PAT Testing Legislation

The legal stuff about Portable Appliance Testing can be confusing...

It is considered that routine inspection and preventive maintenance are absolutely essential to prevent accidents when using portable equipment.

The main legal requirement is the testing of portable appliances (PAT Testing), the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 state that all electrical systems should be of ‘such construction and maintained’, in order to prevent danger to your staff and yourself.

By definition an electrical system is;

"...a collection of electrical equipment connected to a common source of electrical energy."

Electrical equipment includes: "...any appliance ranging from a table lamp up to a 400kv overhead line."

An appliance consisting of a plug and connecting cable is an electrical system and must be suitably constructed and maintained so as to prevent danger.

Before equipment can be maintained it must be inspected and tested to determine if any maintenance is required.