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Environment
Type of
Equipment
Class 1
Class 1
Class 2
Class 2
User
Checks
Formal
Visual
Inspection
Combined
Inspection
and Testing
Formal
Visual
inspection
Combined
Inspection
and Testing
Constuction
Sites

Highest
Risk
Environment
Stationary
IT
Movable
Portable
Hand Held
None
N / A
Weekly
Weekly
weekly
1 Month
N / A
1 Month
1 Month
1Month
3 Months
N / A
3 Months
3 months
3 Months
1 Month
N / A
1 Month
1 Month
1 Month
3 Months
N / A
3 Months
3 Months
3 Months
Industrial
Inc
Commercial
Kitchens

High Risk
environment
Stationary
IT
Movable
Portable
Hand Held
Fixed
Weekly
Weekly
Before Use
Before Use
Before Use
3 Months
None
None
6 Months
6 Months
6 Months
12 Months
24 Months
24 Months
12 Months
12 Months
12 Months
24 Months
None
None
6 Months
6 Months
6 Months
12 Months
24 Months
24 Months
24 Months
12 Months
12 Months
48 Months
Equipment
used by
Public

Highest risk
Users
Stationary
IT
Movable
Portable
Hand Held
Fixed
Weekly
Weekly
Weekly
Before Use
Before Use
Weekly
Monthly
Monthly
Weekly
Weekly
Weekly
12 Months
12 Months
12 Months
6 Months
6 Months
6 Months
36 Months
12 Months
12 Months
6 Months
6 Months
6 Months
12 Months
24 Months
24 Months
12 Months
12 Months
12 Months
36 Months
Schools

High Risk
Users
Stationary
IT
Movable
Portable
Hand Held
Fixed
Weekly
Weekly
Weekly
Weekly
Before Use
Weekly
None
None
6 Months
6 Months
6 months
12 Months
12 Months
12 Months
12 Months
12 Months
12 months
36 Months
12 Months
12 Months
12 Months
12 Months
12 months
12 Months
48 Months
48 Months
48 months
48 Months
48 months
48 Months
Hotels

Low Risk
Environment
Stationary
IT
Movable
Portable
Hand Held
Fixed
None
None
Weekly
Weekly
Before Use
Weekly
24 Months
24 Months
12 Months
12 months
12 Months
24 Months
60 Months
60 Months
24 months
24 Months
24 Months
48 months
24 Months
24 Months
24 Months
24 Months
12 Months
24 Months
None
None
None
None
None
None
Offices And  
Shops

Low Risk
Environment
Stationary
IT
Movable
Portable
Hand Held
Fixed
None
None
Weekly
Weekly
Before Use
3 Months
24 Months
24 Months
12 Months
12 Months
12 Months
24 Months
60 Months
60 Months
24 Months
24 Months
24 Months
48 Months
24 Months
24 Months
24 Months
24 Months
12 Months
24 Months
None
None
None
None
None
None

How often should my equipment be PAT Tested?


There is a lot of misinformation regarding PAT testing frequency.

The information in the chart below is taken from IET Code of Practice for the In-
service inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment 4th Edition published in 2012.
This is the latest industry accepted Code of Practice, that we as test engineers are
expected to follow. This guide has been compiled by the Health and Safety Executive
(HSE), and the Electrical Safety Council. However the information is more detailed and
specific than regular HSE guidance.

This chart contains the suggested Initial inspection and testing frequency for electrical
equipment. After establishing a testing program based on this information, the company's
H&S Duty holder has the opportunity to extend or reduce the testing period, based on a
Risk Assessment, based on the volume of damaged equipment uncovered during the
previous testing program.

A little explanation may be helpful

The chart lists the suggested testing frequency for Class 1 and Class 2 equipment. (Listed
across the top)
The rows 1 to 6 lists the type of environment the equipment is in.

Column 2 lists the type of appliance. (Stationary / IT  /  Movable equipment /  Portable /
Hand-held  /  Fixed )
Column 3 shows the frequency of User Checks.
Column 4 & 6 shows the frequency of Formal Visual Inspections.
Column 5 & 7 shows the frequency of Combined Inspection and (PAT Testing).

The Rows Show the type of environment the equipment is located in. These are divided
into rough business categories according to the harshness of the working environment.








It shold be noted that this chart lists three Differant type of inspection and test procedures in columns 3, 4, & 5

(1)   User Checks,
(2)   Formal Inspections and
(3)   Combined Inspection and Test
(PAT Test)

For an explanation of how the three types of Inspection procedures are carried out, please see our What is a visual inspection? page

While Looking through the chart It should be noted that the Formal visual inspections are the most important part of the process. This is where most of the damaged and dangerous equipment is found, and is what test engineers spend the bulk of their time doing while on site (removing plug tops and checking for physical damage to the equipment) The PAT Testing is the electrical checks that PAT Testing machines carry out.

The Code of Practice takes into account not just the type of equipment but also the type of user. That is why schools are required to test more frequently than offices, even though they use largely the same type of equipment.
(compare rows 6 & 8)

UK-PAT : The Directory of Portable Appliance Testers
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