FAQ’s

This page involves a huge amount of information; if you can’t find the answer to your question, or simply can’t be bothered to look for it, please send us an email and we will reply. It is ok if your question is simply for knowledge or advice.

Equipment

We use Seaward testing Equipment, mainly the Europa Plus Testing machine

Practical Limitations

Systems such as file servers, mail servers, network switches/hubs and telecommunications equipment will not be inspected/tested by us without the express permission of the client.

All equipment to be tested has to be disconnected from the mains, so any items such as the above will not be tested without the express permission of the client. This also goes for any items displaying notices such as “do not switch off”.

Equipment such as video recorders, clocks, central heating system timers, burglar alarms, etc. that loose their programmed memory when disconnected from mains voltage, will (for this reason) only be unplugged and inspected/tested by me with the express permission of the client, and it is the responsibility of the client to arrange for reprogramming of this equipment, if necessary.

Please make sure that the equipment that you want inspected/tested is on site when I arrive! This is particularly important in the case of laptop computer and mobile phone chargers, projectors, power tools, etc. NB. In the case of equipment that is powered by a rechargeable battery, such as battery hand-held power tools, mobile phones, laptop computers, etc., you only need to supply me with the charger; I don't need access to the equipment itself.

I can only test items that have either a standard 240 volt three-pin plug or a 16 Amp 240 volt (blue) or 110 volt (yellow), or 415 volt (red) round plug/socket attached; electric cookers, water heaters, large built-in radiators, electric heaters, etc. that are directly wired into a fused outlet will not be tested as this would necessitate the switching off of the electricity at the mains (something which would inconvenience everyone) and also the dismantling of the fused outlet. This also is not then classed as a Portable Appliance.

Microwave Leakage Tests

Please see the microwave leakage page for more information

What is PAT Testing?

PAT Testing, or by its full name; Portable Appliance Testing, or as it is known in the industry “In-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment” is a specialist area. Suitably trained, qualified and competent persons use their own skills and knowledge, as well as a range of specialist equipment, and the IEE Code of Practice to ascertain the safety of your electrical equipment, through carrying out a number of tests on each appliance. An appliance is tested to confirm its safety for use.

PAT Testing gives you the peace of mind that equipment in your workplace is safe to be used by you, your staff and clients.

Do I have to have my electrical equipment PAT Tested?

PAT Testing is becoming more and more of a requirement for all business within the UK, and due to legislation it is the duty of both employers and employees to ensure the safety of all persons in the work place.

Whether or not you have your appliances tested is up to you; I can’t tell you that you have to do it. If you don’t have your equipment tested you’re putting yourself, your staff and your clients at risk, and ultimately this could lead to problems in the future, whether legally, through the HSE or your insurer.

What is a Portable Appliance?

Putting it simply, a portable appliance is any piece of electrical equipment that is powered from a plug, inserted into a wall socket. This could be an extension lead, adaptor, drill, hair dryer, PC or fridge, as well as millions of other items. See the Appliance Gallery for examples.

Any of these items could cause electric shock to the user, or be a fire risk to a business. Having your items tested gives piece of mind that if the item continues to be kept in good working order, and is handled appropriately then these risks will be kept to a minimum.

Be Safe not sorry

Many insurance companies now require all electrical equipment to be tested regularly or they may cause your insurance to be invalid. Not being PAT Tested is similar to failing to tell your car insurer when you change your car – it could deem it invalid, and this would cause you problems and much expense when you make a claim, or someone claims against you.

Where will we go to work?

We are not restricted in our movement, and can come to you, wherever you are. We will operate anywhere across the UK (initial fees vary).

Do you have to give notice?

Notice for bookings is not always required. We reserve one day every week for emergency bookings, however please if possible give as much notice as possible, as it may be that that one day has already been booked. If your testing has been kept up to date, you will have known for the past year that the re-test is due.

How often do I have to be tested?

This is dependant upon the industry you are in; this could be every six months (which is rare), the more general, annually, or in some cases, upto 4 years. When we review your appliances we can advise of this. We will always be honest with you, where it has been known that some testers we test your equipment every year when it is not required. What is often found in locations, is that some items will have to be tested annually and some upto every 4 years.

Once your PAT Testing is being managed by us, we will establish a programme; so that you always know how often items have to be tested.

Do I have to remember when I am next due a test?

No, we can do this for you. All items will have test stickers attached with a retest date put on it. We will also contact you one month prior to your next test date to arrange when to come to test your items.

Do you manage our PAT Testing schedule for us?

Yes, we can. If you agree to us becoming your PAT Test contractor, we will complete your initial testing, and then set up a programme so that all subsequent testing is completed in a timely manner, so you’re testing is never out of date. You will never have to remember re-test dates again.

Tests carried out

Different items require different tests, these could include any of the following; visual test, earth bond test, load test, earth leakage, polarity, insulation and touch current. Apart from the visual test, these are done as an electrical test using a machine.
If an item fails a visual test, the electrical test will not be carried out.

Appliance Classification

Electrical equipment is broken down into 3 main classes, and then each of these is broken down further. There is no real need for you to know the class; this will be ascertained by the inspector at time of testing.

Class 1: This is an appliance that has an earth connection from the mains supply (earth wire in the plug). E.g. Toaster, fan heater, grinder

Class 2: This has no earth connection, and the user is protected by double insulation, e.g.. Power drill

Class 3: This equipment operates for a power supply less than 50v AC and has basic insulation with no earth metal work. Christmas lights

When testing appliances with an IEC Lead the lead is tested as a separate item to the appliance. IT equipment is treated as specialised and although generally a class 1 item, the Earth Bond test will not be carried out, as it may damage the computer workings inside.

Furthermore when testing a microwave, a leakage test for radiation is carried out. This is an additional test to ensure too much radiation is not escaping. This is to prevent health problems for users.

These are all relevant tests, set out in the Health and Safety Guidelines, and 17th Edition.

Pricing

Pricing is dependant upon the number of items to be tested, your location, how many site visits are required, etc. We don’t advertise saying we will do your testing for 49p like some companies, what we promise is a fair, competitive price for an very high standard of service.

The best thing to do is contact us for a quote, if you know how many items you have we can base the quote on that or we can come to your location to discuss and count.

We charge an initial fee including first 10 or 15 items, then individual item fee after that; all this is explained in a quotation

We don’t charge ‘per day’ or ‘per hour’ when PAT Testing.

A Microwave test costs £10.00 per appliance

If we replace a plug or fuse we do charge a small fee, however, by not replacing the item will fail. This reduces your need for a re-test. This also helps to keep your fees low, unlike some companies we only charge you for what you have received, not what someone else has. For example some companies charge a higher fee to include their costs for replacing plugs or fuses, but you may not need any replacing, and so you are paying for something you have not got, which is unfair.

If the flex requires replacing or an item repairing we will offer a quote, but will not do the work at the time of testing; often it is cheaper for you simply to replace the item.

History

We keep client certificates on file for 10 years; you are given a copy initially, which if you lose and need replacements, we can do at a fee of £2.00 per individual item or £20.00 for the full pack.

Electrical Prices

Electrical pricing is dependant upon the job, including labour fee.

Customer Offers

We offer a deal whereby if a client pays us within 7 days we will give 10% reduction off their next invoice.

If you pay us within 7 days of the date of our invoice, and your payment is cleared within that time, we will discount your next invoice by 10%. Please be aware of this if you pay by cheque.

We GUARANTEE to beat any genuine like for like quote

If you receive a quote from another company which is for less than ours, and can prove it by showing us a copy of that quote, on letter-headed paper, we will guarantee to beat that quote by at least 2p per item. Sometimes, more, dependant upon number of items.

Legal Information

The legal information associated with PAT Testing, and electrical work can be mind boggling, to help you get to the main parts that are essential, for PAT Testing, we have compiled the following information for you:

All Schools, Colleges, Hotels, B&B’s, Offices, Shops, Medical Practices, Social Clubs, Public Houses, Restaurants, Nightclubs, Theatres, or any other working environment used by the public or not should be aware that fire caused by an electrical fault may deem your insurance null and void, if the premises are not in possession of a valid PAT certificate, and ALL appliances clearly marked with a dated PASS label. This also is for legal action against them by employees or members of the public who have suffered from electrical shock from their appliance.

The PAT Test does not mean the item is safe for the period until the next test is due, but states that is was safe when the test was carried out, and providing it continues to be used in a safe manner and is maintained appropriately you will be covered.

Not being in possession of a current PAT certificate can also affect your Public Liability Insurance if the need to claim should arrive.

This is also relevant to members of the entertainment industry; such as singers, groups, comedians etc. or anyone else who provides their own electrical equipment such as P.A.’s, lighting etc. Many hotels, pubs and ALL holiday parks ask to see a current PAT certificate before allowing an act to set up equipment.
It is a legal requirement that electrical equipment, and in particular the items being used in the workplace are, in simple terms, 'safe, well-maintained and suitable for the purpose for which it is being used' - at all times. It is not the inspection and testing that is the legal requirement, but the fact that the electrical equipment, at all times, must be 'safe, well-maintained and suitable for the purpose for which it is being used'. And the penalties for non-compliance can be severe: in certain cases, unlimited fines and imprisonment, not to mention the harm done to someone in the event of a serious electric shock, or the damage done to property in the case of a fire (more than 2,500 people are either killed or injured as a result of electrical fires in the UK every year, and more than thirty people are directly killed by electric shock); the only way to ensure an appliance is safe, well maintained and suitable, is to have it checked by a competent person, I.e. a PAT Tester!

The only way that we can determine whether electrical equipment is safe, well-maintained and suitable for the purpose for which it is being used (the legal requirement), is if it is routinely, formally visually-inspected and instrument-tested ('PAT Tested').

Therefore, PAT Testing is implicit in the need to ensure that such equipment, at the time of inspection and testing at least, is indeed 'safe, well-maintained and suitable for the purpose for which it is being used'. Look across the room now at a piece of electrical equipment, perhaps a computer, water cooler, toaster, fridge, etc. Can you tell if its earth wire is internally in contact with the exposed metal work? How good is the insulation? What state are the wires inside the plug? Are the live and neutral wires reversed at either the plug end or inside the appliance? (the appliance would still function, but is potentially very dangerous). Is that slight shock that you and your colleagues get from it several times a week really just static? Without formal visual inspection and testing, how can we know if equipment is safe, whether it needs to be repaired or disposed of, or otherwise appropriately dealt with? In other words, whether it is compliant with the following legislations;

The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989

The purpose of this act is to prevent death or injury from any electrical cause as a result of, or in connection with, work activities. The Act covers all electrical equipment, from simple battery-powered torches up to 400,000 Volt power lines!

Very importantly, with reference to electrical systems in the workplace, Regulation 4(2) of this Act states quite clearly: "As may be necessary to prevent danger, all systems shall be maintained so as to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, such danger."

To know that an item, has an underlying problem that requires maintenance, said item requires a PAT Test.

The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

This Act puts a duty of care upon both employer and employee to ensure the safety of all persons at the workplace, including the self-employed.

Specifically, Section 2(1) of the Act puts on employers a general duty of care to its employees:
"It shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all his employees."

To ensure the health, safety and welfare of employees a PAT Certificate is required, as this shows the employer is taken action to ensure they are acting upon their duty of care.

The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER)

Regulation 4(1) of this act states:
"Every employer shall ensure that work equipment is so constructed or adapted as to be suitable for the purpose for which it is used or provided."

Regulation 4(3) requires that:
"Every employer shall ensure that work equipment is used only for operations for which, and under conditions for which, it is suitable."

Regulation 5(1) states:
"Every employer shall ensure that work equipment is maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair."

NB. 'Efficient' is defined as how the condition of the equipment might affect health and safety; it is not concerned with productivity.

The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994

This Act, which came into force on 9 January, 1995 and operates as secondary legislation to the Consumer Protection Act 1987, is mostly concerned with electrical equipment provided by 'suppliers'. All suppliers of electrical goods must ensure that the goods that they supply are safe so that there is no risk to ' people, animals, or property'. Under both of these Acts, landlords and owners of residential care homes, etc. that provide electrical equipment for use by the tenants or residents in the 'course of business', are liable as 'suppliers'. The legislation covers all mains voltage equipment, including washing machines, fridges, cookers, kettles, toasters, electric blankets, etc.

Buildings insurance, public performances, market stalls, etc. - testing may be required
More and more now, some insurance companies are refusing to provide cover for businesses and other organisations if they cannot provide evidence of having had their electrical equipment PAT tested. Similarly, many performance venues, including small sites such as community halls, etc., are not allowing public performances unless the performers can demonstrate that their equipment has an up-to-date PAT Testing certificate. If you are planning an event, check in plenty of time whether the owners of the venue have a policy that all performers using their own electrical equipment have an up-to-date PAT Testing certificate; you may not be able to book a PAT Tester in time!

Electrical Guidelines affecting HMO (Houses in Multiple Occupation) Property

Part b of the application for license states that “a declaration by a competent person that all electrical appliances provided by the landlord have been tested and are in safe working condition

Terms & Conditions

Our terms and conditions are issued within every quote, and our clients are expected to adhere to them.
Email me for a copy