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A significant change is a complete review of the frequency of testing, currently exampled in Table 7.1 of the 4th Edition. This table has been removed from the 5th Edition. The majority of these fires are completely preventable, and ensuring electrical equipment is maintained and is safe to use is a key way for businesses to prevent electrical fires. Not only can fires cause loss of life or serious injury, but they can also destroy equipment and premises. The electrical class and category of the item are the two main factors specific to the requirement for PAT testing. Electrical testing should be carried out in accordance with appliance classes, which are outlined in the IET code of practice. This applies to electrical equipment supplied at voltages up to and including 1000V AC or 1500V DC between conductors, or 600V AC or 900V DC between conductors and earth. No. A PAT test can only be carried out by a portable appliance tester. The voltage on a multimeter is too low to be able to carry out the full test required for a PAT test. There is a danger it could ‘pass’ a faulty appliance. It is recommended to use a qualified PAT tester with a professional portable appliance tester designed for the job. Can PAT testing damage your appliances or computers? One of the most common questions we are asked is “how often do I need to do the PAT Testing?”. Without sounding flippant, the simple answer is it is up to you. PAT Testing should be carried out with a ‘risk based approach’. What is meant by that is you know your appliances, staff, work environment and methods better than anyone. It is therefore up to you to decide how much risk there will be from your appliances. You should carry out a Risk Assessment which will help you determine how often the PAT Testing needs to take place in the different areas of your company.
Failed appliances must not be used and should be removed immediately, either to be repaired or replaced. If the item is repaired, it must pass another PAT test before it is safe to use again. Who uses the item? A trained member of staff is a lower risk than an untrained member of the publicOur very own Tim James (PAT Testing Expert) has been on the panel since it was formed, around 2-years ago, and has attended countless meetings, read many drafts and has had direct involvement in all stages of the production. Through Tim, PATTA has been able to stay involved and up to date with every development, and been able to have an input in what needs to be included, what didn’t and what needed to be changed. The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 also place a legal responsibility on employers (or ‘duty holders’) to ensure electrical equipment does not pose any risk to users. This should only be carried out by a competent person with the correct training and equipment. It is strongly recommended to employ an experienced and qualified PAT tester for the safest results. What is the item? Something which is handled e.g. a power tool, would be a higher risk item than a computer on a desk There are no rules around how often your equipment needs a PAT test. It is entirely down to the ‘duty holder’ (the person tasked with responsibility for electrical equipment) to assess the risk level and decide on the frequency of inspections. This is usually determined by the type of equipment, how often it is being used and whether the working environment is considered high risk or low risk.
The classifications for safety are now described as ‘energy source classes’, which is subtly different to the previous methods of description. While to the end-user the changes may be of little consequence in practice, it is important that those performing the inspection and testing of electrical equipment understand the new classifications. PAT tests are recommended for allbusinesses that use portable electrical equipment. This includes office-based businesses, landlords, hotels and restaurants, healthcare settings and construction and manufacturing. Self-employed people should also carry out PAT tests on their business equipment, even in the home. Is PAT testing a legal requirement?
The 5th Edition has been written by author, James Eade; the Portable Appliance Testing Trade Association has been involved directly in the writing of it. However, most workplaces will have staff members or duty holders who are responsible for conducting regular visual inspections of electrical equipment to ensure they are safe. They are also responsible for ensuring annual PAT tests are carried out and recording results. Duty holders should receive additional training to ensure they have the knowledge and understanding to carry out the role competently. What is a PAT test certificate? There is no law which requires detailed records to be kept, although some system of recording what you have tested, and when, is certainly a good idea. Our advice is, as ever, to keep it simple! In many cases, depending on your business, an excercise book with hand written records is perfectly acceptable! PAT testing is essential for businesses in the UK. Ensuring that electrical equipment is properly maintained can help prevent accidents in the workplace. Dorset Fire Protection stated that a quarter of all fires in the workplace are caused by faulty or incorrect use of electrics. This amounts to nearly 6,000 fires every year! This could be as a result of electrical faults or because of electrical equipment being misused. Class one items need a full PAT inspection because they have low insulation and rely on earth for protection. The group typically includes photocopiers, industrial machinery, freezers, toasters, irons, laptop cables, vending machines, desktop computers, phone chargers, and microwaves. Class two appliances, such as lamps, televisions, and lawnmowers, are safer because they are double insulated and need an insulation test. Low voltage appliances such as laptops, torches, and cameras fall under class three and are considered the safest.
When done correctly by a qualified and experienced professional, PAT testing does not cause any damage to electrical equipment.Many people use a simple Microsoft Excel Spreadheet to keep their PAT Testing Records - a sample you can use is here: PAT Testing Records Spreadsheet Computers, printers and faxes were not moved around much and were positioned so that the cables could not become trapped, so the probability that items might be damaged was extremely low. The manager decided that they would be maintained by a visual inspection every 5 years.
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