Portable Appliance Testing

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Why do Portable Appliance Testing / PAT Testing? 

A PAT test is a routine inspection of electrical appliances to check they are safe to use.   Its purpose is to prevent electrical accidents in the workplace and public areas.

Portable Appliance Testing (PAT testing) requires visual inspection, various electrical tests with a portable appliance tester, and tagging, using a durable tag and detailing the testing company’s name and the date tested.

Coombs Electrical will supply an up to date equipment list that you can use to help prove that you’re doing as much as you can to keep people safe.  It helps you track your own equipment, and you can use it to see what your equipment life span is like.

PAT testing law requires that all landlords and employers make sure that their portable electrical appliances are safe and suitable and being used for the purposes intended. These appliances should always be maintained properly and remain in good working order.

Appliances used in all New Zealand businesses are required by OSH and electrical regulations to be tested according to the AS/NZS 3760 standard.

There is currently no strict legal requirement for PAT testing. The Government however has put regulations into place that pertain to the maintenance of electrical appliances (The Electricity at Work Regulations of 1989).   Regulations also changed as of April 4th 2016, in the Health and Safety at Work Act.  The Health and Safety at Work Act requires employers to protect workers and other people by eliminating or minimising risks at work.  You may also wish to check the requirements of your insurance policy. Using a Portable Appliance Tester is an easy way to ensure your tools, leads and appliances are tested for electrical integrity and are compliant. 

What are the consequences if electrical inspection and testing procedures are ignored?

Electrical testing is so cheap and fast that there is no excuse not to safeguard your staff by testing your equipment regularly. Failure to ensure the safety of electrical equipment may result in the death or injury to yourself, employees and customers.

Professional testing using a portable appliance tester (PAT) should be carried out on a range of equipment including:

computer equipment

general office equipment

power tools

electrical appliances

electric blankets

extension leads

multi boxes

RCD’s

Toaster

Fridges

TV

Irons

Microwaves

Most household items

Coombs Electrical Services want to help keep your Motel, Hotel, Commercial or Industrial premise, School or rental property compliant with all Acts. Testing with a Portable Appliance Tester (PAT)  is recommended for, offices and retail and places where the public are..

Coombs Electrical tester are also qualified electricians,  so we can repair some equipment when we test if the equipment fails, resulting saving you money and equipment.

Some questions to ask yourself:

Do I know what equipment I have?

Do I know what state it in?

Do I have any way of keeping track of my gear?

Is my testing done by electrician?

How often do I have to do this?

How much does it cost?

Is the cost worth the risk?

Can I prove that I doing as much as I can to keep my staff and public safe?

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