Pat Testing Requirements & FAQ’s

PAT testing is often a subject stumbled upon that many people didn’t know about. The requirements of PAT Testing is something we get asked for a lot, so we thought we would put a blog together covering some of the most frequently asked questions we receive.

How often do my appliances have to be tested?

In accordance with the Electricity at Work Regulations (1989) all electrical equipment that has the potential to cause injury is kept in a safe condition. The most effective way of ensuring that these regulations are adhered to is through a program of PAT testing. Furthermore, PAT Testing helps your business comply with the Health and safety at work act, the provision and use of work equipment regulations of (1998) and the management of health and safety at work act (1999).

What does PAT testing involve?

Proper PAT testing can be broken down into three separate activities.

• A visual inspection to look for any superficial damage and poor electrical standards
• A series of tests using specialist equipment, this step is to check for earth continuity, insulation resistance and earth leakage tests.
• A function check would then be carried out, to check that the appliance is in working order

Should I test new equipment?

New equipment should be supplied in a safe condition, when dealing with new equipment, often a simple visual inspection will suffice. If you think that a product may be damaged, carry out a full inspection.

What experience do I need to become a PAT tester?

There is no previous experience needed to become a PAT tester. Many companies send their own employees to training courses so they can become competent PAT testers. If you undertake PAT testing regularly, there will be no need to attend a ‘top up’ course.

How long does PAT Testing take?

Typically, a competent tester can test up anything up top 200 appliances each day, depending on the type of appliance, access to appliances and appliance condition.

How do I know an item has been PAT tested?

PAT Test labels are used to identify the pass/fail rating of the appliance, the test date and who the appliance was tested by. Many PAT testers also choose to log the results as data within a spread sheet.

What happens if an item fails PAT testing?

The first step after identifying a failed appliance is to label it as failed. The item is then taken out of circulation and can either be disposed of or repaired.