The examination of electrical equipment and electrical appliances to determine whether they are safe for use in the workplace is known as PAT testing, or Portable Appliance Testing.
With a brief visual inspection of the appliance, users can typically identify electrical issues. PAT testing helps to keep users safe and prevents electrical malfunctions that might otherwise go unnoticed because some defects can only be discovered when tested.
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What is PAT testing? And why is it important?
PAT testers should be competent, familiar with PAT testing regulations and procedures, and aware of the potential dangers. Although you are not required to have a specific qualification in order to take a PAT test, you are expected to have completed some kind of training that will provide you with the necessary insight for successfully taking the test.
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Legal Requirements for PAT Testing
There is no specific law that says that you have to test portable appliances as part of your job duties. However, it is still highly recommended to conduct PAT testing on a regular basis because doing so helps you comply with a number of regulations that do specify specific safety standards that must be met.
These are the Electricity at Work Regulations of 1989, the Health and Safety at Work Act of 1974, the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations of 1998, and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations of 1999. These regulations cover a wide range of workplace safety standards, with each section explicitly or implicitly stating that electrical appliances must be maintained to keep employees safe.
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Who is able to conduct PAT testing?
As long as they have completed appropriate training that has provided them with sufficient knowledge and practical experience to be considered competent, anyone can perform PAT testing.
- Someone who understands electrical systems and has practical experience working on the relevant system class.
- Someone who is aware of the potential hazards of working with electronic equipment and can take steps to minimize risk.
- Someone who has sufficient knowledge of electricity.
- Someone who has a good amount of experience working in the electrical industry .
- Someone who is able to recognize the conditions required for safe work to continue.
Someone with good electrical knowledge and training can perform visual inspections and determine whether an appliance is safe to use when testing it in a low-risk environment. An appliance that requires both an inspection and a test will, nevertheless, necessitate the use of an official PAT tester due to the need for specific tools and the ability to operate them.
You will need to complete a PAT tester course in order to obtain certification in PAT testing. This is available from a lot of different companies, but some of them need you to have some electrical experience before you can be an official PAT tester.
What is the cost of PAT testing?
The number of electrical items that need to be tested is primarily what determines the cost of PAT testing. For instance, if you test a large number of products, you may qualify for a discount. This is frequently due to the fact that testing everything at once saves time for the test taker.
It is essential to recognize that there are two primary costs associated with PAT Testing: a one-time, fixed fee for a batch of items, as well as a fee per appliance for each appliance tested and those that need to be fixed or replaced. When creating a budget, it is necessary to take these costs into consideration.
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Let’s take a look at some FAQs regarding PAT testing:
How often should you take the PAT test?
Because different situations necessitate different levels of testing, there are no predetermined guidelines for how frequently equipment should be PAT tested. How frequently the appliance is used, its classification, and whether it frequently sustains damage all have an impact on the frequency with which PAT testing must be performed.
How long does a PAT examination take?
There is no set period of time for which a PAT test certification is considered “valid,” as different appliances require testing after varying intervals. The straightforward rule is that a PAT test’s “safe” status remains in effect until either the appliance is no longer safe to use or until the specified time has passed before another PAT test is required.
Because PAT testing is an important part of the health and safety of electrical devices, there are many opportunities where PAT tester skills are needed. It is a very valuable skill to have because it ensures that any users of portable electrical appliances are kept safe. Whether you are already an electrician who is looking to expand their skill set or an employer or landlord who would like to be able to conduct their own PAT tests, it is essential.
