PAT testing services in London by certified experts

What does PAT testing involve?

Portable appliance testing (PAT) is performed to ensure the electrical safety of appliances and equipment. It is not a legal requirement but employers, business owners and landlords resort to it as a standard practice, because they are legally required to provide a safe environment for their employees, customers or tenants, respectively.

Fantastic Services offers PAT testing services in London, done by certified electricians, who are competent and experienced to test any electrical appliance and identify potential issues that can put people at risk.

The test involves visual inspection and detailed check of all electrical appliances that are hardwired or can be connected to a plug socket. So, portable doesn’t really mean small electrical appliances. The PAT testing applies to electrical devices of all sizes. The electricians use specialised testing tools to check insulation resistance, lead polarity and earth continuity, etc.

We need to note here that responsible persons for the electrical safety of a said environment have different obligations as to how often a visual inspection and a PAT test should be performed. There are low-, medium- and high-risk settings, depending on the frequency of appliance use, the likelihood of wear and tear, as well as on who uses the appliances or equipment. Just as an example, a construction site is a high-risk place, where electrical tools and equipment should be checked more often.

How is your portable appliance testing service performed?

The qualified electrician will arrive at your rental property or place of business on the arranged day and perform the PAT test with diligence and attention to detail. The service includes the following:

• The specialist will start with a visual inspection of each electrical appliance for wear and tear, and any other faults. In addition, it will be confirmed that the device has been installed as it should.
• The electrician will also determine whether there are any voltage, current and frequency issues.
• In addition, the visual inspection involves checking for any ventilation problems in the room.
• Then, all plug sockets will be checked carefully for faulty fuses and loose connections.
• Hardwired electrical devices will also be visually inspected.
• Next, the electrician will perform a range of electrical tests on each piece of electrical equipment or appliance. Damage to the insulation, faults with earth continuity and lead-polarity issues will be flagged during these tests.
• Once the appliance has been tested, the expert will place a label on a visible spot with their “verdict” - Passed or Failed. The label will also contain details, like the test date, a date when the appliance needs to be tested again, as well as an appliance ID number.
• Finally, you’ll receive a PAT certificate with all the test-related recordings done by the electrician.

Legal requirements for landlords in relation to PAT

Fully furnished rental properties, have electrical appliances, of course, and those should be safe for use. So, a landlord should ensure that electrical devices are in good working order and all electrical outlets in the property are also free of faults. PAT testing, although not a legal requirement itself for landlords, is a standardised practice adopted by property owners, who let out their place.

So, if you’re a landlord, you should get an electrical PAT tester to check all the appliances before a new tenant moves in. Long-term tenants should be also assured that the property is electrically safe with the help of PAT test. Small appliances are best checked every 2 years and larger ones, like cookers and fridges, every 4 years.

So, book your PAT testing service in London with us and prevent a fire hazard, due to an electrical fault with one of your appliances.

What appliances and types of equipment should undergo PAT testing?

There are different types of electrical devices that are split into categories for PAT purposes:

• Fixed appliances
• Stationary appliances
• IT appliances
• Moveable appliances
• Portable appliances
• Cables and chargers
• Hand Held appliances

Appliances are categorised as Class 1, 2 and 3. Let’s see some examples below:

Class 1 – Earthed Appliances - Washing machines and dryers, free-standing printers, desktop IT equipment, vending machines, industrial machinery, fridges and freezers, toasters, dishwashers, microwaves, toasters, kettles, irons, electric heaters, laptop cables, extension leads, etc.;

These are grounded electrical appliances and a full PAT testing should be performed on them.

Class 2 – Double Insulated Appliances - Hedge trimmers, desktop printers, lawnmowers, food mixers, lamps, TV sets, DVD player, handheld devices like hair dryers and drills;

These require only a reduced PAT test, called insulation test, because the devices are not earthed but are extra insulated for protection.

Class 3 – Low Voltage Devices - Laptops, mobile phone chargers, cameras, LED light bulbs, torches.

As the above appliances are considered low voltage (under 50 V), PAT testing is not applicable to them.

How often should a PAT test be carried out?

The recommendations for how often PAT testing is best performed are based on several criteria, such as:

• The electrical class and category of the appliance;
• The risk level of the environment, where the electrical equipment is being used;
• The manufacturer’s instructions and advice;
• The frequency of appliance use;
• Potential adverse results of any repairs.

For instance, in low-risk environments, like offices and shops, most Class1 appliances can be PAT tested every 4 years. Small portable equipment, cables and extension leads should be checked every 2 years, while handheld devices are better tested annually.

Depending on the equipment, used in medium-risk settings (ex: workshops, restaurant kitchens, industrial spaces), PAT testing should be done between every 6 months. The recommendations also include that handheld devices, moveable and portable appliances, as well as cables should be visually inspected on a monthly basis.

In higher-risk environments, like construction sites or venues, where the public uses electrical equipment, PAT testing should be performed more regularly - every 3 or 6 months, respectively, for Class1 stationary, portable, moveable and handheld devices.

Why choose Fantastic Services for PAT testing your electrical equipment

Certified and experienced electricians

Your PAT testing service is executed by certified and qualified electricians with years of experience. They use modern and reliable electrical testing tools, which can diagnose any faults with your appliances in due time.

Any type of customers served

We can be of service to you, regardless of what type of property you own or manage. Among our customers in London, who require a PAT testing service, there are landlords, business owners and employers, as well as public services entities. So, don’t hesitate to contact us if you need to check the safety of your electrical appliances!

Complete electrical testing solutions

We offer a range of electrical installation, repair and maintenance, diagnostics and reporting solutions, including EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) services. This means that you can book a certified electrician with Fantastic Services no matter what electrical needs you might have, be it to install new garden lighting, fix your faulty oven or get an electrical safety certificate.

Flexible booking schedule

We operate 7 days a week, including weekends and public holidays. So, you can arrange easily online for a PAT tester to come to your address at the most convenient time for you. Just check the available appointment slots in real-time by using our convenient booking system. It won’t take you a minute to schedule your PAT service.