What is PAT Testing?
Portable Appliance Testing, or PAT Testing, is the process of testing electrical components, equipment, and appliances to ensure they are in working condition. It is done to ensure the safety of the user. If the equipment is not safe for use, PAT testing will help identify that equipment. It involves the process of identifying wear and tear, errors, or damage in the electrical equipment which may cause damage to the user.
It is the process of routine checkup of the electrical appliances or equipment to identify errors that may bring potential harm and damage if left unchecked or unrepaired. It keeps your home or workplace safe from the threats like electric shocks or fire.
What Needs PAT Testing?
PAT testing is required for any equipment that can be moved or replaced, and it involves the use of electricity, whether it is directly connected or disconnected from the electrical supply. Some of the electrical equipment are:
Small Moveable Electrical Appliances
Small items such as kettles, heaters, fans, televisions, vacuum cleaners, lamps, radios, irons, dryers, food toasters, and makers. Equipment like these and many others related to those require PAT testing.
Large Equipment
Large equipment like fridge, washing machine, oven, chillers, computers and many more. Anything related to these that requires direct electric current requires PAT testing.
Battery Charging and Extension
These include the equipment that is used to charge the battery of the appliances, such as the mobile charger and any other charger that is used to charge the electrical component. This also includes the extension lead, which connects the main supply to the home via electric extension or adapters.
Steps to Perform PAT Testing
PAT testing is done by following some steps. In PAT Testing Cambridge, the following steps are done:
- Visual inspection is done on the equipment, where we identify damaged wires, cracked plugs, signs of burning or smell, and any loose connections.
- After, the plug and cable are checked. Plugs are checked to ensure all the wires are correctly connected and there are no loose wires after the cables are checked to identify any broken or cut on the cable.
- An earth test is conducted on the equipment to ensure it is working correctly. One end of the PAT tester is attached to the earth rod, and the other is attached to the metal surface of the equipment.
- An insulation resistance test is conducted to ensure the condition of the wires remains intact and prevents electricity leakage. PAT tester is attached to the neutral and live wire of the equipment. The tester will apply a voltage and measure the resistance.
- In the last step, a functional test is performed to check the equipment’s performance and ensure it is working normally. During the check, check whether the equipment is making any kind of strange noises, overheating or sparking, etc.
- After all the tests are done, a label is put on the equipment depending on its condition. If it is safe to use the label, it will be different. A date and time are mentioned, along with the type of PAT testing done on the equipment.
Why is PAT Testing Important?
When using electrical equipment, we never know what small mistake can lead to severe consequences. To prevent such an event from happening, PAT testing is done. PAT testing is important in many ways. The following are some:
- PAT testing keeps the user safe from using faulty equipment. Using the faulty equipment can put your life at risk. PAT testing identifies the errors even before they are small.
- When you know that your equipment is tested and safe to use, It gives you a peace of mind and safety in using those.
- PAT testing also saves money in the long run. PAT testing identifies small errors, and repairing those errors can save you money on big repairs or, sometimes, the replacement of equipment.
Conclusion
Electrical equipment is now part of our daily lives. Just like humans, they require routine PAT testing and maintenance to ensure smooth workflow and performance. PAT testing gives you peace of mind and the safety of your life. If you are looking for professionals who are experts in PAT testing, then MA Electrical Services UK is an ideal choice for you.
