Hi All,

I'm under the impression that all portable equipment with power cables are PAT tested annually. After the first 12 months from brand new. 

But looking at the hsg107 maintaining portable electrical equipment ACOPS. Stated that cables, leads and plugs are required every 1-5 years? 

Any thoughts on this ? Is it feesable testing every 2 years instead of 1 year? 

Thanks

A lot of people are under that impression until they are pointed to the guidance.  So you are already ahead of them.  The guidance is good and prevents wasted effort and cost.

However, be aware that anyone you get in to do your PAT is likely to put a sticker on everything saying it is due for retest in a year's time.  Ideally you write clearly into your internal procedures that the risk assessed frequencies you have determined based on guidance take precedence over what is on the PAT label and report.

The reason they set a blanket one year retest period regardless of what you want is so that they can be paid to come back and do it all next year whether it needs doing or not.

For our offices, we don't record user checks.

Our office staff know to report any damage. The frequency of PAT is being reviewed here and one of our electricians holds CG2377. For a computer that sits static in a clean, well kept office, we are considering a test every 2 - 3 years, possibly longer.

Our workshop equipment will be requiring far more frequent PAT due to use and the environment the equipment is used in. Your frequency of PAT should be informed by your own risk assessment.