What is PAT testing?
PAT testing – short for Portable Appliance Testing – is a safety check for everyday electrical devices like computers and kettles. Professionals do it to spot potential issues and ensure everything is safe to use. This helps prevent accidents, keeps spaces safe, and can help appliances last longer.
It is often compared to having your car MOT’d, and from many of my clients, I get the idea that it’s almost as stressful. It shouldn’t be! With modern equipment, failures are relatively rare – and far less expensive to rectify…
What’s involved…
First of all, there is a visual inspection: Your appliance, its cable, and its plug all need to be checked for any damage that may make it unsafe.
The plug:
Does the plug meet British safety standards? The plug needs to be in a good condition. The live and neutral pins need to be insulated to half their length. If the plug isn’t sealed it should be opened and checked. Is the fuse the correct rating? Are there any scorch marks? Are the connections secure?
The cable:
The cable needs to be examined for wear and tear. Both ends are subject to continuous bending which can degrade the plastic coating. Are the ends secured securely – either into the plug or into the appliance? There should be no sign of the interior cables or copper wiring!
The equipment:
This can be anything from kettles to computers. Specially designed testing equipment is used to detect any defects in insulation and current flow. The equipment also needs to be examined for anything such as cracks in casings that could potentially cause electrocution or fire.