Portable Appliance Testing ensures that your electrical appliances and equipment are safe to use. Most defects are found by visual inspection, while other invisible faults require electrical safety testing. Frequent user checks can help, but often formal, regular inspections are required depending upon frequency, environment and type of use of the equipment.
While there is no legal obligation to have appliances tested, the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 requires any electrical equipment that has the potential to cause injury is maintained in a safe condition.
Logs of test passes and failures are maintained and provided for piece of mind and your reference. Equipment failing an electrical safety test can usually be made safe again, otherwise it is removed from use and replaced.
I always recommend that larger, infrequently moved items (such as fridges or washers) are tested every 12-24 months or just after moving, while smaller, transportable devices (such as radios or heaters) are tested every 3-6 months dependant on usage and environment. Equipment which is moved and used daily may require more frequent checks.
Prices start at £2 per item, with discounts for bulk tests.
Read more information on PAT regulations from the Health and Safety Executive.
