Frequently Asked Questions

 Electrical safety testing, portable appliance testing is a process in the United Kingdom, by which electrical appliances are routinely checked for safety.

Many insurance companies require the insured to comply with all current regulations. This includes the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, which state that "As may be necessary to prevent danger, all systems shall be maintained so as to prevent, so far as reasonably practicable, such danger" (Regulation 4(2)). "Electrical equipment includes anything used, intended to be used or installed for use, to generate, provide, transmit, transform, rectify, convert, conduct, distribute, control, store, measure or use electrical energy." (Regulation 2(1)).The responsibility of the employer to ensure work equipment is safe is also covered by The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. This states that "Every employer shall ensure that work equipment is so constructed or adapted as to be suitable for the purpose for which it is used or provided." (Regulation 4(1)). This includes all work equipment (fixed, portable, or transportable) connected to a source of electrical energy."Failure to comply with Electrical Regulations can lead to a maximum penalty of a £5,000 fine and/or up-to six months imprisonment. For breaches under the general duties of the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, penalties of up to £20,000 were introduced in 1992 and offenses heard on indictment in the Crown Court attract unlimited financial penalties and up to two years imprisonment.

A visual inspection checking for: Damaged flexes, Damaged plugs and equipment (overheating, burn marks, discoloration), Correctly wired plugs, Correctly rated fuse. An electrical safety test is then executed using a PAT testing machine which depending on the class of equipment will test for; Earth continuity testing, Insulation resistance, Polarity test, Earth leakage test.

Any electrical appliance in which can be plugged into a mains socket via any adapter necessary. The IET Code of Practice for In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment states that this Code of Practice covers: 

Portable Appliances: 

An appliance of less than 18 kg in mass that is intended to be moved while in operation or an appliance which can easily be moved from one place to another, e.g. toaster, food mixer, vacuum cleaner, fan heater. 

Movable Appliances: 

An Appliance of 18 kg or less in mass and not fixed, e.g. electric fire, or equipment with wheels, castors or other means to facilitate movement by the operator as required to perform its intended use, e.g. air conditioning unit. 

Hand-held Appliances: 

This is portable equipment intended to be held in the hand during normal use, e.g. hairdryer, drill, soldering iron.Stationary Equipment or Appliances.

Frequency of testing depends on the type of equipment and the environment in which it is used. The frequencies are based on the guidelines by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), Institution of Engineering & Technology (IET) in which we recommend that PAT testing occurs annually. With construction sites being every 3 months.