PAT TESTING

This is a requirement of some insurance companies. The purpose of this is to ensure electrical appliances are safe for continued use. The checks include a visual inspection of the appliance and any cables, verification of earth continuity to appliances with metal parts and a visual check to fuses and plug tops with accessible parts.

The guidance for Portable Appliance Testing states what types of appliances are covered and how often these should be checked. For the majority of appliances this would be annually. Appliances include small items such as power tools, chargers, lamps, small kitchen appliances, extension leads and Christmas lights.

Larger items are also included for example large kitchen appliances, commercial laundry equipment and vending machines. Even if the equipment is hard wired it may still fall within the scope that requires it to be checked.