Portable Appliance Testing

pat testing sheffield, pat testing yorkshire, pat testing term contractsOur competent experienced electrical engineers each qualified with a minimum of City & Guilds 2377 in electrical equipment maintenance, inspection and testing, will implement a maintenance programme for you.

We use the latest software and top of the range PAT testing equipment from Megger which is calibrated and checked for accuracy on a regular basis so you can be confident that your equipment is safe to use.

We are fully conversed with the latest electrical legislation and are on hand to advise you on these matters, giving you piece of mind that all necessary measures have been implemented thus preventing any danger to personnel. The test results can be uploaded to our unique Overview system online giving you instant access to your equipment results.

Why is it necessary to maintain electrical equipment?

Electric shock can kill or seriously injure. This is one of the hazards that electrical safety legislation is intended to protect against. Many serious shocks occur when the current flow is from hand to hand, because the route the current takes is through or close to the heart. The Law
Electrical equipment is required to be properly maintained to prevent danger.

Regular inspections are necessary and testing may also be required. The legislation relevant to electrical maintenance for every employer is:

  • Health and Safety at Work 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.

The Electricity at Work Regulations requires, in Regulation 4 (2), that:
As may be necessary to prevent danger, all systems shall be maintained so as to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, such danger.
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 state:
Every employer shall make a suitable and sufficient assessment of:
(a). The risks to the health and safety of his employees to which they are exposed while they are at work.
(b). The risks to the health and safety of persons not in his employment arising out of or in connection with the conduct by him of his undertaking (Regulation 3 (1)).
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 state:
Every employer shall ensure that work equipment is so constructed or adapted as to be suitable for the purpose for which it is used or provided (Regulation 4(1)).
Every employer shall ensure that work equipment is maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair.

Who is responsible?

  • Users of electrical equipment.
  • Duty-holders with responsibility for electrical maintenance.
  • Competent person carrying out the formal visual inspection and tests.
  • The overall responsibility will be with Management and Company Directors for the safety of electrical equipment and the maintenance programme.

What should be maintained?

All electrical systems and equipment should be maintained if danger would otherwise arise.
The fixed installation, which is considered to be the installation from the meter point to the socket-outlet, or fuse connection unit is not cover by a Pat Test this is tested using a periodic inspection and test carried to ensure its satisfactory condition for continued use by BS7671 IET wiring Regulations. Click here to view fixed wiring inspection and testing.

The electrical equipment in an installation is checked for safety by a conducting Pat Test, whether permanently connected or connected by a plug and socket-outlet should be inspected and tested in accordance with the recommendations contained in the IET Code of Practice. The equipment covered by the IET Code of Practice includes equipment construction classifications Class l, Class ll and Class lll such as follows:

  • Portable appliances or equipment.
  • Movable appliances or equipment.
  • Stationary appliances or equipment.
  • Hand-held appliances or equipment.
  • Built-in appliances or equipment.
  • IT Equipment.
  • Extension leads, multiway adaptors including those with built in RCD’s.
  • Equipment with high protective conductor currents.
  • Surge protective devices (SPDs).

How often should the tests be carried out?

It is the responsibility of the duty-holder e.g. facility manager, building manager company director to carry out a risk assessment to evaluate the potential risk of using electrical equipment to prevent loss, damage or injury in the workplace. A duty-holder may enlist the services of a competent person from CS Electrical to assist in this process. The frequency of tests is most commonly conducted on an annual basis on all equipment as this makes it easier for the duty-holder to keep their records updated knowing that all his equipment has been inspected and tested. However the following factors have to be considered before conducting a risk assessment.

  • The environment.
  • The users.
  • The equipments construction.
  • The equipments type.
  • The frequency of use.
  • The type of installation methods.
  • Previous records (if any?).

Remember: It is the duty holder’s responsibility to ensure that competent persons carry out the inspection and testing of electrical equipment correctly, using CS Electrical will ensure that your equipment is safe for use giving you piece of mind.

For help with your Portable Appliance Testing get in touch today