Posted By Paul Oliver The requirement for PAT tstsing is prescribed within INDG236, cut and paste this link, http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg236.pdf and have a look at the table on page 5. You may be looking at 5 yearly intervals for some equipment, however that does not eliminate the requirement for regular visual inspection. Regards Paul

Posted By David P. Johnson PAT testing doesn't necessarily need to be done by your electricians - why not send someone a little less 'specialist' on the C&G PAT Testing Course - I think its only about 2 days. They can then assist the electricians in the PAT testing.

Posted By Frank Hallett Sorry Jack. It's no good quoting what is no more than an advisory document unless you look to the Regs first. The EaW Regs - Reg 4 states:- "Systems, work activities and protective equipment (1) All systems shall at all times be of such construction as to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, danger. (2) As may be necessary to prevent danger, all systems shall be maintained so as to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, such danger. (3) Every work activity, including operation, use and maintenance of a system and work near a system, shall be carried out in such a manner as not to give rise, so far as is reasonably practicable, to danger. (4) Any equipment provided under these Regulations for the purpose of protecting persons at work on or near electrical equipment shall be suitable for the use for which it is provided, be maintained in a condition suitable for that use, and be properly used." Reg 4[2] makes it crystal clear that ALL electrical equipment must be maintained! Incidentally everybody, if the EaW Regs are read thoroughly, you will find that there is no such specific thing as Portable Appliance Testing prescribed by the Regs; this is a category of equipment that has grown out of a few cases many years ago where the need to give specific attention to equipment which can be disconnected and reconnected at will without special tools was identified as essential. Having said that - I do not disagree in any way with the current HSE approach to the testing of equipment that falls within the "portable" category. Frank Hallett Frank Hallett

Posted By Jack Not exactly clear what you are saying Frank, nor why you assume I’ve not looked at the regs; methinks you’re being a touch defensive. I didn’t say anything about electrical equipment not being maintained. I was making the point that in order to comply with this regulation it was not always necessary to ‘test’ but sufficient to ‘inspect’. In fact your last paragraph makes the same point!

Posted By Frank Hallett Good morning all. I have tried to resist [obviously unsuccessfully] the temptation to publicly respond to a couple of observations. My responses were based exclusively on responding to what JWG actually asked which is why I resorted to quoting the relevant part of EaW Regs. I'm off to do something else now as JWG appears to have been satisfied. Frank Hallett

Posted By Chris Riley I think Frank Hallett has explained it. The Institution of Electrical Engineers document "CODE OF PRACTICE FOR IN-SERVICE INSPECTION AND TESTING OF ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT" should cover all queries. Some aspects of "reasonably practicable" (Lord Asquith 1947?) or maybe "practicable" (Lord Chief Justice Goddard 1948?) should be borne in mind. Other judgements though. Do not forget that battery handlamps (p49 of IEE CoP 1994) and wris[expletive deleted]ch batteries are included! Yep! spare wris[expletive deleted]ch battery has exploded in a car glove compartment - more than once! Sleep well. Regards Chris Riley