Portable appliance testing (PAT)

By law all electrical equipment must be tested regularly. The test includes assessment of cables, fuses, connectors, etc., earth continuity and insulation resistance.

An external team of University PAT testers conduct an annual inspection of all electrical equipment within the Department. When a piece of equipment has passed this safety inspection a test label indicating the next test date will be prominently positioned, usually on the mains plug and also on the equipment itself.

Equipment whose label indicated that the test is overdue must not be used. Contact Richard Nicholson to inform him of the type of equipment and its whereabouts.

All new electrical equipment must be tested before use. Should the equipment fail its test, you will then be able to notify the supplier that the goods are faulty as quickly as possible. When the equipment has passed its test it will be labelled and can be put into service.

• All borrowed or hired equipment or equipment repaired outside should be treated as new equipment.
  
  
• All equipment brought into the Department from outside (including personal equipment brought in from home) should also be treated as new equipment.
  
  
• All electrical equipment constructed in the Department which is to have some form of connection to mains electricity (or similar source of power) must also be tested (however temporary it may be).