What is Portable Appliance Testing?

The 'Inspection and Testing of In-Service Electrical Equipment' (often referred to as Portable Appliance Testing or PAT), was introduced to empower companies and organisations in their compliance with the Electricity at Work Regulations. Other legislation of specific relevance to electrical appliance maintenance, includes the Health & Safety at Work Act of 1974, the Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations of 1999, the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations of 1992, and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations of 1998.

StormPAT delivers a high quality service to a number of clients, and we pride ourselves with the quality of work we complete. At StormPAT, we take all the necessary steps needed to ensure quality in our testing procedures.

Why is there the need to test electrical appliances for faults?

Electricity has considerable potential to cause serious injury or even kill. Employers have a common duty of staff care, making them ultimately responsible for ensuring electrical equipment in the workplace is safe, regularly inspected, tested and maintained, in line with current legislation and work practices.

Failure to action an appropriate inspection and testing/maintenance program can result in serious injury or death to any employee or visitor to the premises, and from this you also risk serious legal and financial repercussions. By complying with current legislative requirements and expectations, you are empowering a safety standard that will be recognised by employees and visitors to your organisation.

StormPAT will perform risk assessments, inspections and testing of your (portable) electrical appliances in accordance with the various regulatory requirements that exist throughout the UK.

So what exactly are the legislative requirements here?

The Health & Safety in Employment Act 1992 requires electrical appliances and systems to be maintained in a safe condition to prevent risk of accident or death in the workplace. It is recommended that such maintenance should be based on a programme of regular inspection, testing and competent maintenance. In addition to being responsible for the safety of your own portable appliances, you are also responsible for the safety of electrical equipment brought on site by employees, contractors and third parties.

The majority of electrical accidents in the UK involve equipment that has become defective due to defective insulation or general insulation failure, inadequate earth connections, incorrect over-current protection (fuses, breakers etc.) and/or faulty wiring.

StormPAT ensures that each and every appliance is comprehensively tested to meet the exacting requirements of the IEE code of practice. We use the latest, computerised PAT equipment and all testing will be carried out by a fully qualified electrical testing technician.

What exactly are the benefits of testing?

There are a number of benefits associated with testing your electrical equipment against faults and damages. Perhaps some of the key benefits are: increased safety for employees and third parties; reduced insurance premiums; decrease in liability.

What appliances need to be tested?

Everything powered by mains electricity (230 or 110V) needs to be inspected and tested at regular intervals agreed by you. It is a legal requirement for all employers that you express an active interest in ensuring and maintaining the safety of your electrical equipment within the workplace. Click here for further information.

How often do the portable electrical appliances need to be tested?

By and large, that depends on the type of equipment, and the abuse to which it is subjected. The frequency of inspection and testing required will vary depending on the type of appliance, its location, and its use. Guidelines are provided in the Code of Practice for In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment” published by the Institution of Electrical Engineers (IEE). These are only guidelines however, and must be interpreted with due regard to your own business.

What exactly do the tests entail?

The testing of portable electrical appliances in the workplace consists of two separate processes: firstly, a general visual inspection to ascertain the level of damage (if any) and substandard electrical standards and secondly; a series of instrument tests to check for less obvious electrical faults and partial damage.