PAT Testing

Portable Appliance Testing (PAT Testing)

Portable Appliance Testing (PAT Testing) uses a combination of visual and technical inspections to assess the safety of potable electrical equipment, such as drills, laptops, floor cleaners, grinders, kitchen appliances, water pressure cleaners – anything that can be moved.

We work with businesses, hotels, restaurants, and retailers to ensure the risk of using electrical equipment is minimised and highlight any potential dangers.

What does PAT Testing Involve?

Our qualified PAT Testing engineers will attend your premises to identify the items that need testing and methodically record your inventory.

Using their expert eye and knowledge, our engineers will undertake a number of visual checks of the item, its cable, the plug, fuse and fitting. The visual inspection is often the most effective way to identify any faults or potential hazards.

Items are logged and physically labelled with their ID number, the Synecore name and the date of testing.

Any items that could be hazardous are listed within the PAT Testing report, along with any potential risk.

Is PAT Testing a Legal Requirement?

The Electricity at Work regulations 1989 do not outline how often PAT Testing should take place and by whom, however, it is the responsibility of employer to assess the risk. It also states that electrical systems and equipment MUST be maintained to prevent danger. That includes portable appliances.

What items need to be PAT Tested?

Any portable electrical items within the workplace – whether they are company-owned, or the property of an employee, or self-employed person – should be tested. While large appliances, such as dishwashers, printers and computers, can be tested too, they are at a lower risk of damage from transportation.

Items for PAT Testing can be split into two categories – low and high risk, or Class 1 and Class 2.

Low-risk or Class 1 items are those that are double-insulated with high-integrity insulation. These items usually display a symbol, but if not, an engineer can identify a low-risk item. An example of a low-risk item is a kettle or a handheld blender with a plastic casing.

High-risk or Class 2 items have metallic external components that could become live if the earth is compromised, or the very nature of the item presents a risk. For example, if a pressure washer cable is broken and becomes live, the water can conduct the electrical current to the user. Construction equipment is among the high-risk items too. They should be frequently checked and tested.

We recommend testing high-risk appliances between six and 12 months. Low-risk items can be tested between one and two years.

To book PAT Testing with one of Synecore’s professional electrical engineers, please contact the team at sales@synecore.co.uk or call 01795 509 509.