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JasonSlater.co.uk Technology News Blog | November 25, 2013

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Portable Appliance Testing

Welcome to the Portable Appliance Testing section.

  • What is Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) ?
  • Is PAT a legal requirement
  • What is the process for becoming a PAT tester?
  • What PAT devices are available?
  • Join the discussion

What is Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) ?

PAT, or Portable Appliance Testing, is a mechanism for regularly, and formally, checking portable electrical equipment to assess whether it is safe for use.

PAT includes a number of methods for testing including electrical testing and visual inspection. Some of the tests may include things such as visually checking flex cord condition, insulation resistance testing, and functional testing of equipment.

Is PAT a legal requirement?

There is some grey area here as PAT itself is not a legal requirement however UK employers, under the Health & Safety at Work Act (1974) and The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, have a legal responsibility to ensure the equipment in use does not present a danger to the user. In particular, The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 states under section 4(2):

(2) As may be necessary to prevent danger, all systems shall be maintained so as to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, such danger.

Regular equipment inspection, such as Portable Appliance Testing, is one way of ensuring equipment is assessed formally and regularly.

Additionally, PAT is usually incorporated in a company Health & Safety policy.

What is the process for becoming a PAT tester?

You need to pass the City and Guilds 2377 Certification process.

There are two levels to this the most common of being the 200 which is usually taken by people who will actually carry out equipment testing. The 100 path is for those who manage the process. However, it is typical for both certifications to be taken together.

The tests usually last for around 90 minutes and consist of around 45 multi-choice questions based around the IEE Code of Practice for In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment (3rd edition).

What PAT devices are available?

Six Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) Equipment Devices

Join the discussion

If you are actively involved in the PAT community, or just have an interest or question about PAT, then head over to the PAT Discussion where the PAT experts may be able to help.