Health & Safety Services
Portable Appliance Testing Guidance
Table of Contents
1.
Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 3
2.
Definitions ............................................................................................................................ 3
3.
Risk Assessment ................................................................................................................. 4
3.1 Points based approach ............................................................................................... 4
4.
Frequently Asked Questions.............................................................................................. 11
4.1 Does new electrical equipment require PAT? ........................................................... 11
4.2 Does second hand equipment or any electrical equipment purchased online or from
auction sites require PAT? ........................................................................................ 11
4.3 Does electrical equipment on hire, lease or loan require PAT? ................................ 11
4.4 Does personal electrical equipment require PAT? .................................................... 12
4.5 Who is authorised to carry out formal visual inspections, combined PAT,
modifications or repairs? ........................................................................................... 12
4.6 How often should PAT be carried out? ...................................................................... 12
4.7 Should an inventory of electrical equipment requiring PAT be kept? ........................ 13
4.8 Can prohibited or dangerous electrical equipment be used? .................................... 13
4.9 How should personally owned electrical equipment be disposed of? ........................ 13
4.10 How should PAT be arranged? ................................................................................. 14
4.11 Should equipment that has received PAT be labelled and if so, how? ...................... 14
4.12 One or more items of electrical equipment have failed their PAT. What happens
next? ......................................................................................................................... 14
4.13 What happens after PAT has been carried out? ....................................................... 14
4.14 Should records of completed PAT be kept? .............................................................. 15
4.15 What if we do not have the technical resource to carry out PAT? ............................. 15
5.
Review ............................................................................................................................... 15
6.
Ratification ......................................................................................................................... 15
2
1.
Introduction
The recently updated 4th edition of the Code of Practice for In- Service Inspection
and Testing of Electrical Equipment provides the latest guidance for complying with
the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989.
The changes to the document attempt to explain the misunderstandings which
people have regarding the frequency of PAT tests (Portable Appliances Testing),
which appliances require regular checks, the responsibilities of duty- holders and
what to do if external contractors are used to conduct the work.
2.
Definitions
CLASS I EQUIPMENT
These items of equipment contain live electrical parts which are protected by basic
insulation and a metal enclosure or accessible metal parts that could become live in
the event of failure of the basic insulation through indirect contact. Protection against
shock from this type of equipment is by basic insulation and earth via the casing, the
circuit protective conductor (CPC) in the supply cable and the fixed wiring.
Typical Class I items include extension cables, fridges, toasters, kettles, autoclaves,
some electrical heaters, most printers, most photocopiers, centrifuges, freezers,
microwave ovens, furnaces, lathes, pillar drills etc.
This type of equipment displays the following Class I symbol:
CLASS II EQUIPMENT
This type of equipment is commonly known as double insulated equipment. These
items have live parts encapsulated in basic and supplementary insulation (double),
or one layer of reinforced insulation equivalent to double insulation.
If the item has a metal casing (for mechanical protection) it does not require an earth
as the strength of the insulation will prevent such metalwork becoming live under
fault conditions. The cable supplying this type of equipment will normally be two
core.
3
Examples of Class II equipment would include adaptor/power supply units, radios,
TVs, some electrical heaters, desk lamp/fan, some printers, some photocopiers,
scanners, relevant mains leads to IT equipment etc. This type of equipment displays
the following Class II symbol:
NOTE: Where an item of electrical equipment is not clearly marked with the
above Class II symbol it MUST be treated as class I electrical equipment
3.
Risk Assessment
To assist in determining electrical safety and the frequency and testing of electrical
equipment a risk assessment approach should be used to determine the inspection
and testing requirements. Some Schools and Directorates may prefer to elect to use
one of the University’s approved external providers to carry out the assessment and
testing of equipment if appropriate resources are not available.
The inspection and testing requirements for different types of equipment, varying
frequencies of use and the environment in which it is used will vary from area to
area.
To assist in the categorisation of testing requirements a simple points system can be
used. The process is described below:
3.1
Points based approach
Equipment can be classified into three basic risk groups using simple points based
calculation of risk to determine whether the equipment falls into a high, medium or
low risk category. These risk groups are described below:
Group A; any class of equipment which is determined by risk assessment to be in a
high risk use/environment.
Group B; any class of equipment which is in normal daily use in accordance
manufacturer’s guidance and operating instructions.
Group C; any class of equipment which is determined by risk assessment to have
infrequent daily use or is a portable item which remains in situ throughout its
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serviceable life, and is used in accordance with manufacturer’s guidance and
operating instructions.
Method
Starting with a base value of ‘0’ points;
Add 2 points if the item is used in a wet or corrosive environment OR uses water or
a corrosive substance in its operation. (e.g. Kettle, autoclave)
Add 2 points if the item has a flexible supply cord that is subject to frequent flexing
OR is subject to harsh treatment (Student facing perhaps).
Add 1 point if the item has a heating element OR 240V electric motor.
If the sum of the above is;
2 points or more, the equipment is a GROUP A item, High Risk
1 point, the equipment is a GROUP B item, Medium Risk
0 points, the equipment is GROUP C item, Low Risk
From this we might consider equipment in group B would be subject to testing and
inspection in accordance with the IET code of practice guidelines, group A
equipment would indicate a need for more frequent testing and group C less frequent
testing
Taking two worked examples;
Example 1)
A desktop computer which once installed in an office environment remains in situ
until the end of its life;
Starting with the base value of 0.
Add 0 points because the equipment is not used in a wet or corrosive environment
or uses water or a corrosive substance in its operation.
Add 0 points because the flexible supply cord is not subject to frequent flexing or is
subject to harsh treatment.
Add 0 points because the item does not contain a heating element or a 24V electric
motor.
Total score = 0+0+0+0 = 0
The equipment is group C – low risk (Less frequent testing)
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Example 2)
A portable LCD projector which is frequently moved from location to location and
during use gets hot.
Starting with the base value of 0.
Add 0 points because the equipment is not used in a wet or corrosive environment
or uses water or a corrosive substance in its operation.
Add 2 points because the item has a flexible supply cord that is subject to frequent
flexing and is subject to harsh treatment.
Add 1 point because the item has a lamp (heating element).
Total score = 0+0+2+1 = 3
The equipment is group A – High Risk (More frequent testing)
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Table 1 – Variation to test frequency based on equipment group
Eqpt.
Type
Eqpt.
Class
I /II
I
Eqpt.
Risk
Group
A
C
A
Handheld
II
C
A
I
C
Portable
A
II
C
I
C
Stationary
& IT
II
Fixed
A
A
C
Single & 3 Phase
Equipment
Guide
Heavy / frequent use; harsh environments; high potential for damage / misuse/cable
damage etc. E.g. Heavy engineering workshops, Wet laboratories, corrosive environments
Benign environment, light infrequent use, low potential for damage / misuse, not frequently
moved etc. Research laboratories, electrical workshops, building maintenance equipment
Heavy / frequent use, harsh environments, high potential for damage / misuse / cable
damage etc. E.g. Heavy engineering workshops, laboratories or corrosive environments
Benign environment, Light infrequent use, low potential for damage / misuse etc.
Research Laboratories, electrical workshops, building maintenance equipment. Extension
Leads.
Heavy / frequent use, harsh environment, high potential for damage / misuse/cable
damage etc. Heavy engineering , Some laboratories wet or corrosive environments
Benign environment, Light infrequent use/movement, low potential for damage / misuse
etc. Research & teaching laboratories and associated equipment, light engineering
workshops.
Heavy / frequent use, harsh environment, high potential for damage / misuse/cable
damage etc. Heavy engineering workshops & some wet Laboratories Or corrosive
environments
Benign environment, Light infrequent use/movement, low potential for damage / misuse
etc. Research & teaching laboratories and associated equipment, light engineering
workshops.
Operating in harsh environment or potential for damage / being struck by other equipment
/cable damage etc. E.g. engineering workshop, research & teaching laboratories
Benign environment, low risk of damage. E.g. offices etc.
Visual
Inspection
Daily before
use
Daily before
use
Daily before
use
Formal VI On
acquisition &
Daily before
use
Formal VI On
acquisition
Formal VI On
acquisition
Combined
inspection and
test
On acquisition &
6 + 1 months
On acquisition &
12 + 2 months
On acquisition &
6 + 2 months
24 + 2 months
6 + 2 months
12 + 3 months
Formal VI On
acquisition
12 + 3 months
Formal VI On
acquisition
24 + 3 months
Formal VI On
acquisition
Formal VI On
acquisition
Operating in harsh environment or potential for damage / being struck by other equipment Formal VI On
/cable damage etc. E.g. engineering workshops, research & teaching laboratories.
acquisition
Benign environment, low risk of damage. E.g. offices etc.
Formal VI On
acquisition
May fall into any of the above categories, but is single and 3-phase equipment, connected Refer to
by means of a cord or cable, to a fused or un-fused connection unit or isolator (hard wired). estates
12 + 3 months
24 + 3 months
24 + 3 months
24 – 48 months
Refer to estates
Source: HSE
Note that in each case an additional period of time has been added to provide a window of time in which to complete testing
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Table 2 – Variation to test frequencies
Further guidance on high risk environments (Group A)
Area / Work
Environment
Examples
Laboratory Computers
Information technology
Equipment in offices or
computer suites
Type of test applicable and guide frequency
Combined PAT
Simple
Formal
Rarely moved Computer
equipment (e.g. mains
extension cables) in
service risers, server
rooms
Teaching rooms
Lecture rooms
Visual
Check
Visual
Inspection
(Note: may be required
earlier in some
Circumstances. See ‘PAT
explained’)
Yes
No
12 – 48 months
depending on lab
Yes
No
24 months or via
scheduled
maintenance
Yes
No
Hire or lease company to
carry out combined PAT
before delivery.
Audio Visual equipment
Laboratory
Workshop
Estates management
Equipment issued on loan
Any audio visual
equipment which is
hired, leased or loaned
Laboratory testing,
analysis, research,
autoclaves and similar
equipment
Any equipment issued to
students
Portable drill
Soldering iron
Portable pump
Mains operated saw
Mains operated sander
Vacuum cleaners
Equipment loaned:
 To students
 For an event or;
 Supplementary
Heaters or fans
(approved by Estates)
Yes (Before use)
Yes, before use
User to check
PAT label
or record is in
date before
use
No
Any Contract or lease
agreement should
stipulate responsibilities
for ongoing electrical
inspection, testing and
Maintenance.
In general PAT testing of
hired equipment
becomes the
responsibility of the hirer
for periods longer than
one week
Annual
Treat as ‘loaned’ equipment below as appropriate
Yes, before use
No
Annual
Yes, before use
No
6 monthly
Yes (By User)
Before
issue or on
return
Annual, responsibility of
person loaning
equipment unless
otherwise agreed
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Class
Further guidance on Low risk environments (Group C)
Area / Work
Environment
Second hand
equipment
Contractor owned
equipment, including
sub
contractors
Battery operated:
Less than 40 volts
Examples
any
Portable electrical
equipment to be
used on University
premises
any
Portable electrical
equipment to be
used on University
premises e.g. used
by maintenance
contractors,
-
Battery charging
equipment with
transformer or USB
connection built into
plug
-
-
Mains supply, extra
low voltage:
Less than 50 volts AC
-
Information
technology
equipment
I, II1
Visual
Check
Visual
Inspection


Rechargeable
battery charger
Laptops
Any charger with
a 240 volt flex
between plug &
charger
 Tablet type PC
charger
 Mobile phone
charger
 Low voltage desk
light
 Phone with
digital display
 Answer machine
 Desktop PC
 Laptop
 Notepad / tablet
 Printer
 Portable LCD
projector
(Note: may be required
earlier in some
Circumstances. See ‘PAT
explained’)
On receipt before use,
then according to
equipment type
or local rules
Person assigning work /
appointing contractor to
check PAT label is in
date OR
Yes
No
Yes, by
contractor
Required
should the
equipment
become
faulty
Contractor to provide
written record of
combined PAT for
electrical equipment to
be used OR
Written agreement in
place. Lead contractor is
responsible for ensuring
all equipment has
up-to-date combined
PAT.
Battery charged:
 Drill
 Screwdriver

Battery charging
equipment plugged
into
mains
Type of test applicable and guide frequency
Combined PAT
Simple
Formal
No
Yes
Yes,
Variable
between 1 &
3 Years
No
Yes
No
No
Yes
No
No
Yes
Class II:
3 years
Class I: 24-48 months
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Class
Further guidance on Low risk environments (Group C)
Area / Work
Environment
Office equipment:
Not hand-held during
use, rarely moved
I, II1
Hand-held
equipment:
Earthed
I1
Portable
equipment:
Earthed
I1
Larger equipment
rarely moved
I1
Portable
equipment:
(Double insulated)
Cables (leads and plugs
connected to the
above) and mains
voltage
extension leads
Plug-in Residual
Current Devices
(RCD’s)
Vending machines
II1
I
1
-
I1
Type of test applicable and guide frequency
Combined PAT
Simple
Formal
Examples







Large printer
Photocopier
Fax machine
Shredder
Scanner
Laminator
Desk / pedestal
lamp
 Desk / pedestal
fan
Tools and other
equipment labelled
as Class I
 Electric kettle
 Toaster
 Coffee maker
 Equipment which
reaches high
temperatures
 Water cooler
 Fridge / freezer
 Cooker
 Dishwasher
Visual
Check
Visual
Inspection
(Note: may be required
earlier in some
Circumstances. See ‘PAT
explained’)
Yes
Class II:
3 years
Class I: 24-48 months
Yes
No
Annual
Yes
No
Annual
On installation or
if moved
No
24 months
 Microscopes
Yes
No
24 months
 Cables
 Extension leads
 Multi-way
adaptors
Yes
No
Variable between 1 & 3
years dependant on
equipment connected to
 Portable RCD
Yes, check ‘test’
button at time of
use and for
cracks or damage
Annual
Test at same time as
equipment it is used to
protect
Any
Yes
Responsibility for
maintenance inc PAT to be
confirmed when
contract is made with
supplier; annual minimum
In general PAT testing of
hired equipment becomes
the responsibility of the
hirer for periods longer
than one week
1Schools
may need to seek competent advice when identifying classes of
equipment
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4.
Frequently Asked Questions
4.1
Does new electrical equipment require PAT?
Generally 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 then be updated with the details of the new electrical equipment and the
check / testing carried out.
Note: It is normal practice for either a formal visual inspection or combined PAT to be
carried out before electrical equipment is issued and connected to the mains supply
for the first time, or on each occasion it is moved or taken out of storage to ensure
equipment is electrically safe and suitable for the environment where it will be used.
4.2
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 for use at the University and comply with European and/or UK legislation and
standards. If in doubt, arrange for a combined PAT. The inventory for that area
should then be updated with the details of any newly acquired electrical equipment.
4.3
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 leaser. 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:

Schools using leased equipment such as vending machines, photocopiers,
cleaning equipment etc.

Events that use sound and lighting equipment which is hired in for the
duration of an event.
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This type of equipment may be susceptible to damage due to continual handling,
packing for storage or transportation.
Where electrical equipment is on long-term hire, leased for the duration of a contract
or issued on a loan basis, whether chargeable or not, the School / Directorate /
Students Union who loan the equipment is responsible for carrying out on-going PAT
testing.
4.4
Does personal electrical equipment require PAT?
Any privately owned electrical equipment which is used in the course of University
work or study by staff or students must undergo PAT where it is approved and used
for University purposes. Such equipment should be included in the inventory of
electrical equipment for the area in which it is / will be used. The minimum frequency
of PAT should be in accordance with the tables in ‘Low risk environments’ and
‘Higher risk environments and activities’, or within local rules where more frequent
PAT may be required.
Where there are concerns about the suitability of personally owned electrical
equipment being connected to the UK mains supply or where a safety check is
required, the responsible person for the School / Directorate / Students Union can
arrange for a competent person to carry out a formal visual inspection or combined
PAT – Electrical Safety. (NB: Low voltage equipment such as mobile phone and
IPAD chargers only requires simple visual checks).
4.5
Who is authorised to carry out formal visual inspections,
combined PAT, modifications or repairs?
Only suitable competent persons are permitted to carry out any maintenance or
repair work to electrical equipment
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 must be retained by
each School / Directorate.
4.6
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.
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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.
4.7
Should an inventory of electrical equipment requiring PAT be
kept?
Yes. The inventory should specify all University owned portable and moveable
electrical equipment. It is not necessary to 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 and the PAT process will be more efficient. By providing an
inventory, the PAT testers will know which equipment needs testing and where it is
located. This should minimise the duration that electrical equipment will not be
available for 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. Inventories and accompanying test
results provided by PAT testers must be held locally.
4.8
Can prohibited or dangerous electrical equipment be used?
No. Certain electrical equipment is prohibited from use in offices and/or study
bedrooms because they present a significant risk of fire and/or electrocution.
If dangerous electrical equipment is found dangerous is found it will be isolated
and/or removed where it is safe to do so. Reasonable attempts will be made to
contact the owner who will be advised of the reasons for removal and how any
deficiencies can be corrected.
4.9
How should personally owned electrical equipment be
disposed of?
Under the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations 2006,
electrical and electronic waste must be disposed of responsibly and recycled where
possible. This means it must not be put into landfill via normal waste bins.
Equipment covered by these Regulations will show a symbol, a wheelie bin with a
cross through it.
There are a number of ways to recycle unwanted electrical equipment, you can:




ask the supplier if they'll take products back;
arrange for a contractor to collect the equipment through the University WEEE
disposal scheme;
arrange for an electrical supplier delivering new equipment to take away the
unwanted one;
take privately owned appliances to the local re-cycling centre.
13
4.10
How should PAT be arranged?
It is responsibility of the School / Directorate 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), School Health and Safety
Officer(HSO) or similarly appointed person so that timely arrangements can be
made. This may be organised by accessing the local inventory database (Commonly
Patguard or similar) of all portable electrical equipment requiring PAT in your area.
Similarly, where Schools /Directorates do not have an appointed person or
authorised PAT tester arrangements, PAT can be arranged through one of the
universities approved providers.
4.11
Should equipment that has received PAT be labelled and if
so, how?
Equipment which 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. Equipment which has failed the inspection / test should be
removed from service and quarantined. See item l).
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-testing
4.12
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.
Any items which have not passed their PAT must be promptly quarantined so that
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
informed as soon as is practicable. Equipment which has failed PAT must not be put
back into service until the fault/s have been rectified and the equipment has been
retested and passed the combined PAT. Alternatively a decision can be made to
responsibly dispose of the item as waste electrical equipment in compliance with the
WEEE regulations.
4.13
What happens after PAT has been carried out?
Details of items contained in the inventory which have been inspected and/or tested
should be readily available from the PAT tester within a reasonable time period to
14
confirm which equipment was inspected and/or tested and passed / failed. The PAT
tester may also provide comments about any significant findings.
These details will enable the condition of equipment and the effectiveness of
maintenance programmes to be monitored by the Schools / Directorates appointed
person.
4.14
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 safe electrical equipment.
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 School / Directorate
appointed person. 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 for use.
4.15
What if we do not have the technical resource to carry out
PAT?
Where Schools / Directorates do not have the in-house capability to carry out PAT
the School / Directorate may arrange testing to be carried out through one of the
University’s approved contractors.
5.
Review
This document will be reviewed at least every two years.
6.
Ratification
This guidance was developed by Health and Safety Services and the School of
Engineering and Informatics and approved by the Health and Safety Committee on
11 February 2014.
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