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What is Pat Testing?
Portable Appliance Testing / Pat Testing is a highly regulated programme of
inspections and tests to check the electrical safety of all portable electrical
equipment regularly so that dangerous faults can be corrected before they cause
any injury.
What needs Pat Testing?
Any equipment which connects to single-phase electrical mains supplied by a
flexible cable and plug or which plugs into an adaptor supplied from plug.
What will happen if I don’t get my appliances tested?
Failure to comply with the Electrical Regulations may constitute a criminal
offence under the Consumer Protection Act 1987, which carries a maximum penalty
on summery conviction of a £5,000 fine and/or 6 months imprisonment which
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could follow any investigation after any incident. Also if you do not have your
appliances tested then you run the risk of fire or injury or even death of your
employees, visitors and yourself. There are around 30 deaths each year and 170
serious injuries caused by faulty equipment which could be easily avoided if a
strict programme of testing was carried out.
Who will know if I decide to save
some money and not have my appliances tested?
You will Know, and if you decide to save some money then you are putting
everyone that enters your building or uses your equipment at serious risk of
injury. You will also increase the risk of fire on your premises, and if that
happens then your business will be no more as all your business insurances will
be null and void.
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If I only have three employees do I still need to have my appliances tested?
You are required to have all your appliances tested even if you are the only
person working in your business premises.
I have been told that if I do not have our office equipment tested then my
Insurance may be null and void?
Most business insurers will only insure a business if they are PAT tested. If
you do not have a up to date PAT test programme in place then you may not be
insured if an accident occurs. You will need to check with your insurance
provider in regards to this.
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Some examples of equipment that requires
PAT testing
PAT Testing for
Power Tools including Drills, Grinders, Tile Cutters and Cordless Power Tools
PAT Testing for
Fax Machines, Telephones, Mobile Phone Chargers
PAT Testing for
Laptops, Personal Computers,
Monitors, Network Switches, Servers,
IEC Leads
Monitors, Network Switches, Servers,
IEC Leads
PAT Testing for
Toasters, Microwaves, Blenders, Fridge Freezers
PAT Testing for
Kettles, Hand Blenders, Food Mixers, Dishwashers
PAT Testing for
Hairdryers, Irons, Hair Straighteners, tongs, power leads
