominal charge depending upon the type of plug required. With the exception of fuse cartridge replacement, moulded plugs can't be replaced or repaired, so the item will be failed.

Upon completion of all tests, we provide a full asset register detailing every test carried out and the overall result of that test, and optionally a detailed report showing the actual readings for each test can be provided at no additional cost if requested. We also provide a completion certificate to confirm when the testing was carried out and by whom.

Our charges are reasonable and competitive, and we will work with you to carry out the testing in the least disruptive manner and at the least disruptive time for your business, though additional charges may apply for out of hours and weekend or bank holiday testing. Click here for more information on our Portable Appliance Testing charges.

Beware of "sticker jockeys" or companies that advertise ridiculously low per item testing costs, as they simply slap a sticker on an appliance without carrying out any form of inspection or testing. All you are paying for are the labels and a report showing the description of appliances that have had labels applied, so if you currently have your appliances formally inspected and tested take a close look at how long they take to test the number of appliances you are being charged for, and if you are in any doubt as to whether they are simply a "sticker jockey" ask for a detailed report showing the result of each test.

It is your responsibility to ensure that your electrical equipment is really safe to use, and paying for a service you are not getting is not only a waste of your money but could also have serious health and safety consequences.

If you want to learn more about Portable Appliance Testing, please get in touch for an initial no obligation chat.