Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) Standard
PAT explained
This section of the PAT Standard contains information which will be relevant to all users of
this Standard. It is split into two parts:
Part 1 explains the background to PAT and covers what is classed as a portable appliance
and the different types of inspection / testing which come under PAT.
Part 2 explains the process of PAT and covers maintenance contracts, types of equipment
(new, second hand, and that on hire, lease, loan or personally owned), who can carry out
PAT, whether PAT could damage equipment, the frequency of PAT, labelling used by
authorised PAT testers, record keeping and disposal of electrical equipment.
PART 1: The Background
The PAT standard applies to electrical equipment which is portable and moveable.
What is a portable or movable appliance?
A portable or movable appliance is any electrical equipment that is capable of being moved
whilst either connected or disconnected from an electrical supply, and in general which have
a lead (cable) and a plug, and some fixed equipment. The definition includes equipment that:
can easily be moved around
o Examples:, vacuum cleaners, kettles, fans, some televisions, radios, desk
lamps, conference phone power supplies, mains powered laptops, temporary
lighting, portable electrical hand tools, grinders, portable stage lighting and
sound equipment, battery chargers for battery operated equipment and small
appliances such as catering equipment including food mixers, communal irons
in University residences;
larger items that could be moved (but only rarely)
o Examples: photocopiers, printers, fax machines, desktop computers, screens,
shredders, water coolers, free standing fridges / freezers, microwaves, vending
machines, electric cookers in University residences, fixed lighting and sound
rigs, speakers, laboratory or medical instrumentation, electric beds are
considered to be movable items;
hand held items that do not have a plug but have been wired in or are fixed
o Example: hair dryers in sports changing room areas
mobile phone and other battery-charging equipment that is plugged into the mains (but
the phones themselves and any other battery-operated equipment would not be
included);
extension leads, multi-way adaptors and connection leads; and
where a portable residual current device (RCD) is fitted to electrical equipment, the
RCD must accompany the equipment so that it can be inspected & tested at the same
time.
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What is not considered a portable or movable appliance?
Portable electrical equipment does not generally include:
fixed, built in white goods, such as fridges or freezers (these
are covered under the appropriate cycle for fixed installation
testing);
Charging equipment for battery operated equipment, such as
mobile phones or I-Pads, which have a transformer or USB
port as part of the plug (e.g. see photo to the right). However,
if there is a mains lead between the plug and transformer (as
is usually the case with power supplies to laptops), the mains
lead would be considered portable electrical equipment.
USB operated equipment, such as a mobile phone charger,
or that which is powered by connection to a computer USB
port, such as mobile phones used as hard drives, or small fans.
Electrical equipment which is wired into the mains supply but is not designed to be moved or
which is part of a fixed installation, i.e. the equipment remains in the place where it is
installed. Examples include water boilers, hand dryers and hair dryers such as in the Sports
Centre or Evolve Gym. This type of equipment should be dealt with in accordance with the
maintenance cycle for fixed installations.
What is Portable Appliance Testing?
Portable Appliance Testing is the term used to describe the examination of electrical
equipment to ensure it is safe to use. There are three different types of PAT with simple
visual checks and combined PAT being the most common:
1. Simple visual checks
These are checks made by the person using the electrical equipment to ensure there
are no immediately visible signs of damage before it is connected to the mains supply
or to check for any obvious faults, such as cracked casing or exposed wires. This
helps to ensure that damaged or faulty equipment is recognised and can be removed
from use without delay so that it can either be repaired by a competent, authorised
person or responsibly disposed of.
Simple visual checks should be made when equipment is moved, installed or as part
of an annual health and safety inspection, but could be done at any time by the user of
or the person responsible for the equipment.
A visual guide with photographic examples has been produced to guide employees,
students and visitors on how to carry out simple visual checks on electrical equipment
2. Formal visual inspection
Typically a formal visual inspection will only apply if equipment becomes faulty or in
higher risk areas, such as laboratories, workshops or theatres, where there may be
specific local rules on when electrical equipment requires formal visual inspection by
an authorised PAT tester. The person responsible for the area will arrange formal
visual inspections, if these are required.
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A formal visual inspection involves (in addition to the simple visual check described
above) disconnecting the equipment from the electrical supply, removing the plug
cover or equipment casing cover to check that the internal parts of the plug and cable
are properly connected, secure and have the correct fuse with the correct rating fitted
and there is no sign of internal damage, overheating or entry of liquid, dust or dirt.
3. Formal visual inspection with formal electrical testing, known as combined
PAT
Some faults cannot be detected by simple visual checks or formal visual inspections,
such as if there is a broken earth wire within a flexible cable or the inside surfaces
have been contaminated. Combined PAT involves removing the outer casing to check
for correct fusing, correct polarity of supply cables, effective termination of cables and
core wiring, and that the equipment is suitable in the environment where it is to be
used. A testing unit is used to detect any faults that cannot be identified visually.
Combined PAT should be carried out in the following circumstances:
if the equipment is considered to be faulty but simple visual checks or formal visual
inspection cannot identify the problem
after any repair or modification to electrical equipment
at appropriate frequencies depending on:
-
the type of equipment and whether it is hand-held or not
manufacturers recommendations
the initial integrity and soundness of the equipment
the age of the equipment
the working environment in which the equipment is used, eg wet, dusty or
flammable areas
where there is a greater likelihood of mechanical damage, such as cables being
wrongly used to carry the weight of the equipment;
the frequency of use
if there is foreseeable misuse of the equipment
where analysis of previous records of maintenance, such as formal visual
inspection and combined PAT, highlight any trends which indicate a higher
frequency of testing may be required.
PART 2: The Process
A flowchart on the Universitys Electrical Safety webpage ([Link]/ohsas/electricity)
provides an overview of how to arrange a formal visual inspection (if applicable) or combined
PAT. The following points answer questions which are commonly asked.
Do maintenance contracts with Information Systems Services (ISS) include
PAT?
No. ISS do not provide a service to carry out formal visual inspections or combined PAT
under their maintenance contracts. This includes new and existing equipment, such as
printers, computers or laptops. When ISS are required to move IT equipment, a simple visual
check only will be carried out by ISS personnel. Should potential faults be identified, ISS will
liaise with the person responsible for that equipment.
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Does brand new electrical equipment require PAT?
Brand new electrical equipment should not require PAT if purchased from a reputable UK
supplier, however please refer below to the exceptions regarding purchases online or from
auction sites.
The person responsible for the area where the electrical equipment will be used should
ensure a simple visual check is carried out before the equipment is connected to the mains
supply for the first time. Any immediately visible faults which may have occurred when the
item was manufactured or during delivery can then be identified, and the equipment removed
or replaced. The inventory for that area should be updated with the details of any new
electrical equipment.
Note: some areas may have local rules which require either a formal visual inspection or
combined PAT to be carried out before electrical equipment is connected to the mains
supply for the first time, such as Computer Science and Electronic Engineering, or on each
occasion it is moved or taken out of storage, such as in theatres, to ensure equipment is
electrically safe and suitable for the environment where it will be used.
Does second hand equipment or any electrical equipment purchased online
or from auction sites require PAT?
Yes, if it is second hand or if it is purchased directly from a supplier based outside the UK.
Irrespective of where in the world work equipment is purchased from, it must be safe to use
at the University and comply with European and/or UK legislation and standards. If in doubt,
arrange for a combined PAT. Work Equipment offers guidance on how to check whether
equipment is fit for purpose and safe to use (see [Link]/ohsas/work_equipment).
The inventory for that area should be updated with the details of any newly acquired electrical
equipment.
Does electrical equipment on hire, lease or loan require PAT?
Yes. The company supplying electrical equipment for hire or lease is responsible for carrying
out combined PAT each time that equipment is hired and for making the results available to
the hirer or lessee. If you hire or lease electrical equipment, you should check the terms of
the contract or agreement regarding regular inspection, testing and maintenance by either
party and that the PAT record is up-to-date prior to accepting the equipment.
Examples of users of hire, lease or loan equipment are:
Business Units using leased equipment such as vending machines, branded display
cabinets or fridges.
Bands, theatres and event co-ordinators that use sound and lighting equipment which
is hired in for the duration of a tour or show. This type of equipment may be
susceptible to damage due to continual handling and packing for storage.
Contractors using long-term hire or leased equipment for the duration of a contract.
Where electrical equipment is issued on a loan basis, whether chargeable or not, the
Department / Section / Business Unit which loans the equipment is responsible for carrying
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out appropriate maintenance (including PAT) and keeping suitable records. Typical details
should include the type of PAT carried out, the date the test was carried out and the outcome
of that test. The person responsible for loaning particular electrical equipment may wish to
carry out PAT more often, however the frequencies indicated below should be the minimum.
The following table is a guide for electrical equipment which is hired, leased or issued on a
loan basis. See the Glossary of Terms for an explanation of Class I and Class II electrical
equipment.
Type of PAT and guide frequency
Class
Equipment Type
(See
Glossary
of
Terms)
Simple
Visual
1
Check
Example/s
Formal
Visual
Inspection
Combined PAT
(Note: may be required
earlier in some
circumstances. See above)
Hire or lease company to
carry out combined PAT
before collection or
delivery.
Hired or leased
equipment
Any
Portable electrical
equipment to be used on
University premises
Yes,
before use
See
combined
PAT
Contract or lease
agreement should
stipulate responsibilities
for ongoing electrical
inspection, testing and
maintenance.
User to check PAT label
or record is in date before
use
Equipment issued
on loan
Any
Equipment loaned:
To students
To accommodation
residences
For a hotel function
Heaters or fans
approved by Estates
Director
Yes, by
user during
loan period
Before
issue or on
return
Annual, responsibility of
person loaning
equipment unless
otherwise agreed
A simple visual check by the user is advisable before connecting electrical equipment to the
mains supply which is on hire, lease or loan. Do not use electrical equipment which has
any visible faults or damage; return it straight away.
Does personal electrical equipment require PAT?
Personally owned electrical equipment provides details of checks that can be made to ensure
equipment is safe to use and how to responsibly dispose of items you own.
Who is authorised to carry out formal visual inspections, combined PAT,
modifications or repairs?
Only those persons with the right level of training and experience for a specific task/s and
who are authorised as being competent by the Head of Department / Section / Business Unit
or by the Estate Management Section may carry out any maintenance or repair work to
electrical equipment.
When installed, moved or may be included as part of an annual health and safety inspection
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Depending on the nature of the task, a risk assessment and safe system of work or local
rules may need to be in place.
Details of training, competency and authorisation of PAT testers are given in Higher risk
environments and activities.
Can electrical equipment be damaged during combined PAT?
In general, this is rare. However it is possible that due to the internal design of some
sensitive electrical equipment damage might occur when combined PAT is carried out, for
example with laboratory analysis equipment. It is essential that you inform the PAT tester of
any equipment that you know or believe could be sensitive before testing commences. PAT
testers will not accept any responsibility for damage to electrical equipment or loss of data as
part of standard PAT procedures.
How often should PAT be carried out?
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) state that the majority of faults or damage can be
found just by looking whilst some types of defect can only be identified by formal testing. It is
therefore important to carry out the right type of PAT at appropriate intervals to ensure
electrical equipment is safe to use at all times.
A formal, regular programme of PAT is necessary. The intervals between carrying out simple
visual user checks, formal visual inspections and combined PAT need to take account of the
type of equipment, how it is used and the working environment. This should be based on
industry guidance and/or risk assessment.
Guidance on the frequency of PAT is given in low risk environments and higher risk
environments and activities. This is the minimum standard to be followed.
Should an inventory of electrical equipment requiring PAT be kept?
Yes. The inventory should specify all University owned portable and moveable electrical
equipment (including items under any ISS maintenance contract); do not include items which
are under a hire or lease contract where PAT is not the responsibility of the University.
Maintaining an accurate inventory, also sometimes known as an asset register, will help to
ensure that electrical equipment is appropriately inspected and/or tested at regular
frequencies. The PAT process will be more efficient too; by providing an inventory, the PAT
testers will know which equipment needs to be tested and where it is located. This should
minimise the duration that electrical equipment will not be available to use and any potential
disruption to individuals. Should an item of electrical equipment not be regularly inspected
and/or tested, it could continue to be in use whilst potentially being electrically unsafe.
Maintaining an accurate inventory will help you to prevent this situation arising.
Unless agreed otherwise with the Deputy Director of Estate Management (Maintenance),
inventories and accompanying test results provided by PAT testers must be held at a local
level; the Estate Management Section is unable to provide this service across the University.
Templates to record an inventory of which equipment requires testing and when, are
available in Word and Excel formats which can be customised to suit users needs.
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You may wish to group electrical equipment together which have the same frequency of
inspection / testing. Alternatively, you may wish to keep one inventory for all electrical
equipment, but which have different frequencies of testing. In the latter case, you should use
the shortest testing interval in the inventory rather than the longest.
How should PAT be arranged?
It is responsibility of the Head of Department / Section / Business Unit to make arrangements
for PAT to be carried out at the appropriate intervals and to ensure any equipment in use,
including that which is hired, leased or loaned, is appropriately maintained.
The task of noting the next due date for respective levels of PAT may typically be delegated
to the Health and Safety Liaison Officer (HSLO), Departmental Health and Safety Officer
(DHSO) or similarly appointed person so that timely arrangements can be made. This may
be organised by sending an up-to-date inventory of all portable electrical equipment requiring
PAT to the Estate Management Section Helpdesk (Colchester campus), the facilities
management provider (Southend and Loughton campuses), or the authorised PAT tester for
your area. See Points of Contact Electrical Safety for email addresses and telephone
numbers or contact your HSLO, DHSO, similarly appointed person or authorised PAT tester.
If you need an indication of how long the inspection and/or testing will take based on the
number and location of electrical equipment you have, contact
the appropriate person above.
Should equipment that has received PAT be labelled
and if so, how?
Equipment that has received a formal visual inspection or
combined PAT should be labelled to indicate that it has been
inspected / tested and has passed or failed that inspection /
test. To aid those responsible for ensuring the safety of
electrical equipment in their area, labels should state the date
on which the formal visual inspection / combined PAT took
place but not the date for re-testing2. An example is shown
here.
One or more items of electrical equipment have failed their PAT.
What happens next?
The PAT tester will attach a label to the equipment stating it
has failed and the date of the formal visual inspection or
combined PAT. An example of a label confirming the item has
failed its test is shown here.
Any items which have not passed their PAT must be promptly
quarantined so the item/s cannot be used, or for larger
equipment isolated and labelled as DO NOT USE. In either
scenario, the person responsible for the equipment should be
2
Institution of Engineering and Technology, Code of Practice for In-service Inspection and Testing of Electrical
Equipment, Section 8.4 Labelling.
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informed as soon as is practicable. Equipment which has failed PAT must not be put back
into use; either the fault/s must be rectified, the equipment must be retested and pass the
combined PAT OR a decision must be made to responsibly dispose of the item as waste
electrical equipment (see [Link]/ohsas/work_equipment).
What happens after PAT has been carried out?
Details of items inspected and/or tested against the inventory provided should be available
from the PAT tester within a reasonable period to confirm which equipment was inspected
and/or tested and pass or fail results. The PAT tester may also provide comments about any
significant findings.
These details will also enable the condition of equipment and the effectiveness of
maintenance programmes to be monitored by the Head of Department / Section / Business
Unit.
The Estate Management Section or facilities management provider will hold records of
inspections / testing carried out by their Electrical Team; other in-house PAT testers should
maintain their own records.
Should records of completed PAT be kept?
Yes. Whilst the law does not require records to be kept, inventories of PAT and their
outcomes help the University and those responsible for electrical equipment in their area to
keep track of their assets.
Records of maintenance should preferably be kept for at least three years after the date
when it is removed from the area or responsibly disposed of. Submitted inventories and PAT
results should be kept together by the Head of Department / Section / Business Unit. These
records are a useful management tool for reviewing the frequency of inspection and testing,
and ensuring all portable items belonging to an area have been tested. Without these
records, managers cannot be certain that inspection and/or testing have in fact been carried
out.
Records may be requested by the University or other external parties as part of an
inspection, investigation or formal audit process in order to verify that equipment is
appropriately maintained and safe to use.
What arrangements are there to dispose of electrical equipment?
Details about the disposal of waste electrical equipment and the disposal of equipment which
may have a value or could be re-used by others is covered under the Universitys Work
Equipment webpage at [Link]/ohsas/work_equipment.
Feedback
Please email any comments regarding this draft PAT Standard and supporting sections to
safety. Non University contacts should add @[Link]. Alternatively please contact the
Health and Safety Advisory Service on (01206 87) 2944. Thank you.
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