The ultimate guide to Portable Appliance Testing

What is portable appliance testing?

Portable appliance testing, or PAT testing, ensures electrical safety in the workplace. PAT testing is a legal rule, as the law states that any electrical equipment in the workplace must be maintained to reduce danger. The PAT testing process involves the inspection of electrical appliances to ensure they work. Even the slightest errors and faults in electrical appliances can cause significant consequences. Thus, there is a need for portable appliance tests to prevent such accidents.

Conducting regular PAT testing ensures workplace safety and prevents accidents. Prevention from workplace accidents is a primary concern, as it brings a lot of harmful consequences to the firm. Additionally, failing to meet a safe workplace accident would result in fines and penalties from the government. Thus, we can conclude that PAT testing is an essential aspect of maintaining a safe workplace.

What requires the PAT test?

Here are some of the appliances in a workplace that may need PAT tests:

• Computers, Laptops, and other IT equipment
• Printer and photocopier
• Kettles, toasters, and other kitchen appliances
• Power tools and machinery
• Extension cords and plug-in adapters
• Vacuum cleaners and other cleaning equipment
• Hairdryers and other personal grooming appliances
• Audio-visual equipment such as projectors and speakers

Class I appliances like kettles and power tools should be tested every 12 months. Meanwhile, Class II appliances, such as computers and printers, should be tested every 24 months. Different classes separate these appliances.

Importance of PAT testing

• Ensures safety: The primary role of PAT testing is to ensure that electrical appliances are safe for use. Maintenance of electrical appliances can create a safer workplace environment by reducing the risk of accidents. PAT testing also helps in identifying faulty devices. Employers can replace or repair these appliances before they are needed.
• Compliance with regulations: The law states that a firm must maintain electrical equipment in a workplace. However, no guidelines exist on how frequently a PAT test should be conducted. Additionally, the government states that it is mandatory to create a safe workplace. Accidents in the workplace occur when a business fails to maintain a safer workplace. Thus, the government can punish the company with various financial fines and restrictions in this case. Therefore, we can understand why following regulations and maintaining a safer workplace is crucial.
• Protecting property: Workplace accidents such as fires from electrical failure can harm the business and its property. In case of a fire event, the equipment in the workplace and the property are severely damaged. By properly conducting PAT tests, employers can reduce the risk of accidents and ultimately protect their property.
• Reducing downtime: When electrical equipment fails, it can cause downtime. The appliance will not be available for use in case of a fault or defect. Thus, it would need a repair or replacement, causing downtime. This downtime causes a significant impact on productivity depending on the importance of the machine. If the device plays a vital role in a firm's productivity, the rest will have a more significant impact. Causing the business to bear the extra cost and loss in productivity.
• Peace of mind: The PAT testing will provide peace of mind, as the workers will be sure that the machines being used are safe and do not have a fault. A peace of mind environment helps improve the trust between workers and employers.

Do I need to do PAT testing?

In general, any workplace that uses electrical appliances requires PAT testing. Here are some of the workplaces that should perform PAT testing:

• Offices
• Shops and retail outlets
• Hotels and guesthouses
• Schools and universities
• Hospitals and healthcare facilities
• Construction sites
• Industrial and manufacturing plants
• Gyms
• Theatres and cinemas

The decision to carry out a PAT test depends on the risks and hazards present at the workplace. A workplace that has more usage of electrical appliances will put a higher priority on PAT testing than one which has fewer electrical appliances.

Who is responsible for PAT testing?

Generally, the responsibility of conducting the PAT tests falls on the shoulders of the employers or the head of duty. In most cases, it is the primary responsibility of an employer as he has the upper hand and commands. Employers may delegate this responsibility to a competent person, such as an electrician or a professional. The role of employees in such cases can be to report any faults or errors they have found in the electrical equipment.

How to perform a PAT test?

Any competent person, such as employers or maintenance professionals, can perform a PAT test with expertise in handling and maintaining electrical equipment. But, it is a must that individuals performing PAT tests should have a basic understanding of the process. Taking a PAT testing course is an easy solution to prepare yourself for conducting a PAT test. Whether you are an employer or a professional, these courses will provide an overview of the primary and essential steps of performing a PAT test. Having too much information is always a good thing. So, no matter how professional or expertise you have in a particular work, it is always beneficial to learn more about it.

Record keeping

Record keeping is an essential aspect of portable appliance testing. Record keeping in PAT testing refers to keeping track of all the faulty electrical equipment. Keeping a record would help employers or professionals to keep track of when was the last time the PAT test was conducted, which appliances were tested, who carried out the tests, and the result of the PAT test. A proper track record would help identify trends or faults requiring further investigation. In short, record keeping makes it easier to remember the PAT testing time track and helps maintain a safe workplace.

PAT testing processes

Several types of Portable appliance testing processes can be used to test electrical appliances. The most common types of PAT testing processes include:

·         Visual inspection

This PAT testing method involves a thorough visual examination of the appliances, including the power cord, plug, and casing. The inspector looks for damage or wear and tear that may indicate the machine is unsafe. Visual inspection is usually the first step in the PAT testing process.

·         Earth continuity testing

Earth wire plays an essential role in case of a fault in the machine. The electricity can flow through the wire to the earth. Ensuring the safety of a person using that specific appliance, as a proper earth connection, would save him from an electric shock. This involves checking the earth connection of the appliance. This test requires passing a low-level current through the earth connection and measuring the resistance.

·         Insulation resistance checking

Identifying whether the machine's insulation is working or has a fault. As the name suggests, this method requires the insulation checking of the appliance. For this test, a high voltage is passed through the machine and measured the resistance. A low resisting reading on the scale shows that the insulation is faulty.

·         Polarity testing

This test involves checking the appliance's wire to ensure it is connected. Also, check whether the live and neutral cables reach their correct terminal.

·         Functional testing

This method is to use to check whether the machine works. Turning the appliance on and carrying out the designated task ensures the device works when required. Doing functional testing prevents downtime, which is the period from when the machine is faulty to when it's repaired.

·         Load testing

Load test equipment tests electrical appliances that consume a lot of power. Such examples are heaters or fridges. It is essential to check this equipment to ensure they are not overheating, which can lead to malfunctioning.

PAT testing for different environments

The level of PAT testing differs from different types of workplaces. An office will require a lower level of PAT testing than a construction site which would require a more thorough level of PAT testing.

In a construction site, the electrical appliances are exposed to extreme conditions, including dust, moisture, and vibrations. These factors cause electrical appliances to deteriorate faster, increasing the risk of electrical hazards. As a result, a firm needs to conduct thorough and regular PAT tests on such working sites. Some PAT testing equipment used in such workplaces is insulation resistance testers and earth leakage clamp meters, which can identify potential faults and defects.

An office environment will need less PAT testing compared to a harsh environment. Although to many, the office environment may look like it is at a lower risk level, it is still essential to conduct PAT tests. Visual inspection can be a regular PAT testing method used in an office environment. Continued by electrical tests such as earth continuity, insulation, resistance, and polarity tests.

How often a PAT test is needed?

Well, there are no specific requirements of PAT testing stated by the law. But, it is solely down to the hands of the duty holder or the employer to decide how often a PAT test would be required. Also, it depends on the working environment. As stated above, a harsh environment like a construction site would need more frequent PAT tests than a soft environment like an office.

One example would be that a drill used at a construction site would require more PAT tests than a vacuum cleaner in an office.

What is 'portable electrical equipment'?

This refers to appliances that can be moved, connected, or disconnected from an electrical supply. Common types of portable electrical equipment include laptops, drills, kettles, microwaves, fridges, photocopiers, vending and washing machines.

Portable electrical equipment falls into classes I and II, depending on the protection type they offer. Both styles require PAT tests to ensure safety, but their PAT testing method can vary.

Classes of electrical equipment

In electrical safety, electrical equipment is classified as either "Class I" or "Class II." Class I equipment has a single layer of insulation between the live parts. It requires an earth connection for protection from electrical shocks. The most used Class I equipment are kettles, toasters, and power tools.

Class II, on the other hand, is equipped with double insulation and does not need an earth connection. Most commonly known Class II electrical appliances are lamps, hair dryers, and other electronic devices.

Class II appliances are usually preferred when there is a higher risk of electrical shocks, or an earth connection is impossible. But still, it is essential to note that no matter what class of equipment you are using, they all are subjected to PAT tests to ensure they are safe for use.

Benefits from PAT testing

• Ensures the safety of a workplace
• Compliance with regulations
• Prevention from accidents
• Improved employee morale
• Reduced cost and expenses
• Improved safety leads to enhanced productivity

Conclusion

To summarize, Portable appliance testing (PAT) is essential for ensuring workplace safety involving electrical appliances. This blog has provided a comprehensive overview of PAT testing and the information that is relevant and necessary to be known of, especially if you are an employer or a duty holder in a workplace. By considering the information in this blog, employers can install the steps accordingly to create a safe working environment

PAT testing is a crucial aspect of maintaining a safe working environment. Whether the workplace differs from a construction site to an office, all these would need PAT tests as the benefits of PAT testing are significant, which can positively impact both the business and its employees.

In the end, by prioritizing electrical safety through PAT testing, the workplace can ensure the well-being of its employees and protect itself from legal consequences.