EET / PAT / FAT?

What is PAT / FAT / EET

Electrical Equipment Testing

Electrical Equipment Testing is the new name for PAT Testing or Portable Appliance Testing (PAT).

Portable appliance testing (PAT) is the term used to describe the examination of electrical appliances and equipment to ensure they are safe to use.

Most electrical safety defects can be found by visual examination but some types of defect can only be found by testing. However, it is essential to understand that visual examination is an essential part of the process because some types of electrical safety defect can't be detected by testing alone.

A relatively brief user check (based upon simple training and perhaps assisted by the use of a brief checklist) can be a very useful part of any electrical maintenance regime. However, more formal visual inspection and testing by a competent person may also be required at appropriate intervals, depending upon the type of equipment and the environment in which it is used

Some people see PAT as a tick box exercise, but as you can see it is more than that.

What is PAT / FAT / EET

Who Can Complete A PAT

The person doing testing work needs to competent to do it

In many low-risk environments, a sensible (competent) member of staff can undertake visual inspections if they have enough knowledge and training.

However, when undertaking combined inspection and testing, a greater level of knowledge and experience is needed, and the person will need:

• the right equipment to do the tests

• the ability to use this test equipment properly

• the ability to properly understand the test results

Our Team are competent, have completed online training and passed a test to confirm this as well as using the latest equipment which is calibrated yearly and the calibration checked before each PAT Visit.

What is PAT / FAT / EET

Is PAT/FAT/EET A Legal Requirement?

Simply Put No.

The law simply requires an employer to ensure that their electrical equipment is maintained in order to prevent danger.

It does not say how this should be done or how often.

Employers should take a risk-based approach, considering the type of equipment and what it is being used for.

If it is used regularly and moved a lot eg a floor cleaner or a kettle, testing (along with visual checks) can be an important part of an effective maintenance regime giving employers confidence that they are doing what is necessary to help them meet their legal duties.

HSE provides guidance on how to maintain equipment including the use of PAT.

So while PAT is not a legal requirement, it is one of the ways you are legally required to ensure work place safety, so it is also a yes answer in a way when asked if its legally required.

What is PAT / FAT / EET

Is PAT/FAT/EET A Yearly Thing?

The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require that any electrical equipment that has the potential to cause injury is maintained in a safe condition.

However, the Regulations do not specify what needs to be done, by whom or how frequently (ie they don't make inspection or testing of electrical appliances a legal requirement, nor do they make it a legal requirement to undertake this annually).

The frequency of inspection and testing depends upon the type of equipment and the environment it is used in.

For example, a power tool used on a construction site should be examined more frequently than a lamp in a hotel bedroom.

When our technicians are on site completing your test, they will perform a risk assessment based on your appliance, site and use and then will advise on suggested time for retests.

What is PAT / FAT / EET

What Records Do I Keep?

There is no legal requirement to label equipment that has been inspected or tested, nor is there a requirement to keep records of these activities.

However, a record and / or labelling can be a useful management tool for monitoring and reviewing the effectiveness of the maintenance scheme – and to demonstrate that a scheme exists.

Electrical Equipment Testing & HSE

Fact Checking

All of the information on this page has been taken directly off the HSE website and not just some stuff we made up, an open and honest approach is the only way to work.

Link to the HSE Website