Portable appliance testing PAT

If you can answer yes to the above points then the risks are adequately controlled, but you need to state the precautions you have put in place. You can refer to company procedures, company rules, company practices, etc. in giving this information. For example, if we consider there might be a risk of electric shock from using electrical power tools, then the risk of a shock will be less if the company policy is to portable appliance test (PAT) all power tools each year and to fit a label to the tool showing that it has been tested for electrical safety. 

Combined inspection and testing is also necessary on some equipment because some faults cannot be seen by just looking - for example, the continuity and effectiveness of earth paths on class I equipment. For some portable appliances the earth is essential to the safe use of the equipment and, therefore, all earthed equipment and most extension leads should be periodically tested and inspected for these faults. All portable appliance test instruments (PAT Testers) will carry out two important tests earth bonding and insulation resistance. 

It is particularly important to check that the plug top and cables of handheld electrically powered tools and extension leads are in good condition. Damaged plug tops and cables must be repaired before you use them. All electrical power tools of 110 and 230 V must be tested with a portable appliance tester (PAT) in accordance with the company s health and safety procedures, but probably at least once each year. 

The machine should be on the PAT (portable appliance testing) schedule. 

In the case of portable equipment, testing is often carried out using a proprietary portable appliance tester (PAT). One useful test is the measurement of e insulation resistance to confirm that it is sufficiently high to prevent undue current leakage. Additionally, for class I equipment (that must be earthed) it is important to verify that the connection to earth is sound, i.e. its electrical resistance is low, and that the conductor is capable of carrying the sort of high current that may occur under fault conditions. Both the HSE and the lEE have produced guidance on electrical equipment maintenance. ... 

PAT Portable Appliance Testing RORO Roll on Roll off... 

Earth bonding tests apply a substantial test current, typically about 25 A, down the earth pin of the plug top to an earth probe, which should be connected to any exposed metalwork on the portable appliance being tested. The PAT Tester will then calculate the resistance of the earth bond and either give an actual reading or indicate pass or fail. A satisfactory result for this test would typically be a reading of less than 0.1 n. The earth bond test is, of course, not required for double-insulated portable appliances because there will be no earthed metalwork. 

State the two important tests that a PAT tester carries out on a portable appliance. 

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