Judd, I need your help

I’m facing the rounds of PAT testing again, the whole care home, last year I didn’t have a calibrated tester so my supervisor carried out the testing in the kitchen, using his, now I’m sure some of these appliances are hardwired into a fuse spur, so that , as I understand it , is a whole different area of testing, locking off the fuse, ect, so I only have a bog standard pat tester, for anything with a plug top, so , am I right in thinking this cannot be used.?, if judd or anyone else can clarify It’d be much appreciated, ta...

Re: Judd, I need your help

The standard tester for hand-held appliances as you say, can't be used for testing fixed appliances. I usually use a `Megger` type device that generates a 250-500V test voltage. I test from the fused spur (with the power off of course).

Is your tester the auto-type? ie does it go through a set sequence of tests?

Re: Judd, I need your help

Yes it is judd, just a standard tester, I’ll have to look at the paperwork to see if he included hard wired appliances, I don’t really want to sign my name if I’m saying it’s safe and I can’t properly test it

Re: Judd, I need your help

You can put exemptions in - some fixed appliances don't need to be tested every 12 months (unless the person requesting the work/insurance company insists on it)

https://www.pat.org.uk/pat-testing-frequency/

Re: Judd, I need your help

Your 'bog standard pat tester' will only be able to test electrical equipment that have a mains plug on them. It will not be capable of testing 'fixed wired' appliances.

This video from PAT testing/manufacturer Seaward is indicator of what is required to electrically safety test 'fixed appliances'.


Even though the person in the video says a 'competent' person can carry out the testing, due to what's involved, a business will more commonly employ the services of an electrical contractor.

Re: Judd, I need your help

I guess that it would save money if you tested what you can and just got a contractor in for the hard wired stuff.