Elfyn Rees
Cleantalk Member
Could someone please help clarify the position as regards PAT testing of appliances as I've heard conflicting reports.
Elfyn
Elfyn
PAT testing
- Thread starter Elfyn Rees
- Start date
John Bolton
Cleantalker Veteran
Elfyn,
PAT (Portable Appliance Testing) is something we all do have done on a regular basis - Right?
It is a requirement made by several pieces of legislation, including the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989. The scope of appliances covered is wide, not just your vacuum cleaner, portable extractor etc. but basically any thing connected to a mains plug - including an extension cable and 110 volt equipment.
Implications of ignoring this requirement can be serious. Not the least being the fact that you could find yourself un-insured.
You are entitled to carry out these tests yourself - a one-day City and Guilds course is available (£160 + VAT) and the equipment can be purchased for around £600. You may consider that this investment is worthwhile for the convenience of being able to test at a time that suits you and the cost, like the cost of having the tests carried out by some other qualified person, is tax deductable.
There is also the possibility of earning additional income by testing for others. However, I would sugest that in the event of an electrical accident occuring, due to a fault that develops between tests, then certification by an independant party is likely to have more credibility.
PAT (Portable Appliance Testing) is something we all do have done on a regular basis - Right?
It is a requirement made by several pieces of legislation, including the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989. The scope of appliances covered is wide, not just your vacuum cleaner, portable extractor etc. but basically any thing connected to a mains plug - including an extension cable and 110 volt equipment.
Implications of ignoring this requirement can be serious. Not the least being the fact that you could find yourself un-insured.
You are entitled to carry out these tests yourself - a one-day City and Guilds course is available (£160 + VAT) and the equipment can be purchased for around £600. You may consider that this investment is worthwhile for the convenience of being able to test at a time that suits you and the cost, like the cost of having the tests carried out by some other qualified person, is tax deductable.
There is also the possibility of earning additional income by testing for others. However, I would sugest that in the event of an electrical accident occuring, due to a fault that develops between tests, then certification by an independant party is likely to have more credibility.
Trevor Ives
Cleantalker Veteran
I will have my PAT tester at the Wolverhampton Day out on the 18th and will be testing equipment for a fee to charity.
Trevor
Trevor
arthur mccartney
Cleantalk Member
Hi Trevor,
What are the legal implications, if say for example someone that took you up on your offer was electrocuted by an item you had tested, H & S exec. gets involved etc...?
How would this stand up in court, as i'm assuming your not an electrician or wouldn't that matter?
Arthur
John Bolton
Cleantalker Veteran
Arthur,
The PAT is not predictive, so only speaks to the condition at time of testing. To establish any claim against the tester, it would have to be established that the fault came within the scope of the prescribed test, that it existed at the time of testing AND that the tester declared it to be OK.
The PAT is not predictive, so only speaks to the condition at time of testing. To establish any claim against the tester, it would have to be established that the fault came within the scope of the prescribed test, that it existed at the time of testing AND that the tester declared it to be OK.
arthur mccartney
Cleantalk Member
Thanks for the reply John, it's just when your dealing with safety testing, especially where electrics are concerned, you can't be to cautious.
It's like calibration of PAT testers. I've read a few times on various boards about testing, but never once about making sure the tester your using is suitably calibrated. Which is something that anyone carrying out PAT testing should also be aware of
Arthur
ps The post was through concern, not critisism
It's like calibration of PAT testers. I've read a few times on various boards about testing, but never once about making sure the tester your using is suitably calibrated. Which is something that anyone carrying out PAT testing should also be aware of
Arthur
ps The post was through concern, not critisism
Trevor Ives
Cleantalker Veteran
I have just had my tester recalibrated after a minor repair. It should be done every 12 months but I wonder how many are.
arthur mccartney
Cleantalk Member
I'm glad you know the regs Trevor, that seems to be the problem in alot of cases, a little knowledge can be more dangerous than none.
Hope you do well for the charity
Arthur
Hope you do well for the charity
Arthur