According to the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, all electrical equipment in a building, such as fixed wiring systems and portable appliances, must be appropriately maintained and regularly checked in order to ensure occupants and users remain safe.
But while a registered electrician should perform periodic inspection testing, which looks at fixed installations that conduct electricity around a building, any competent individual with the appropriate knowledge and training can carry out PAT testing.
This is where the teams PAT & mains electrical testing knowledge at Instrotech can help. With its PAT training course, anyone can learn to inspect and test electrical appliances for the purposes of safety and compliance.
What is PAT testing?
PAT or Portable Appliance Testing is the inspection and test of any portable or handheld electrical equipment, which features a mains plug, to ensure its safe for use. The main types of equipment are defined as follows:
Class 1 Equipment
Appliances with an earth. Any conductive parts are connected to an earth wire to make sure that if the appliance has a fault, the current will be carried to the earth instead of the operator.
Class 11 Equipment
Appliances with double insulation. The supplementary insulation ensures that there are no exposed conductive parts on the outside of the appliance.
Why should you perform PAT testing?
Despite the fact PAT testing is not a legal obligation, there are various pieces of legislation that recommend it in regards to the use and maintenance of electrical equipment. Furthermore, it can prevent injury or death from faulty appliances. Legal requirements that cover PAT testing include:
- Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
- Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
- Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998
- Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
- Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992
- The Housing Act 2004 (England and Wales)
- The Housing (Scotland) Act 2006
- The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994
- Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment Regulations 2006 (WEEE directive)
Who can carry out PAT testing?
The requirement for the person carrying out PAT testing is defined in the IEE Code of Practice as follows:
“The test operative should be competent to inspect and test an item of equipment and, based on the results and upon conditions in which it is being used, state that the equipment is safe or otherwise for continued use. Training and experience will both be necessary.”
Where can you receive training and gain experience?
Instrotech’s comprehensive one-day PAT training course covers the following key subjects:
- The need to PAT test
- Who is responsible
- A risk based approach
- Different classes of appliances and which should be tested
- Calculating the frequency of inspections and tests
- What tests need to be carried out and the process for each
- How to interpret the test results
- Maintaining accurate records
The course also includes a practical session under the supervision of a trainer. This features a range of both 240V and 110V appliances, which you will either a pass or fail. Upon completion, you will be given a copy of the Martindale Illustrated Guide to PAT Testing and a certificate.
For more information or to book, get in touch with Instrotech today.
