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What is PAT?
Portable Appliance Testing, commonly abbreviated to PAT, is the systematic checking of any equipment that can be connected to a common supply by means of an electric plug and socket arrangement. It is an essential part of any electrical compliance programme to ensure that all appliances are safe to use.
The scope of ‘PAT’ is much wider than the name suggests. It doesn’t just include truly portable items but encompasses everything that is attached to the electrical wiring system including IT equipment, and fixed appliances up to 400 Volts. A freezer cabinet, for example, is classed as a ‘portable appliance’ as is a photocopier or drinks cabinet.
As with Fixed Wire Testing, PAT is encompassed in the IET (Institute of Engineering and Technology) British Standard BS7671. The groupings for PAT as defined by the IET include ‘moveable’, ‘stationary’, ‘portable’, handheld’ and ‘IT’. By definition this offers a very broad spectrum of equipment that falls within these groups so Pat usually concerns large numbers of individual tests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to have a PAT every year?
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 (i.e. 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).
Do I need to label any tested appliances?
There is no legal requirement to label equipment that has been inspected or tested, nor is there a requirement to keep records of these activities. However, a record and / or labelling can be a useful management tool for monitoring and reviewing the effectiveness of the maintenance scheme – and to demonstrate that a scheme exists.
Is Portable Appliance Testing Compulsory?
No. The law simply requires an employer to ensure that their electrical equipment is maintained in order to prevent danger. It does not say how this should be done or how often. Employers should take a risk-based approach, considering the type of equipment and what it is being used for. If it is used regularly and moved a lot e.g. a floor cleaner or a kettle, testing (along with visual checks) can be an important part of an effective maintenance regime giving employers confidence that they are doing what is necessary to help them meet their legal duties. HSE provides guidance on how to maintain equipment including the use of PAT.
Do I need to get an electrician to do a PAT?
The person doing testing work needs to be competent to do it. In many low-risk environments, a sensible (competent) member of staff can undertake visual inspections if they have enough knowledge and training. However, when undertaking combined inspection and testing, a greater level of knowledge and experience is needed, and the person will need:
- The right equipment to do the test
- The ability to use this test equipment properly
- The ability to properly understand the test results
The Bottom Line
Remember; the object of this exercise is to maintain electrical safety and prevent risk of fire or shock.
Regulation (29) of The Electricity at Work Regulations states:
“It shall be a defence for any person to prove that they took all reasonable steps and exercised all due diligence to avoid the commission of the offence”
Test reports, together with other preventative maintenance documentation will form the basis of this proof and will provide your best defence against prosecution should the need arise. Many Duty Holders are unaware of the insurance implications of not having an up-to-date Portable Appliance Testing programme in place. In the UK, 25% of fires start from portable appliances!
Failure to carry out the necessary tests may result in your insurance company refusing to pay out in the unfortunate circumstances of an accident or fire.
Increasingly, insurers are insisting that inspection and testing be carried out on a regular basis.
To fulfil the Duty Holder’s responsibility and ensure compliance, the HSE recommend that a risk assessment should be carried out.
- Identify the risk
- Decide who might be harmed and how
- Evaluate the risks arising from the hazards and decide whether existing precautions are adequate or whether more control measures should be taken
However, unless you are suitably qualified, how do you identify and judge the hazards?
In practice, for Portable Appliance Testing this means using a professional affiliated to an approved body such as NICEIC (National Inspection Council for the Electrical Installation Contracting Approved Contractors Scheme) the electrical industry’s voluntary body for electrical installation matters throughout the UK or at least an individual qualified to City & Guilds 2377.
The easiest way to fulfil your Health and Safety obligations as an employer is to get an unbiased qualified expert to test the electrical wiring system in your premises including the portable appliances.
The Good News
At CGE, all of our test engineers are qualified to City and Guilds 2377. They have a great deal of experience of working within all business environments. They are able to carry out testing quickly and efficiently whilst causing the minimum disruption to your staff and business.
By its very nature, a PAT can involve a considerable number of individual tests. Just look around you. In an office, for example, an individual can have many portable appliances around them including computers, screens, printers and faxes to name but a few. A computer for example is not just one test; it can mean as many as three or four tests.
We use computerised test instruments to carry out Portable Appliance Tests. These test instruments are extremely accurate, fast and reliable. Not only do these instruments have the ability to gather test results in a downloadable software format, they have also been specifically designed to safely carry out testing of sensitive ’IT’ equipment without causing any damage to the electronics within.
The use of these test machines together with thorough visual inspections enables CGE to supply and maintain stringent high standards of workmanship. High quality data together with less time on site supports and guarantees a high quality service at a competitive price.
Minor Repairs
In addition, we are able to carry out minor remedial repairs at the time of test thereby enabling us to pass otherwise unnecessarily ‘failed’ appliances. These minor repairs include:
- Change incorrectly sized fuses
- Replace damaged plugs
- Rewire faulty plugs
In addition to visually inspecting every appliance for damage, correct use and suitability our engineers can where required, carry out Microwave Leakage Testing to ensure radiation levels are acceptable.
Every item tested is labelled with the test date. Upon completion the results are compiled into a detailed report of all appliances cross referenced to an itemised asset register. Results can be accessed by logging into our Client Portal.
CGE works closely with Duty Holders to create a programme of Portable Appliance Testing appropriate to the risk presented. We strive to ensure that our clientele receives the most cost-effective sustainable service solution whilst reducing the risk of future faults and accidents.
