PAT – Portable Appliance Testing Cambridge Heath, E2

What is PAT Testing?

A PAT test is a routine inspection on some types of electrical appliances to ensure they are safe to be used. Its purpose is to prevent electrical accidents in the workplace.

A full PAT test should include both a visual inspection and a more in-depth check using specialist PAT testing equipment. This test covers earth continuity, lead-polarity, as well as insulation resistance checks. Every appliance should be marked “passed” or “failed” at the end of a PAT testing. At that point, you will receive a detailed report on the tests we performed.

 Do I need my appliances tested?

There is currently no strict legal requirement for PAT testing. The Government however has put regulations into place that pertain to the maintenance of electrical appliances and the most effective way to ensure that these regulations are met is through PAT testing.

The UK Health and Safety Executive along with insurance companies will expect you to perform PAT testing to ensure that you are compliant with certain regulations including:

• Health and Safety at Work Act of 1974
• The Electricity at Work Regulations of 1989
• The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations of 1998
• The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations of 1999

Failure to comply with the regulations can lead to fines up to PS5,000 or six months imprisonment. Fines can reach as high as PS20,000, and Crown Court offenses can result in sentences exceeding 2 years imprisonment. So even though PAT testing itself is not legally required, it simply helps you to protect yourself by ensuring that you are complying with these regulations.

It is simply not true to claim that PAT testing is required by law. Clients are breaking the law by refusing to have it done. Employers, whether self-employed or not, must ensure that all electrical equipment used in their business is safe and properly maintained. This means that PAT testing is a critical part of your company’s health and safety and should be considered part of a solution to your safety concerns.

PAT testing provides the most effective way to identify defects that can come with use. Faults in electrical equipment pose a potential hazard, particularly if they are not repaired readily. Even though PAT testing itself is not required by law, the consequences of electrical faults should be considered carefully.

Local PAT Testers