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Why Electrical Equipment Testing (formerly known as Portable Appliance Testing) is essential
PAT Testing is one of the most effective ways of minimising electrical risks from faulty appliances to you, your staff and any visitors to your premises. It also enables duty holders to fulfil key Health and Safety Regulations. In 2020, the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) published their 5th edition of the Code of Practice which places a greater emphasis on the inclusion of all electrical equipment rather than solely portable appliances. Going forward, it is expected that the terminology will change from Portable Appliance Testing to Electrical Equipment Testing. For ease, ACtest will continue to use PAT testing as an interchangeable term for Electrical Equipment Testing until the new terminology is more commonplace.
Here are some key Health and Safety Work Regulations:
If you do not undertake regular electrical safety inspections, such as PAT Testing, then you leave yourself or your business open to a myriad of possible implications, should an incident occur. For example, if it is proven that you did not undertake a recognised form of preventative maintenance which resulted in subsequent injury or death, this could lead to prosecution from the Health and Safety Executive or employee/visitor injury claims; and your business insurance could be rendered invalid if it is proven that appropriate steps were not taken to adhere to Health and Safety regulations.
If you already know exactly what PAT Testing is, then the rest of this section might be a bit boring for you.
What needs Electrical Equipment Testing?
Electrical equipment testing includes the following items: machines, measuring instruments, accessories, appliances and luminaires, etc. The scope of the electrical testing will be dependent on the demands and needs of the client.
To keep your business and your employees safe, it’s essential that you regularly test your portable appliances. Unfortunately – with some companies – testing your portable appliances can be highly disruptive to your business. Thankfully, ACtest has many years of experience and we can provide you with Electrical Equipment testing (formerly known as PAT testing) with the absolute minimum disruption to your business.
Our electricians will carry out all of the required tests and checks needed, and we do so with respect for the fact that you have a business to run. Call us today for a speedy, professional and environmentally-friendly PAT service.
Why do I need to bother with PAT Testing at all?
PAT Testing has been systemically carried out in the UK since the 1990s because it is seen as an effective way of minimising electrical risks in the workplace and assists organisations and individuals in following certain Health and Safety Regulations, such as The Electricity at Work Act (1989) and the UK Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (1998). By having a planned system of inspection, you are more likely to ‘nip potential electrical problems in the bud’ because electrical systems and equipment left unchecked are likely to degrade which could lead to your undoing – both financially and in terms of health and safety legislation.
What we do, will benefit you!
Safety is of paramount importance to us and we don’t just do the bare minimum. We deliver high standards of testing at excellent value for money because we go above and beyond in terms of testing and customer service which makes us rather unique within our industry. For example, we will remove plug covers (where applicable) to check that a fuse is being used and is of the correct type; that terminal screws are tight (common cause of fires), etc.; and we carry out the visual checks and testing with our machines in accordance with the IEE (The Institute of Electrical Engineers) Code of Practice (3rd edition). To find out more about what our clients have been saying about us, please click testimonials.
Our PAT Testing service
If you would like a PAT Testing quotation, please fill in the quick quote. As the next step in your electrical maintenance, take a look at Electrical Inspection and Testing (EICR) as it is important to ensure that the fixed wiring of your installation is maintained and meets the required legislation.
In terms of putting this in real context, we regularly assist people who are looking to buy new properties and want to check the electrics out before signing on the dotted line and we help companies to be compliant or need to have a Periodic Inspection Report for insurance purposes. Also, if you are a business owner in the process of changing your business premises, it is advisable to ensure that a Periodic Inspection Report has been carried out before even considering the exchange of contracts! After all, you don’t want to spend substantial money on a business premises, only to find that it is electrically dangerous, even before you move in!