PAT testing
This is a basic "survival guide" to PT testing.
Summary
Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) is an essential procedure both before and after attempting to repair any mains operated electrical equipment, ensuring basic safety.
A PAT test comprises two parts: firstly a visual inspection (which in fact reveals the majority of faults), and an automated test using a PAT tester.
It's important to understand that the automated test still requires that you correctly identify the class of equipment, since if you get it wrong you could pass a faulty appliance as ok with potentially dangerous consequences.
Visual Inspection
(Visual inspection to be described here, with photos of faulty equipment.)
Automated Test
Appliance Classes
Class 1
Class 2
Class 3
Class Identification Summary
Class 1 Test
Class 2 Test
Safety
As previously stated, it is essential to correctly identify the class of an appliance otherwise a faulty appliance could be passed as OK with potentially dangerous consequences.
All mains powered appliances should be PAT tested both before and after a repair is attempted.
A faulty appliance must have its mains plug removed and the owner must be informed that it is unsafe unless the fault can be immediately rectified (e.g. by replacing a cracked mains plug).
References
External links
- External links as bullet points