Portable Appliance Testing - FAQ
What appliances require testing ?
Basically all electrical equipment connected to a source of electrical energy via a power flex. This includes 415v, 230v and 115v electrical appliances. Some common examples would include entension leads, IEC leads, personal computers, televisions, monitors, chargers, fridges, freezers, vacumn cleaners, power tools. Simply anything that you can plug into a power socket or connected to a power source via a flexible power cord.
Why do I need to have my appliances tested ?
Portable appliance testing is a very important part of any companies health and safety policy. Over 25% of all reported electrical accidents are caused by faulty electrical appliances (stated by the HSE). These could be caused by appliances that are used everyday from your kettle to a office photocopier. The test engineer will conduct a series of inspections and tests on the electrical appliance to determine its suitability and safety.
Health and safety / fire officers may ask and require evidence of appliance testing. Insurance companies would expect the insured to comply with the current regulations. Of course the most important reason would be to minimise risk to employees through the use of faulty electrical appliances.
The employers responsibility to ensure safety of work equipment is covered by the provision and use of work equipment regulations 1998. "Every employer shall ensure that work equipment is so constructed or adapted as to be suitable for the purpose for which it is used or provided. This includes all work equipment that is fixed, portable or transportable connected to a source of electrical energy.
What tests do you conduct on my electrical appliances ?
1) Full visual inspection - the test engineer will carry out a visual inspection of the appliance for any signs of damage or overheating. The engineer will check the appliance plug top for correct termination, condition and rating of the protective fuse. Finally check the suitability of the appliance for its environment and check the condition of the flex of the appliance and also the case looking for signs of damage.
2) Earth bond / continuity test - the test engineer will perform a earth bond test on the appliance using a suitable appliance testing meter. The earth test is very important on class 1 appliances due to the appliance relying on the earth as its protection in the event of a fault with the appliance. (Test is skipped on class 2 appliances).
3) Insulation test - the test engineer will perform the insulation test on the appliance using a portable appliance test meter. This test is designed to verify that adequate insulation exists between live components and earth.
4) Earth leakage test - the test engineer will perform a earth leakage test on the appliance usually if the insulation test gives abnormal results. It is also carried out on I.T equipment in place of the insulation test to prevent damage to sensitive equipment.
5) Load and function test - the test engineer will perform a load and function test on the appliance using a portable appliance test meter. This is a useful way of determining if the appliance is functioning correctly. Also it is useful for checking that there are no additional faults that previous tests have missed.
6) Polarity test - performed on all extension leads and IEC leads to confirm that correct polarity exists at the socket / lead end.
What testing equipment do you use and what reports will be provided ?
Megger PAT 4 and Seaward Europa + appliance testers are used for all appliance testing contracts. These are fully computerised test meters which allow for logging of all information without the need of pen and paper. Dramatically increasing the speed in which reports can be generated. We provide all clients with professional bound reports and a hiqh quality cover certificate for entrance ways etc.
How often do my appliances need inspection and testing ?
The frequency of testing depends on the environment that the appliance is being used and the class of the appliance. We use our own experience and guidance from the IEE and the HSE. Also the office manager / health and safety office may require guidance from their insurance company for their requirements.
A table is provided below with guidance provided by the Institute of Electrical Engineers for example re test frequencies.
