AFFORDABLE PAT TESTING ACROSS LONDON AND THE SOUTH EAST.

What is pat testing?

Portable Appliance Testing (PAT testing) is the examination of portable electrical equipment and appliances to ensure they are safe to use in the working environment.

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Why do you need pat testing?

Poorly maintained or faulty electrical equipment can cause electric shocks, burns or fires. Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, it is an employer’s duty to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all employees. This includes ensuring all equipment is safe to use.

The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 also place a legal responsibility on employers (or ‘duty holders’) to ensure electrical equipment does not pose any risk to users.

Failure to comply with either of these could result in fines and legal action.

PAT tests are a simple, cost-effective way to meet your legal obligations, protect your business and keep your employees safe.

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What equipment needs testing?

Common portable electrical equipment includes laptops, desktop computers, drills, kettles, heaters, fans, lamps, microwaves, toasters, radios, TVs, projectors, printers, hair dryers, extension leads, multi-way adaptors, connector leads and mobile phone charging equipment. Larger equipment like fridges, photocopiers, water coolers, vending machines, washing machines and cookers are also included.

Portable electrical equipment falls into two categories, Class I and Class II, depending on the type of protection they offer the user. Both require PAT tests to ensure safety is maintained but are tested in different ways.

 

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What is carried out during pat testing?

The Health & Safety Executive advises that PAT testing should include three steps. User checks, a formal visual inspection and the manual PAT test using a portable appliance tester.

 

This should only be carried out by a competent engineer. The PAT tester will carry out a visual inspection, as well as a manual electrical examination using PAT tester device

This will test the appliance for earth continuity, lead polarity and insultation resistance, amongst other things, and will show if it has passed or failed the PAT test. The appliance will then receive a pass or fail.