Portable Appliance Testing

We will beat any like for like quote from your previous PAT testers, contact us Now to discuss it.

 

What is a portable appliance?

A portable appliance is simply an item of electrical equipment, which is connected to
the power supply by means of a plug and socket.

 

 

Why you need portable appliances tested
There are a number of reasons why appliances should be tested on a regular basis,
but the most important ones are:-
1. To comply with The Electricity at Work Regulations
2. To comply with the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations
3. To minimise the risk of fire and injury caused by electrical appliances
4. To satisfy your Insurance Company.
5. To comply with all Health & Safety requirements and ISO standards
6. Quality Assurances also requires you to comply.

Also, one of the first things Fire Officers and Health & Safety Inspectors usually ask to
see on any inspection visit is PAT records.

What it involves
There are two parts to portable appliance testing. A formal visual inspection and electrical
testing.

The formal visual inspection is the most important component of a regular maintenance
regime because the majority of potentially dangerous faults can be picked up
by such inspections.

The following items are inspected:-

• The lead
Is it in good condition?
Is it free from cuts, fraying and damage?
Is it too long or too short?
Are there any hand-made or taped joints?
Is the cable secure where it enters the plug?

• The appliance
Is it working?
Does it switch on and off properly?
Is there any damage to the external casing?

• The plug
Are the cable terminations secure and correct?
is the cord grip effective?
is the correct fuse fitted?
are there any signs of internal damage, overheating or ingress of liquid or foreign matter?

• General
Is the piece of equipment suitable for the work,
the environment and method of use?
Once passed this stage the item is ready for electrical testing.
A dedicated portable appliance test Instrument is used to carry out the following tests -
where appropriate

• Cord Test - This tests the integrity of the mains cord terminated with IEC sockets.
The cord test checks the polarity of the mains conductors, the phase, neutral
and earth insulation and the safety earth continuity where an earth conductor is
used. This test ensures that the mains cable is safe to use and that subsequent
tests on the equipment are not attributed to the mains cord.

• Earth Bond/Earth Continuity Test - This test applies pre-selected test current of
between 100mA and 25 amps to the earth circuit of the equipment to be tested.
The current flowing in the earth circuit verifies that the earth path will carry fault
currents in the event of an equipment fault.

• Insulation Test - The insulation test checks the integrity of the equipment insulation
by applying 500V dc between phase and neutral linked together and earth.
The measured insulation resistance is compared with a pre-set value for Class 1
and Class 2 equipment and is passed or failed accordingly. This test is not applied
to information technology equipment unless it complies with BS EN 60950.

• Earth Leakage Test - During the earth leakage test, current flowing in the earth
lead is monitored to check that no potentially hazardous, voltage- induced, earth
leakage paths are created by the operating conditions. This test replaces the insulation
test on information technology equipment.

Is there any disruption to staff?
It would be wrong to say that there is no disruption. However, our experienced engineers
using the most up to date computerised equipment keep any disruption to the
absolute minimum.
How often does it need to be carried out?
No rigid guidelines can be laid down as to the frequency of inspecting and testing but
factors influencing the decision includes the environment, the users, the equipment
construction and the equipment type. We follow the Code of Practice for In-Service
Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment produced by the Institution of Electrical
Engineers – in conjunction with guidance provided by the Health & Safety Executive.

The cost
Comparing like with like we believe our rates offer the best value for money pricing
structure in the present day market place. Alternatively, give us a call or email us with the estimated number of Appliances so that we can arrange for a quotation to be sent to you. The pricing
structure depends on the total number of tests to be carried out.

What you get for your money

• All standard labels (each asset is given a unique number)
• All standard pass (or Fail) labels
• A Failure Report (where appropriate)
• A Certificate of Electrical Appliance Testing (for each building where appropriate)
supplied electronically in .pdf format
• A record in respect of each item inspected/tested.
• Additional information e.g. serial number (where readily accessible), old asset code number, model, condition etc can be provided, if required at a supplementary cost.
• The supply of asset information & test results electronically in .pdf format

Current Cost of Testing

1000 + Items £1.50 per Item
200-999 Items £1.80 per Item
100-199 Items £2.00 per Item
001-099 Items £2.00 per item

Plugs or fuses replaced charged additionally.

Low Minimum Charge only £35.00

All prices are subject to Value Added Tax at the appropriate rate.

Contact Us Now for more information or book a visit.