How often do I need to have my equipment PAT tested?

Assessing the frequency of testing

The Health & Safety Executive offers no absolute rules on the frequency of the testing and inspection of portable appliances. The Memorandum of Guidance on the Electricity at Work Regulations suggests that "regular inspection of equipment is an essential part of any preventative maintenance program", but no attempt is made to specify the intervals of time implied by the word "regular". The reason for this omission is obvious; different situations require different measures in order to meet the requirement that the danger is prevented. The factors which effect the frequency of testing must be assessed by the duty holder who thereby makes the judgement.

In arriving at a judgement as to the frequency of testing, a duty holder is likely to assess the following factors:-

1. The environment - equipment installed in a benign environment will suffer less damage than equipment in an arduous environment.

2. Users - if the users report damage as and when it becomes evident, hazards will be avoided. Conversely, if equipment is likely to receive unreported abuse, more frequent inspection and testing is required.

3. The equipment construction - the safety of a Class 1 appliance is dependant upon a connection with earth of the electrical installation. If the flexible cable is damaged the connection with earth can be lost. Safety of Class 2 equipment is not dependent upon the fixed electrical installation.

4. The equipment type - appliances which are hand held are more likely to be damaged than fixed appliances. If they are Class 1 the risk of danger is increased, as the safety is dependant upon the continuity of the protective conductor from the plug to the appliance.

Recommendations

We work with and adhere to the guidance contained within the “Code of Practice for In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment” as published by the Institute of electrical Engineers (The IEE).

The recommendations laid out in the above publication give a very good base from which to work. However as in all cases, each item must be subject to an initial assessment prior to testing and this would include the nature of it's use, environmental factors etc and it is very important to realise that these factors can have an impact on the frequency of which both inspection and testing should be carried out.

For example an electric drill being used daily on a construction site would need to be inspected and tested far more frequently than the same item being used for "DIY" around an Office or Retail setting.

Inspection Periods

The recommended periods for in service inspection and testing of electrical appliances can vary for item to item depending on its use and environment. The table below can be used as a guide.

Note: The periods stated in this table are not mandatory and are included for reference only. You may find some of your equipment is recommended to be tested more frequently due to its use.

 Note

 (1)       S         Stationary Equipment

            IT        Information Technology Equipment

            M         Movable Equipment

            P         Portable Equipment

            H         Hand-held Equipment

(2)      User checks are not recorded unless a fault is found.

(3)      The formal visual inspection may form part of the combined inspection and tests when they coincide, and must be recorded.

(4)      If class of equipment is not known or cannot be identified it must be treated as Class I.

(5)      The results of combined inspections and tests are recorded.

(6)      For some equipment such as children's rides a daily check may be necessary.

 +       By supervisor/teacher/member of staff

 #       110V earthed centre tapped supply.  230V portable or hand-held equipment must be supplied via a 30mA RCD and inspections and tests carried out more frequently.

 Table taken from IEE Code of Practice for In-service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment.

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