What is a PAT Test? Your Guide to Portable appliance Testing

Do you have an electrical appliance in your home or shop that seems a bit off? Maybe it usually overheats, sparks, or it just looks unsafe. 

If this is your current situation, you need the portable appliance testing. It is a powerful method for ensuring no electrical risks in the workplace and public settings. This process can avoid any kind of electrical fire through this process due to faulty equipment and ensure safety standards. 

But don’t feel overwhelmed by the process when you have this easiest guide to Electrical Portable Appliance Test (PAT) testing. We have broken down the whole PAT process into small chunks, ranging from what PAT testing is to its detailed procedure. Let’s keep your electronics in top performance and have some peace of mind.

What does PAT Testing mean?

Ever wonder what the “PAT test” is for your electrical appliances? Simply put, testing all electrical equipment to ensure user safety is called Portable Appliance Testing (PAT). It is one vital measure for preventing electrical incidents such as fires, burns, and electric shocks. Once the equipment is PAT tested, you get a certificate. 

The term “PAT testing” might seem specific, but you might also encounter it referred to as “electrical safety testing” or “equipment testing.” Don’t be confused – these terms all describe the same process: ensuring the safety and functionality of portable electrical appliances. This test can be either:

• Visual
• Technical testing

You are not legally bound to perform just the PAT test for the electrics. Instead, you can go for any relevant method with the same purpose. But PAT testing is a reliable and easy process among them. So, it would be beneficial to learn how to do PAT testing according to the IET 5th Edition Code of Practice.

What is an example of a PAT test?

Now, let us understand the PAT test better through a common example. Let us say you are checking a kettle in the office. Accordingly, a professional person will use a PAT tester to carefully examine any kind of damage, especially a fraying main cord wiring.

Then, they will use an electric tool to check how safely the electric is working. They have to ensure the targeted equipment is insulated and wired safely. Doing so removes any chances of causing an electric fire or shock when you use it.

Why do I Need a PAT Test? 

First, you should know that accurate PAT testing involves insulation resistance, earth connection, and correct wiring. Now, here are some reasons stating clearly why PAT is needed:

• Employers have a legal obligation to correct faulty equipment and ensure it is well-maintained, according to the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989.
• PAT is a routine inspection to confirm a safe environment for the users or anyone surrounding them.
• It helps in minimizing the risks of shocks, fires, explosions and other relevant disasters. 

PAT Testing Requirements and Equipment

Generally, a PAT tester is used to automate the testing of the electrics, and an electrical PAT test is not limited to just portable appliances. Instead, you can get different items tested with PAT, such as:

• Any kind of non-portable appliance weighing more than 18 kg.
• Any portable appliance weighing less than 18 kg.
• All devices, whether plugged and fixed or not.
• Office equipment including Photocopiers, computers, and printers. 
• Kitchen electronics such as kettles, refrigerators, and microwaves.
• Power tools used in the industries. 
• Power wires and extension leads. 

PAT Testing Procedures: A Complete Step-by-Step Process

The Act of Provision and Use of Work Equipment mandates every employer to sustain the electrics. You can even do it by learning about the given process of  regular PAT tests:

• A visual checkup to spot any cracks in the main cord or cuts.
• Insulation resistance testing. 
• Checking ground continuity.
• A polarity test for correct wiring.
• Ensuring good functionality. 

How Long Does PAT Testing Take?

The timeframe for PAT testing is around 5 to 10 minutes for a single check. But the PAT test duration varies according to the given factors, and hence, no one knows how long it might take:

• Type of building in high-risk environments.
• A number of faulty appliances. 

Keep Your Home and Business Safe – Get Your PAT Certificate Today!

Landlords and business owners must comply with standard safety rules and ensure people’s safety. Doing so has become easy with a portable appliance test. But you must still keep an eye on updates about ways to keep your electrics in a safe condition. 

If you ever have difficulty understanding the process or need a professional PAT test for the examination of electrical appliances and equipment, don’t hesitate to contact the Nationwide Surveyors. 

FAQs about Portable Appliance Testing

1. What is the purpose of the PAT test?

A PAT test aims to make the environment safe by checking any faults in electric equipment. This is most common in high-risk environments where power-driven tools are used. Experts use PAT testing to ensure there are no electrical risks in any working space.

2. Who can do PAT testing?

Any qualified or expert person can do portable appliance testing.  The reason is that the official regulations don’t limit you to hiring a professional for PAT testing. But we would never recommend you take the PAT test on your own, especially if you are not a tech person.

3. What is the legal requirement for PAT testing?

PAT doesn’t have any specific legal obligations. It is not even essential to just take a PAT test to confirm the safety of using electrical equipment. Instead, you can opt for any method that serves the same purpose because you must provide a safe working environment as an employer according to the Health and Safety at Work etc Act. 

4. How do you PAT test a washing machine?

You can PAT test a washing machine by examining its external parts or looks. Check if it looks damaged or cracked. You need to certify a good condition of its cable and plug as well. For instance, the cable must not be worn, and the switch should not be damaged.

5. What do you mean by the load test for PAT testing?

In simplest terms, the load test for PAT testing means measuring the current load an electrical device is pulling in. It is a simple strategy for checking whether the equipment is faulty or good to use. A benefit of PAT load testing is that a person with basic tech knowledge can use it to ensure the safety of their equipment.

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