Why do I need to have my appliances tested?

The current law requires that all employers and landlords maintain portable appliances and ensure their safety. This is done through testing of the appliances to safeguard against damage and to make certain that these items perform properly.

The best way of ensuring that your appliances are safe is to have a PAT test carried out on them. This is a good way as a landlord or employer to ensure that you are meeting legal obligations to maintain high standards of electrical safety in their rented property or workplace.

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.

What does it involve?

To establish the safety and suitability of your electrical appliances, a competent person will carry out a visual inspection of the appliance, its plug and lead. They will also carry out an insulation resistance test and an earth leakage on the cables to check their integrity.

The visual inspection for all classes of equipment include

Check the supply socket for signs of overheating or damage.

Examining the plug for any signs of damage, bent pins, it’s maximum load rating, proper retention of the cable and that the correct fuse is fitted.  For moulded plugs this will involve removing and refitting the fuse.  For non-moulded plugs, the top will be removed, the fuse checked, the cable grip checked and all connections checked for looseness or exposed wire strands.

Examination of the cable over it’s entire length looking for signs of unacceptable damage. For long extension leads this will involve unwinding the whole length.

Examination of the equipment for any signs of damage that could affect the electrical safety.

Following a visual inspection the following tests will be carried out:

An automatic test, that tests insulation resistance and earth leakage, dependent on the class of the item.

Simple function test to make sure the appliance is working satisfactorily.