Frequently Ask Questions

What is PAT Testing?

(Portable Appliances Testing)

Portable appliance testing (PAT) is the term used to describe the examination of electrical appliances and equipment to ensure they are safe to use. Most electrical safety defects can be found by visual examination but some types of defect can only be found by testing.

PAT Testing is a great way of ensuring that your electrical equipment is safe and fit for purpose. In-service inspection and testing is a way in which Duty Holders, employers, businesses and landlords can meet their legal obligation to maintain a high safety standard of their electrical appliances.

knowledge, books, board, stack, training, to learn, read, literature, school, information, blackboard, teaching, textbook, text, book stack, question mark, question, chalk, teaching, teaching, question mark, question mark, question mark, question, question, question, question, question

There are Different Parameters Safety Test

Earth Bond and Continuity Test

This test is carried out on all Class I appliances during PAT Testing. The purpose of the test is to check that there is a good connection between the Earth pin on the plug and the case of the appliance.

The purpose of this test is to ensure that there is adequate insulation between the Live parts of the appliances and the user touchable metal parts. Adequate insulation is defined as greater than 1 M Ohm for Class I appliances and 2 M Ohm for Class II appliances.

To check that the equipment case and all exposed metal parts are isolated from earth/ground.

It is similar to an insulation resistance measurement except that a test voltage of 40V/50Hz is used rather than 500V DC. The measured current is then automatically scaled by the tester to show the leakage that would present at mains voltage

What Equipment's Need to be PAT Tested?

Any appliance that uses a flexible cable or plug and socket qualifies as a portable appliance. In other words, if you have an appliance that has a plug that is intended to be connected to a wall socket or generator, it qualifies as needing to be PAT tested. Read More

The Different Class type of Equipments

Symbol

This type of equipment relies on the basic insulation of live parts to prevent contact with parts that are live under normal conditions. If a fault arose and the outer parts of the equipment became live, the equipment relies on the casing, if it is conductive, being connected to earth via its supply cable and the fixed wiring in the installation. Kettles, desk fans and electric fan heaters are typical examples of Class I equipment.

Symbol

This type of equipment relies on either two layers of insulation (double insulation) or insulation equivalent to two layers (reinforced insulation) to protect the user in the event of a fault. Although the equipment is not connected to earth the insulation is of such a design that it will prevent any electricity reaching any part of the equipment that could cause harm. Garden equipment such as electric strimmers and lawn mowers are examples of this type.

Symbol

This type of equipment is supplied from what is known as a SELV (Separated Extra Low Voltage) source which will not exceed 50V a.c. Mobile phones and Laptops are examples of Class III equipment. The voltage from a SELV supply is low enough such that under normal conditions a person can safely come into contact with an energized conductor without risk of electrical shock.