In-service inspection and testing of Electrical equipment
Why is it needed? The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require that any electrical equipment that has the potential to cause injury is maintained in a safe condition. Therefore employers and landlords have a responsibility to protect people using their equipment from injury. This can be done by inspection, testing, a risk assessment or a combination of them.
Portable Appliance Testing (PAT)
Portable equipment describes the examination of portable or moveable electrical appliances and equipment. These are typically appliances found in most domestic or commercial properties like printers, monitors and kettles. Previously known as Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) it is now a part of in-service testing.
Fixed equipment Testing
Fixed Equipment is the term used to describe the examination of electrical equipment that has been hard-wired into the mains. These are typically appliances like cookers, heaters or hand driers that cannot be easily unplugged and moved around. We often find that fixed equipment is missed out as the change to include it has been missed. Additionally fixed equipment should only be tested by a qualified electrician so PAT only testers are unable to carry out the testing.
What is the legal requirement?
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require that any electrical equipment that has the potential to cause injury is maintained in a safe condition. However, the Regulations do not specify what needs to be done, by whom or how frequently (ie they don't make inspection or testing of electrical appliances a legal requirement, nor do they make it a legal requirement to undertake this annually).
What is required is that employers or landlords have a system in place to ensure that all electrical systems are maintained, so far as is reasonably practicable, to prevent danger.
What testing is needed?
A relatively brief user check (based upon simple training and perhaps assisted by the use of a brief checklist) can be a very useful part of any electrical maintenance regime.
However, more formal visual inspection and testing by a competent person is likely to be required at appropriate intervals, depending upon the type of equipment and the environment in which it is used.
We can advise you on the level and type of inspection and testing that is appropriate for your business both now and in the future.
How is it done?
It involves a visual inspection of the appliance and its cables, as well as testing the electrical circuits with a PAT testing device. The testing should be done by a qualified electrician or a PAT testing specialist.
How much does it cost?
The cost of Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) can vary depending on the number of appliances that need to be tested and the location of the testing. On average, the cost can range from £1 to £5 per appliance. Fixed appliances cost more as they often take longer to properly inspect as the checks are more involved.