Portable Appliance Testing

Portable Appliance Testing (or PAT testing for short) is a system used to test the electric within your portable items in either the home or workplace, to ensure they are safe for use. Portable items are considered anything that can be picked up and moved, for example kettle or a toaster, or a scanner or photocopier. Appliances should be tested regularly and depending on what the item is and the environment it is used in, determines how often it should be tested. PAT testing tests the earth integrity of basic everyday household items such as toasters, kettles irons etc. to ensure they are safe for use; these are Class 1 appliances. Class II appliances are double-insulated and are heavier on electrical use (lawn mowers, hair dryers); the PAT testing will check the insulation resistance of these items to ensure electrical shock will not happen. The test will also check to ensure that the appliances work as they should. It is uncommon for households to carry out PAT testing; however, PAT testing is carried out in companies that use electrical appliances. Offices, Hotels, Restaurants should have items PAT tested regularly and the results are recorded and a sticker placed on the appliance to show the test has been done and that it passed. All businesses should carry out PAT testing on all their appliances to ensure high levels of safety are maintained.