Posted By learner
Quick question - Do NEW electrical equipment (extention leads) require PAT testing ?

Posted By TDsafety
I would suggest that if the equipment is new, then i would conform to some EU (CE) standard. I agree with the above. No legal requirement. But, its more important that the user does a pre user check rather than 1 anual check.

I thank you

Posted By rosstoward
What you may also want to take into account is the usage of the item, for example a domestic kettle if used in an office environment would get alot more hammer than it was designed for.

We always get all our equipment PAT tested when new for 1 simple reason, what has happened to the item since it left the manufacturer, it may have left in pristine condition, but could have been exposed to moisture, dropped, either of which could have resulted in internal damage.

Better being safe than sorry for the sake of £1.50 for a test

Posted By CFT
I have just been trying to find some stats (which I had) and can't put my hand on them right now; new leads are one of the items that failed a test more often than not. Yes there are legal duties to 'ensure,' so PAT is a suitable way of contributing towards a compliance of those duties.

To answer your question; we do as a matter of course; it really takes no time at all to be safer than sorry; the choice however is yours, and some application of several sets of regulations

CFT

Posted By Phil Rose
'Learner'

Nick's response above is pretty comprehensive. I personally don't think it is useful for people to say 'no legal' requirement without qualifying this statement. I always recommend that new kit has at the least a thorough visual inspection. Don't assume that new equipment will be 'safe' even if ce marked etc. Some years ago we bought a number of brand new 4 gang extension leads. One of these was wired incorrectly!

HSG 107 is quite helpful but the IEE also do a very good publication on the maintenance of electrical kit, although right now I can't recall the title of it

Hope this helps

Phil

Posted By S T
Practitioners who always follow the British Standards may find it useful to know that BS EN 50111:2004 recommends the inspection of new equipment should be carried out as well as the existing installations.

Posted By S T
sorry it's BS EN BS EN 5011-1:2004 not BS EN 50111:2004
my aplogies

Posted By Tony abc jprhdnMurphy
I will qualify that statement then. There is no legal requirement means that you are not required, under current legislation, to test equipment that is unlikely to be a risk. If it was recognised that there was a significant
(not fanciful) risk then of course your testing regime would be implemented. What stands out as being ridiculous is the notion that having a sticker on your cable makes the world a safer place. It does not.
People who have a genuine regard for electrical issues will almost certainly conduct visible checks on a regular basis
(particularly construction sites) and not rely on the PAT test label. In fact I was on site last year where the labels were burnt out on a damaged kettle lead and no action taken. You couldnt make it up.

Posted By Suffolkman
Blimey we seem to be making hard work out of this.....

assuming you in a low risk environment why not make use why not make use of the excellent and simple guidance provide by the HSE (after all we have paid for it!!)

www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg236.pdf

if you want to see someones clear policy/ procedure and legal justifications for doing this take a look at the Radio communications agency code of practice

www.ofcom.org.uk/static/...ernal/portelectrical.pdf

Have fun!!

Posted By Nick Andrews
A couple of important points to note

The sticker/label/tag etc does not make the item safe. This is a way of indicating that the item was tested on a particular date and on that date it was safe. Just like the MOT on a car, its current and relevant at the time of the test.
What it does is indicate that the duty holder is managing risk. The risk management stratergy reduces the risk of harm. It does not eliminate the risk but it certainly helps. The duty holder could simply keep a dated list of inspected items if they so wish. Labels are good but not essential.

The original post mentioned extension leads. When connected to the mains these items can kill. It might not happen very often, but it does.

There may not be a prescribed requirement to inspect portable equipment as there is with say lifting equipment. However there is a prescribed duty to ensure health, safety and welfare under HASAWA. It is section 2 or 3 that will be cited in the prosecution. The management regs would be cited as the risk assessment was not suitable and sufficient. The electricity at work regs would be thrown in for good measure and standards would be used to demonstrate how a responsible person would excercise good practice.

Pat testing is cheap, effective and a visible sign that risk is being managed. It is also widely misunderstood!!

Regards
Nick

Posted By Suffolkman
Tony

As you said earlier the frequency is dependant on risk but I'm not sure its ever 'not needed ' and the HSE don't seem to think so as they have issued improvement notices for failing to have a system in place and allowing portable electrical equipment to deteriorate

http://www.hse.gov.uk/no...s.asp?SF=CN&SV=300198557

I appreciate many testing companies will encourage people to over test but in fact HSE guidance is pretty clear on what's required in low risk environments and it makes sense to check true portable appliances (especially when used in hazardous conditions) more frequently