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"Do
I have to have my electrical equipment PAT tested?"
Portable
Appliance Testing or PAT testing is becoming more and more of a
requirement for all business sectors in the UK, and due to British
legislation it is the duty of both employers and employees to ensure
the safety of all persons using the work place.
"What
is a Portable Appliance?"
Basically
any electrical equipment that is powered from a 3 pin mains plug
inserted into a 13A wall socket is regarded as a Portable Appliance.
Be
Safe not Sorry
Many
insurance companies now require all portable electrical equipment
to be tested yearly or they may void your insurance. Don't get caught
out! Call PATMAN today to arrange for all your
portable appliances to be tested.
Testing
starts from £1 per item
All
of our PAT testers are fully qualified, and are trained to work
in an unobtrusive manner minimizing disruption in your work premises.
No
job too small
The
PAT tests performed by PATMAN include:
- Full
Visual Test-
Checks the flex of the appliance for any signs of melting, cuts
or frying, the plug top, and that it has the correct fuse.
-
Earth Bond- This
test is very important as the safety of a class 1 appliance depends
on it having a good earth connection.
- Load
Test
- This is a useful way of ensuring that the appliance is operating
correctly and that no previously undetected faults are present.
-
Earth Leakage- measures
the current from live parts to earth on class 1 appliances or
from live parts to accessible surfaces for class 2.
-
Polarity Test -
Ensures that the correct polarity exists on extension leads and
IEC leads
-
Insulation Test Voltage
- This test is used to ensure that there is adequate insulation
between the mains supply pins of the plug.
-
Touch Current –
This is used when it is thought the equipment is too sensitive
to load test e.g. I.T. equipment.
Equipment
Classification is
| Class
1 |
This
is any equipment that has an earth connection from the mains
supply. In most cases this equipment will have exposed earthed
metal work and live parts will have basic insulation, e.g. toaster,
fan heater, Steam iron, etc. |
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| Class
2a |
This
equipment has no exposed metalwork and has two layers of insulation,
e.g. typewriter, dictation machine, etc. |
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| Class
2b |
This
equipment may have exposed unearthed metalwork, which will be
separated from live parts by two layers of insulation, e.g.
power drill, etc. |
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| Class
3 |
This
equipment operates from a power supply less than 50v AC and
has basic insulation with no earthed metalwork, e.g., Xmas neon
lights, phone wall unit, etc |
PATMAN
looking after the small business, as well as the bigger employer
These
are ALL the relevant tests set out in the new Health & Safety
guidelines 17th edition.
All
Schools, Colleges, Offices, Hotels, Bed & Breakfast establishments,
Corner Shops, Social and Working Men’s Clubs, Function Suites,
Cafes’ and Restaurants’ or any other working
environment, should be aware that any fire caused by an electrical
fault may make your insurance void if the premises are not in possession
of a current PAT certificate, and ALL appliances
clearly marked with a dated Pass Label.
Not being in possession of a current PAT certificate can also affect
your Public Liability Insurance if the need to claim should ever
arrive.
This is most relevant to the Entertainment industry inc, Groups,
Solo Singers, Comedians, and anyone else using Electrical equipment,
inc P.A. systems and lighting rigs. Most Hotels and now ALL Holiday
parks are asking to see a current PAT certificate before allowing
the act to set up their gear. NO PAT, NO GIG.
Standard
Charges for PORTABLE APPLIANCE TESTS are:
£40
minimum charge....(includes up to 10 items fully tested).
Therafter
10 to 50 items....£1.50 per item
From
50 items upwards....£1.00 per item
Customers
must note there is a minimum charge of £40; however this will
include up to 10 items. Thereafter a charge of £1.50 per Item
up to 50 Items, £1.00 per Item from 50 upwards. The customer
must also be aware that where an Appliance has a detachable mains
lead, or cord set these MUST be tested, and labeled as 2 individual
Items.
Newcastle,
Gateshead, North Shields, South Shields, Chirton, North Tyneside,
Tynemouth, Percy Main, Whitburn, Sunderland, Peterlee, Hartlepool,
Walls End, Easington, Shotton, Horden, Houghton-le-Spring, Whitley
Bay, Cramlington, Blyth, Longbenton, Washington |
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