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Portable Appliance Testing (PAT Testing)

Portable Appliance Testing, also known as PAT Testing, involves the testing and visual inspection of movable electrical items that are plugged into a power socket within the workplace.

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We maintain the safety of all portable electrical appliances in your premises

The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require that any electrical equipment that has the potential to cause injury, is maintained in a safe condition. To this day, there is no better, more efficient method to ensure that all electrical equipment in your workplace is safe and fit for use.

As well as abiding by the law, you will also need to provide evidence to insurers that your premises is safe and compliant too. This can only be achieved as part of having your Fixed Wire Testing completed by a qualified professional electrical safety expert.

What is it?!

Portable Appliance Testing Explained:

Portable appliance testing (PAT) is the term used to describe the examination of electrical appliances and equipment to ensure they are safe to use.

Most electrical safety defects can be found by visual examination but some types of defect can only be found by testing, following an initial visual inspection.

Any clear signs of wear and tear defects that our engineers encounter whilst conducting PAT Testing shall be captured on camera and appear in the report for your perusal.

Using only the best technology in the business

All onsite engineers use only the best Seaward Apollo 600 PAT Testing equipment.

Our hi-tech Apollo 600 testers enable our teams to capture testing data in bulk and distribute this information onto our Patguard system.

Patguard then stores all site data, with individual codes that can be tracked by ourselves and the client.

Images are also available when highlighting faults that our engineers identify on site.

Look out for one of these!

PAT Testing labels are common around commercial premises, you will often see PAT labels on appliances such as plugs, these are highlighting when they were last tested.

As indicated by the often date of testing, accompanied by the unique barcode which is given to an individual electrical item that will allow the person responsible to track the condition of appliances.

What qualifies as a "portable appliance" that will require PAT Testing?

Portable appliances that may require PAT testing will include any type of equipment that can connect to a fixed installation or a generator. This includes appliances that connect using a cable, socket, or plug.

Any electrical appliances or equipment that are portable will qualify for PAT testing.

If your business uses any appliances that you would not consider portable but are plugged into a power source, these also will need PAT testing. This may include a dishwasher, industrial machinery, or a built-in refrigerator.

As of yet, there are currently no regulations that stipulate which items should be PAT tested. Portable appliances are not necessarily moveable, and this is a common mistake many businesses make when performing PAT tests. Any object or appliance that plugs into a socket should be PAT tested, regardless of its size.

Did you know?

PAT Testing also includes microwave testing,

known as Microwave Leakage Testing

A microwave leakage test is the testing of microwave ovens for microwave radiation leakage.

"PAT Testing itself is not a legal requirement, so why do I need it?"

This is a really good question, allow us to explain...

PAT Testing allows you to comply with the law that states that all electrical equipment that is provided by your business must be maintained to a safe standard.

First and foremost, PAT Testing is the best method to safeguard all visitors and the workforce from electrical harm caused by faulty electrical equipment.

Protecting your building and the people within it, PAT Testing plays an important role in not just protecting occupants, but also protecting the building from electrical hazard too.

Remember...

Portable appliances may often be small, but if not properly tested to ensure that they are safe for use, they have just as much threat to your premises as your fixed installations.