WHAT IS PAT TESTING?

Portable appliance testing (commonly known as PAT or PAT Inspection or PAT Testing) is a process by
which electrical appliances are routinely checked for safety.
Portable Appliance Testing (PAT testing process) begins by simply observating a portable appliance,
followed by a formal visual inspection, concluding with a formal inspection by a person deemed
competent to perform the testing.
PAT testers (portable appliance testers) reduce the risk of electrical shock by detecting potential safety
problems with electrical appliances before they occur.
PAT Testing is regulated by the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 in Ireland. This legislation is
implemented under Statutory Instrument S.I. No.299 of 2007, which came into force in November 2007.

WHAT IS A PORTABLE APPLIANCE?

Portable Electricial Appliance refers to electricial equipment that can be moved from one place to another
e.g. office machinery (computers, copiers, fax machines), kettles, extension leads etc. Portable
appliances usually have a lead with a plug attached.

Interested in buying a PAT Tester or learning how to do PAT Testing yourself?

Take a look at our range of PAT Testers from leading manufacturers Megger, Seaward and
Fluke. Our PAT training courses can be carried out the comfort of your office, or at our premises. Courses
can be booked as group booking or individual sessions.

PAT Testing 101

Posted on January 10, 2017

In a nutshell, Portable Appliance Testing (PAT testing process) starts with observation of a portable appliance,
followed by a formal visual inspection. The final step is a formal inspection by a person or competent to perform the
testing.
STEP 1: OBSERVATION

Simple observation is the first and very important of the PAT Testing process. For example, if while using a kettle
in the staff canteen you to notice that the plug is cracked, you should immediately let the office manager/safety
officer know.
STEP 2: FORMAL VISUAL INSPECTION

All portable appliances in the workplace, or which are made available to the public for their use, should undergo the
process of a formal visual inspection by a competent individual. For an individual to be considered competent
they should have some basic training in portable appliance testing.
The formal visual inspection requires the competent individual to visually inspect the portable appliance and look
for obvious defects such as frayed wires, cracked cables, and broken plugs. Most portable appliances with safety
issues can be identified by implementing this step.
STEP 3: COMBINED INSPECTIONS AND PAT TESTING
 The third and final step in the PAT process is the formal hands-on inspection and testing, carried out at regular set
intervals. Each piece of equipment is tested in isolation, i.e. the appliance will be disconnected from the mains
supply and all data cables will be removed.
The competent individual will then perform a number of checks, including:
Checking for damage to the outer portion of the power cable
Damage to the plug itself
Any area on the cable where tape has been applied
Signs of misuse or over usage of an item, such as rusting or smoke damage
Loose parts or screws which effect the appliances working ability or safety
Removal of the plug cover to inspect for: adequate fuses, cord grip security and integrity, three wires connected to
the correct terminals, no bare wires visible, tight terminal screws, and that there is no sign of damage, overheating,
wetness, and excessive dust or dirt.
Depending on the type of appliance, the PAT tester will then continue with a variety of formal safety tests, using a
specialist piece of equipment. This can include:
An Earth Bond Impedance Test
Insulation Resistance Test
Load Test
Operation Test
WHAT HAPPENS IF AN APPLIANCE FAILS A PAT TEST?

Simple faults may be rectified or damaged items replaced, allowing the equipment to be re-tested and passed. A
more serious fault will mean the appliance must be taken out of service and either properly repaired of safely and
legally disposed of.

Learn more about our PAT training courses or take a look at our range of PAT Testers from leading
manufacturers Megger, Seaward and Fluke.

7 Things You Should Know About Earth Bond Tests

Posted on March 6, 2017

1. Class I appliances are potentially the most dangerous appliances.

2. An earth bond test is only applicable to a class 1 appliance with exposed conductive parts.
3. A PAT tester does an Earth Bond or Earth Integrity Test, which shows whether the earth conductor is in a
satisfactory condition. A multimeter or insulation tester will only locate a fault when there is a complete break
present in the conductor.
4. The earth bond test measures the resistance of the earth from the pin of the mains supply plug to the earthed body
of the appliance and indicates how good the connection is.
5. The earth bond test probe is connected to the appliance earthed reference point and acts as a return.
6. General rule of thumb given by the IEE is that the test current chosen is 1.5 times the rated current of the
appliance, with a maximum of 25A. The pass value is normally (0.1 + R) Ohms where R is the resistance.
7. If a reading is less than 0.1 Ohms then the results is a PASS.

PAT Testing & Equipment Classification

Posted on May 2, 2017
 When PAT Testing portable appliances, it is essential for the person undertaking the inspections & testing to
determine the correct equipment classification.This is paramount, because a specific test sequence exist for each
class of equipment.
Classification of equipment are divided into three sections:

Class I Earthed Appliance

Class II Double Insulated Appliance
Class III Separated Extra Low Voltage
HOW TO IDENTIFY CLASS 1, 2 & 3 APPLIANCES

Class 1 appliances do not rely upon basic insulation only, but also include an earth connection to exposed
conductive parts. A class 1 appliance does not have a symbol indicating its classification.
Class 2 appliances contains supplementary insulation, with no provision for exposed metalwork to be connected to
earth. A class 2 appliance is identified with a double insulated marking which is a symbol of a square within a
square This symbol can be normally found on the appliance/equipment manufacturers plate.
Class 3 appliances are supplied at a low voltage (usually called Separated Extra Low Voltage) which must be less
than 50 V. These appliances are supplied with a transformer supply that is also marked.
Of course, you might want to learn from an expert on a one-to-one level. Our PAT training courses can be carried
out the comfort of your office, or at our premises. Courses can be booked as group booking or individual sessions.