Highlight Electrical
5 School Lane, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 1HQ
Portable appliance testing (PAT) is an essential part of keeping your domestic or commercial property safe, as well as any person(s) operating or living in these premises.
By thoroughly examining all electrical appliances, we can minimise the likelihood of hazards – such as electrical fires and their effects. We can ensure all equipment is safe for you to use.
Our testing conforms to all HSE guidelines, as our team of experts carry out all maintenance under the IEE”s Code of Practice for In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment.
However, before any testing commences, our Bournemouth engineers will assess the surrounding environment. This is to fully verify that maintenance carries zero risk to themselves and the general public.
Inspection and Testing is carried out in several stages. Below is a detailed breakdown:
The PAT Testing Process
Phase 1: Preliminary Visual Inspection
This involves an engineer visually checking for damage to the plug, fuse, wiring, cable and protective case of an appliance. The following questions will be asked, before proceeding to subsequent repair phases:
The Flex
- Is it free from cuts, fraying and damage?
- Is it in a working condition?
- Is it in a location where it could be damaged?
- Is it too long, too short or in any other way unsatisfactory?
- Does it have inadequate joints?
The Plug
- Is the flexible cable secure in its anchorage?
- Is it free from any sign of overheating?
- Is it free from cracks or damage?
The Flex Outlet
- Is there any sign of overheating?
- Is it free from cracks and other damage?
The Appliance
- Does it Work?
- Does it switch on and off properly?
- Is it free from cracks and contamination damage to the case that could result in access to live parts?
- Can it be used safely?
Also taken into consideration…
Is the user satisfied that the equipment works properly? Is the equipment suitable for its environment? Is the equipment suitable for the work it is required to carry out?
2: Earth bond testing
The safety of some certain appliances will depend upon a connection with the earth.
This is investigated through the use of expert electrical test equipment, which ensures that a sufficient low resistance is present.
This is assured when the connection between earth pin (found in the mains plug) and metal casing is satisfactory.
3: Insulation Testing
A test is carried out using similar expert electrical test equipment, which ensures an appliance meets the required safety level.
Adequate insulation must exist between the mains supply pins and the earth to produce sufficient resistance.
4: Substitute leakage test
The sub Leakage Test applies a nominal voltage of 40V AC RMS to the appliance. This is again applied between the earth pin, but also the live and neutral pins of the supply plug.
When neither conventional insulation nor flash tests are acceptable methods of testing the insulation of the appliance, this way proves useful.
5: Flash testing
This test is rarely carried out and only on certain appliances, such as power tools.
This test measures the insulation of an appliance in circumstances where a very high test voltage is applied.
The purpose is to determine whether or not the insulation is of sufficient strength to prevent breakdown – particularly where high transient voltages are likely.
6: Earth leakage measurement
This test is carried out to monitor the current flow through the earth lead.
The leakage test shows the current being lost through leakage. This is due to a difference in the currents flowing in the live and neutral conductors.
This difference is the total leakage away from the appliance.
This test is of particular valuable when an appliance incorporates a number of sequences. #
These will most certainly change the electrical characteristics of an appliance during its operation.
7: Load test
This test is carried out applying a voltage through a current limiting resistor to the mains supply plug.
Engineers will check that the current flow is not excessive, when full voltage is applied to the appliance.
8: Touch leakage test
The touch test displays the current that would flow if a person touched the appliance.
The electrical test equipment detects any current flowing in the earth bond lead. The potential leakage through a metal panel is also revealed.
9: Functional check
This is a test carried out to ensure that the appliance is working correctly and basically does what it is supposed to do, in the appropriate environment.