| Portable Appliance Testing (PAT testing) is an | | | | necessary to perform its intended use, e.g. an air |
| important part of an organization or individual's duty to | | | | conditioning unit. |
| health and safety. This is done by means of a number | | | | Hand-held Gear: |
| of specialized testing tasks on your portable | | | | This is easily moved piece of gear intended to be held |
| appliances. | | | | in the hand during ordinary use, e.g. paint stripper, |
| Many individuals ask if Portable Appliance Testing is a | | | | grinder, engraver |
| legal obligation? | | | | Stationary Equipment or Appliances: |
| The answer is a negative, although, it is a statutory | | | | This gear has a mass greater than 18 kg and does not |
| obligation and a lot of insurance brokers require the | | | | have a carrying handle, e.g. refrigerator, washing |
| insured to meet the terms of all up to date regulations. | | | | machine. |
| This includes the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, | | | | Fixed Equipment/Appliances: |
| which state that "As may be necessary to prevent | | | | This is gear of an appliance, which is fastened to a |
| danger, all systems shall be maintained so as to | | | | support or otherwise fixed in a specified location, e.g. |
| prevent, so far as reasonably practicable, such | | | | bathroom heater, towel rail, domestic air conditioning. |
| danger" (Regulation 4(2)). "Electrical equipment includes | | | | Appliances/Equipment for fixing in: |
| anything used, intended to be used or installed for use, | | | | This gear is intended to be fixed in a ready made |
| to generate, provide, transmit, transform, rectify, | | | | recess such as a cupboard or similar. In general, gear |
| convert, conduct, distribute, control, store, measure or | | | | for fixing in does not have an enclosure on all sides |
| use electrical energy." (Regulation 2(1)). | | | | because on one or more of the sides, extra protection |
| Employer responsibility is also stated by The Provision | | | | against electric shock is provided by the surroundings |
| and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. This | | | | e.g. a built-in electric cooker. |
| says that "Every employer shall ensure that work | | | | Information Technology Equipment (Business |
| equipment is so constructed or adapted as to be | | | | Equipment): |
| suitable for the purpose for which it is used or | | | | IT gear includes electrical business gear such as PC |
| provided." (Regulation 4(1)). This includes all work | | | | and mains supplied phone gear, and other gear for |
| equipment (fixed, portable or transportable) connected | | | | normal business use, such as mail processing |
| to a source of electrical energy." | | | | machines, electric plotters, trimmers, VDUs, data |
| What does PAT testing involve? You might ask. A lot | | | | terminal equipment, typewriters, telephones, printers, |
| of PAT testing businesses will begin with a visual | | | | photo-copiers, power packs. |
| examination looking for: | | | | Extension Leads: |
| · Damaged flexes | | | | The use of extension leads should be avoided where |
| · Damaged plugs and gear (overheating, | | | | possible]. If used, they should be tested as portable |
| scorch marks, discoloration) | | | | appliances. It is recommended that 3-core cables |
| · Correctly wired plugs | | | | (including a protective earthing conductor) be used. |
| · Correctly rated fuse | | | | A standard 13 A 3-pin extension socket-outlet with a |
| Then a series of tests (which is reliant on the type of | | | | 2-core wire should not be used even if the gear to be |
| gear), they might contain: | | | | used is Class II, as it would not provide protection |
| · Earth continuity testing | | | | against electrical shock if used at any moment with an |
| · Insulation resistance | | | | item of Class I gear. |
| · Polarity test | | | | The length of an extension cable for normal use |
| · Earth leakage test | | | | should not go beyond the following: |
| The gear tested by a PAT testing business are simply, | | | | - Core Area Longest Length |
| any sort of gear, which is supplied by electrical energy. | | | | - 1.25mm2 12 meters |
| The IET Code of Practice for In-Service Inspection and | | | | - 1.5mm2 15 meters |
| Testing of Electrical Equipment says that this Code of | | | | - 2.5mm2 25 meters |
| Practice includes: | | | | - 2.5mm2 leads are too big for standard 13 A plugs, |
| Portable Appliances: | | | | but they might be used in conjunction with BS EN |
| An appliance of under 18 kg in weight that is intended | | | | 60309 industrial plugs. |
| to be moved while in use or an appliance which can | | | | These maximum lengths are not relevant to the lead |
| simply be moved from one place to another, e.g. kettle, | | | | of an appliance, for instructions refer to paragraph 15.13 |
| food processor, vacuum cleaner, fan heater. | | | | (IEE Code of Practice for In-Service Inspection and |
| Movable Equipment (sometimes termed | | | | Testing of Electrical Equipment). |
| Transportable): | | | | If extension cable lengths do exceed the above, they |
| This is gear, which is either: 18 kg or less in weight and | | | | shall be protected by a 30 mA RCD manufactured to |
| not fixed, e.g. electric fire, or gear with wheels, castors | | | | BS 7071. |
| or other things to assist movement by the operator as | | | | |
