Important info all our Portable Appliance Testing is completed only by electricians, so this saves you down time, money and gives you piece of mind that your testing is being completed by a qualified person. We only use the latest and best portable appliance testing equipment available on the market to ensure accurate results each and every time.

PAT TESTING

The Penalties

Successful prosecution under the Act or any health and safety statute carries a maximum penalty of a fine of £5000 and/or up to 6 months imprisonment. For breaches under the general duties of the Health Safety at Work Act 1974, penalties of up to £20000 were introduced in 1992. Offences heard on indictment in the Crown Court attract unlimited financial penalties and up to 2 years imprisonment.

Please Note

Electrical Safety - each year about 1000 accidents at work involving electric shock or burns are reported to the Health & Safety Executive (HSE). Around 30 of these are fatal!

Fire Safety - Portable electrical appliances are a major cause of fires both in the home and at work. A sobering fact:- Over 2,500 people are killed or injured as a result of electrical fires every year!

Insurance Cover - When you take out insurance cover with Insurance companies, they often make the assumption that the insured business is complying with all regulations necessary. If any claim is made throughout your insurance period the insurance company may reduce, delay, or even refuse to pay on any claim for damage if the damage has been caused by an appliance that has not been tested.


Types of Equipment

What is a Portable Appliance?

A Portable Electrical Appliance is simply an electrical item of equipment connected to the mains supply by a flexible cable and a plug.

When the electrical equipment is plugged into a power source (i.e. an electrical socket) the appliance then becomes part of your electrical installation system.

Equipment types can vary in size, weight and construction which depend upon the equipments use.

Appliance and Equipment Types:

Portable equipment / appliances

These are items which are less than 18kg in mass and are designed so that they can be easily moved from one place to another whilst energised and / or in operation. The power connection will be made by a ‘Flexible cord’ which will terminate in a plug for connection to the fixed supply.
Examples of such appliances are: toasters, food mixer, vacuum cleaner, fan heater and coffee percolators etc.





Examples of Portable Equipment & Appliances


Hand held equipment / appliances

These items are of a portable nature which require the control and use by direct hand contact in normal use. Examples include: hair dryers, drills, soldering irons and hedge trimmers etc.




Examples of Hand held Equipment


Moveable equipment / appliances (sometimes called transportable)

There items are generally 18kg or less and not fixed. This type of equipment maybe on wheels or castors or mounted on a separate or integral trolley for ease of use and to be moved as required to perform its intended use.

Examples include: air conditioning units, dehumidifier, and portable radiators.







Examples of Moveable Equipment


Stationary equipment / appliances

This equipment is in excess of 18kg and is not intended to be moved around. It is not provided with a carrying handle. Examples include: washing machine, tumble dryer, dishwasher and refrigerator.







Examples of Stationary Equipment & Appliances




Information technology equipment (IT business equipment)

This equipment includes electrical business equipment such as computers and mains powered telecommunication equipment, other equipment for general use, such as mail processing machines, printers, typewriters, photo-copiers, VDU’s, data terminal equipment, and power packs etc.
Monitor/VDUFax MachineComputer TerminalPhotocopier
Examples of Information Technology Equipment








Examples of IT Equipment


Extension Leads

Although the use of extension leads should be avoided where possible, there are often multi-way sockets being used where IT equipment is present as there is seldom enough sockets to supply all the various units of equipment. If used, they should be tested as portable appliances.