In the UK alone, there have been 5 deaths and more than 500 injuries caused annually by faulty electrical installations, making electrical appliances one of the most high-risk dangers in the both the home and workplace. Whether its electrical shocks, burns or fires, electrical appliances can cause serious damage to both you and your property and it is therefore important that you take the appropriate measures to protect your safety and your assets – and that includes employing a professional to carry out Portable Appliance Testing (PAT).
Portable Appliance Testing, also commonly referred to as Electrical Appliance Testing, is the process of checking the safety of electrical appliances through a number of different visual inspections and electronic tests. Electrical Appliance Testing will give you complete peace of mind as all appliances are rigorously tested so that faults can be identified, potential hazards can be both minimised and removed and in turn, there are fewer electrical based injuries and deaths.
It is important to note that PAT differs from Electrical Installation Testing as the latter focuses attention on fixed electrics as opposed to portable appliances.
PAT can be done in both the home and the workplace, and whilst it is legally required that electrical appliances in the workplace comply with The Electricity at Work Regulations of 1989 via Electrical Appliance and Installation testing, it is just of equal importance that you carry out such testing in your own home – especially if you’re moving house.
The Perks of Employing Professional Services for PAT:
Whilst it doesn’t hurt to carry out your own DIY visual inspections of electrical appliances in the home and workplace, it can often be a minefield for those who aren’t qualified to undertake such specialist tasks. With that being said, there are a number of reasons as to why you should employ an experienced electrical engineer to carry out Portable Appliance Testing – including overall peace of mind, legal protection and time-efficiency.
Overall peace of mind
As we’ve previously mentioned, electrics can be risky and employing an industry professional means that you can have complete peace of mind knowing that the appropriate measures have been taken to protect you and your property. Electrical engineers will have a wealth of knowledge and experience in the field, and unlike those conducting tests DIY style, will know the dangers to look out for. If anything should go wrong with your portable electrical appliances post PAT, you’ll have access to a formal complaints procedure and will be able to hold industry professionals accountable for any damage.
Legal protection
Pretty similar to the point we just covered – but when employing the services of an electrical engineer, you will be issued with a guarantee which proves you have carried out the appropriate testing to comply with regulations and in turn, this could be used as evidence in the event of an insurance claim.
Time efficiency
The electrical engineer you choose to employ will have a number of years of experience in the industry, giving them the ability to carry out tasks at a far quicker rate than you would be able to. By employing the services of a professional, you can focus your time and attention towards more important things such as work (or sitting back, relaxing and enjoying a well deserved break).
Now you understand what Portable Appliance Testing is and the benefits of employing the services of an electrical engineer to carry out such tests, you’re well on your way to becoming an expert on electrical testing in the home and workplace.
In your home, you’ll know what electrical appliances are where, how long they’ve been in use and if you’ve had any problems with them in the past – but that isn’t necessarily the case when you move into a new home. That is why it is so important to carry out Portable Appliance Testing in your new property as soon as possible. The old cliché still rings true – it is better to be safe than sorry.
About the Author
Indlu are hybrid estate agents in Manchester, offering a ‘no sale, no fee’ fixed price service to rival traditional high street estate agents in Manchester City Centre, Monton, Worsley and the surrounding areas.
