What is Portable Appliance Testing?

Portable appliance testing, more commonly known as PAT testing is the inspection and testing of portable electrical appliances which includes almost any electrical appliance which has a plug fitted. This includes computers and monitors, power tools such as drills, routers and circular saws, and domestic items such as microwave ovens, vacuum cleaners, toasters and kettles. These items, and many more when used in the workplace or public places need to be regularly checked in order to ensure they are in safe working order, and therefore safe for members of staff and the general public to use.

Pat testing guidelines in the UK requires that all electrical equipment should be tested at regular intervals as all electrical equipment deteriorates over time and through repeated use. High risk appliances such as power tools used in the construction industry should be checked every three months. Most other portable appliances require annual PAT testing and even longer periods for certain appliances in schools, colleges, offices, hotels and shops. Battery operated equipment does not need to be checked, as does many low voltage appliances, those being less than 50 volts AC such as telephones, some desk lights, etc. However, the power cable and plug of any low voltage appliances should be checked as these could become damaged.

You do not need to hire a professional electrician to undertake these tests, as current PAT testing regulations only require a 'competent' person to undertake the examinations. Keeping up to date documentation on the appliances tested if also not a legal requirement. However if you have potentially hundreds of appliances to test, it's worth keeping track of which appliances have been tested, and when they were tested in order to keep abreast of the testing procedure.

Hiring a professional testing engineer to undertake your PAT testing is highly advisable, especially if you are likely to be checking a large number of appliances in a work, leisure or educational environment. An experienced testing engineer will perform the task far quicker than any competent individual, they will keep proper documentation and will apply the 'passed' or red 'failed' labels to every appliance tested. Bearing in mind we live in a blame culture, where even the slightest shock could result in an employer or organisation being sued for damages, having a qualified testing engineer with full documentation of all electrical testing carried out on the premises will put you in a much better position to defend yourself than if you carried out your own tests, with little experience and not keeping records.