PAT Testing FAQ's
- Is PAT Testing the law?
- What equipment is covered?
- Do I really need all those huge, ugly stickers plastered all over my lovely new equipment?
- Does my equipment need to be switched off for the test?
- How long will testing take?
- Could the test damage my equipment?
- What hidden extras could I be charged for?
- What will I receive after the testing?
Q. Is PAT Testing the law?
A. No. However, electrical regulations currently in force in the UK put a responsibility of "due care" on the duty holder ie. Employer, landlord etc to ensure that their electrical appliances are safe. PAT testing is an effective way to ensure that you comply with those regulations.
A. No. However, electrical regulations currently in force in the UK put a responsibility of "due care" on the duty holder ie. Employer, landlord etc to ensure that their electrical appliances are safe. PAT testing is an effective way to ensure that you comply with those regulations.
Q. What equipment is covered?
A. Generally speaking, all equipment fitted with a standard BS1363 plug is covered. This includes PCs, kettles, irons, televisions, toasters, microwaves, power tools, washing machines, vacuum cleaners etc. More specifically, The National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers (napit) define a portable appliance as 'any electrical item which can or is intended, to be moved whilst connected to an electrical supply.'
A. Generally speaking, all equipment fitted with a standard BS1363 plug is covered. This includes PCs, kettles, irons, televisions, toasters, microwaves, power tools, washing machines, vacuum cleaners etc. More specifically, The National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers (napit) define a portable appliance as 'any electrical item which can or is intended, to be moved whilst connected to an electrical supply.'
Q. Do I really need all those huge, ugly stickers plastered all over my lovely new equipment?
A. Yes and No. All equipment needs to be labelled to ensure it can be uniquely identified in the test results. However, at Bpat we only use the highest quality, discreet labels, applied to the mains cable wherever possible, plus we remove your old labels wherever possible!
A. Yes and No. All equipment needs to be labelled to ensure it can be uniquely identified in the test results. However, at Bpat we only use the highest quality, discreet labels, applied to the mains cable wherever possible, plus we remove your old labels wherever possible!
Q. Does my equipment need to be switched off for the test?
A. Yes. It is impossible to carry out a PAT test with the unit switched on. The test invariably involves a thorough inspection of the mains plug and fuse, which is impossible to do without switching the unit off. Bpat offer out of hours testing at no extra cost. This is an ideal solution for your servers and similar IT equipment which need to stay on during office hours.
A. Yes. It is impossible to carry out a PAT test with the unit switched on. The test invariably involves a thorough inspection of the mains plug and fuse, which is impossible to do without switching the unit off. Bpat offer out of hours testing at no extra cost. This is an ideal solution for your servers and similar IT equipment which need to stay on during office hours.
Q. How long will testing take?
A. This depends on the type of equipment and the layout of your site amongst other factors. Around 20 tests per hour is the average.
A. This depends on the type of equipment and the layout of your site amongst other factors. Around 20 tests per hour is the average.
Q. Could the test damage my equipment?
A. Potentially, Yes! Modern test equipment is capable of testing at high currents and voltages. Applying the wrong test to your equipment could cause irreparable damage. That is why all Bpat's engineers are fully qualified to the relevant City & Guilds standards and are covered by £5 million public liability insurance.
A. Potentially, Yes! Modern test equipment is capable of testing at high currents and voltages. Applying the wrong test to your equipment could cause irreparable damage. That is why all Bpat's engineers are fully qualified to the relevant City & Guilds standards and are covered by £5 million public liability insurance.
Q. What hidden extras could I be charged for?
A. Bpat's per-test pricing includes almost everything needed for typical appliance testing. This includes test reports, labels, minor repairs and re-tests, replacement plugs, fuses etc. Additionally, our engineers carry a number of spare leads, extension cables etc. meaning that should a similar item be beyond repair, we can replace them at your discretion and at reasonable cost, saving you downtime and inconvenient trips to the hardware store!
A. Bpat's per-test pricing includes almost everything needed for typical appliance testing. This includes test reports, labels, minor repairs and re-tests, replacement plugs, fuses etc. Additionally, our engineers carry a number of spare leads, extension cables etc. meaning that should a similar item be beyond repair, we can replace them at your discretion and at reasonable cost, saving you downtime and inconvenient trips to the hardware store!
*Quick Fact!
There are around 1000 electrical accidents in the workplace each year, involving some 30 deaths!
There are around 1000 electrical accidents in the workplace each year, involving some 30 deaths!
Your session with Bpat commenced on Wed.Jan.2009
