PAT Testing - needed for every leccy device?

Bigphil1474

OP, Andy L had it spot on. I work in elf n safety for a local council. My employer PA tests most things every 5 years, but any trades tools and the like are done every 6 months, or sometimes less than that.

Annually testing everything is often seen as easier because you know when it's due and it's like a birthday for all your appliances, but isn't a requirement. If you want to make it easier you could do an inventory of all your appliances, decide which ones need testing every year, and which might be every 2, 3 or 5 years, or possibly never. The HSE have a handy guide HSG107 - https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/hsg107.htm which you can download a copy for free. This gives you an idea of frequencies, which might reduce the amount of stuff you need to check each year.

For office equipment, (technology rarely moved, eg desktop computers, photocopiers, fax machines), formal visual inspection every 2-4 years, Combined inspection and testing not needed if double insulated, otherwise every 5 years. 

The best bit about HSE guidance is, that if you follow it, you aren't likely to go wrong, and you can't really be prosecuted for following HSE guidance.

ThisIsWeird

Fab. Thank you. I'll check it all out, and offer my suggestion to the UMT.

Cheers everybody. :-)

Jonboy_1984

The key to your argument is really that it’s a Portable Appliance Test. If the PC, printer, fridge and microwave don’t move then don’t treat them as portable.

Visually inspect them once a year for obvious damage or deterioration, and record it in a diary or log sheet somewhere and move on. Get a a fuller inspection done every few years….if the equipment lasts in service that long.

Risteard

ThisIsWeird said:

Oooh, £4 sounds much safer than 45pee to me

Indeed it is much safer.

ThisIsWeird

Risteard said:

ThisIsWeird said:

Oooh, £4 sounds much safer than 45pee to me

Indeed it is much safer.

'Much'? Could you quantify more accurately how much safer than MMMUK's guy?

MattMattMattUK

If it was going to cost £4 per device I would go on the course, buy the machine and do it myself.

FFHillbilly

MattMattMattUK said:

If it was going to cost £4 per device I would go on the course, buy the machine and do it myself.

or replace the items every 3 years. holiday lets and hotel room items for example like kettle, toaster, iron, hairdryer are quite cheap, if you spend £4/year testing them that amounts to more than the items worth, it's probably a better idea to just replace the items in the room and sell the old ones every 3 years
Also, a legitimate way of getting out of testing items are either to connect them using a fused connection unit, if it's not a portable item then you don't need to test it.

Eldi_Dos

ThisIsWeird said:

Oooh, £4 sounds much safer than 45pee to me

    Well it could be the difference between a cursory and a considered check.If the tester has say thirty twenty metre          leads to check correctly they might find themselves below NMW if only getting  45 pence per item.
    I have had a wry smile when most people seem to consider these checks a bit onerous, I used to enjoy when it            came round every year because I got a saturday and sunday shift out of it assisting the guy doing the testing.                Part of the process was that  a toolbox talk was given soon after reminding staff of their responsibility to check              equipment and leads as and when they used them and not rely on a little sticker for safety.

Risteard

MattMattMattUK said:

If it was going to cost £4 per device I would go on the course, buy the machine and do it myself.

My PAT tester is worth well North of a grand plus VAT.

Risteard

FFHillbilly said:

MattMattMattUK said:

If it was going to cost £4 per device I would go on the course, buy the machine and do it myself.

or replace the items every 3 years. holiday lets and hotel room items for example like kettle, toaster, iron, hairdryer are quite cheap, if you spend £4/year testing them that amounts to more than the items worth, it's probably a better idea to just replace the items in the room and sell the old ones every 3 years
Also, a legitimate way of getting out of testing items are either to connect them using a fused connection unit, if it's not a portable item then you don't need to test it.

Not correct. Items connected via a FCU still come under In-service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment (PAT testing) and would cost more to inspect and test.