Imagup General Magazine 2024
Living in a rapidly modernizing era where technology is the key to success is indeed the most rewarding gift of life. From day-to-day life to every location outdoors, everything is bound with this modern technology, and undoubtedly, these technological advancements are making people’s lives better.
Beginning the day by filling the water bottle with a water purifier to ending a tiring day with a warm shower, everything in people’s lives is so close to technology. Specifically, it is the list of electronic gadgets that make modern lifestyles more effortless and luxurious.
Just as living with technology has many perks, the risks associated with them are some cons. Electronic gadgets are life-saving unless they begin to misbehave or result in horrific accidents like fire or short circuits. To ensure these electronic machineries are functioning smoothly, every household and office must consider PAT Testing, a test that ensures the machines are safe, and so are you.
What Is PAT Testing?
PAT, or Portable Appliance Testing, is a common test conducted on electronic gadgets to check whether they are ready to use and functioning correctly. PAT tests are only common in some parts of the globe, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand, and Australia.
PAT is nothing but a routine examination and maintenance to ensure the electrical appliances are functioning in a proper way; there are no faults or threats that can give rise to accidents. With specific instruments like a PAT tester, professionals conduct an easy test to find defects, if any.
According to the safety regulations issued by the governments of the countries where PAT is famous, only a professional or a trained person can perform the test from time to time. In fact, PAT tests can be conducted by any person who has knowledge of portable electronic devices and, in some way, has been trained to perform such tests.
Commercial offices and homes failing to abide by the laws of PAT can also fall into legal trouble. Therefore, people either appoint professional services or enroll in training programs to avoid future hassles.
Can You Perform PAT Testing Without Professional Help?
The most common question that comes to the mind of every person tired of appointing PAT professionals is whether they can perform this test. Surprisingly, PAT tests may sound overwhelming, but they are pretty simple and can be performed by any non-professional if provided with proper training. The countries that consider PAT mandatory allow homeowners to conduct such tests only if their training has been approved by the regulations of the government.
Appointing a professional for routine PAT and paying a fee every time may not be the most satisfactory thing for you. To avoid that, you can take courses from recognized organizations registered under the government and offer certificates after completing these short courses. Once you are certified, you are suitable to conduct the inspections yourself.
However, it is not as straightfoward as it sounds because PAT checks involve different levels. While the initial level is recognized as ‘user checks,’ where a user can check and detect the very obvious signs of damage in a portable electronic gadget.
The next level is the ‘visual checks’; this is nothing but the visual inspection which leads to the discovery of underlying faults such as the faults with wiring. Lastly, the final level involves a combination of various tests and examination, which is usually performed by a professional. This level of inspection rectifies the damages and eventually ensures the appliance is safe to use again.
How Can You Perform A PAT Test?
To perform a PAT or Portable Appliance Testing, you must master a few things. Here are the few things you must have in order to perform such a test successfully:
Electronic Knowledge
The first thing a person willing to perform Portable Appliance Testing is electrical knowledge. You must understand how an electrical circuit works, have basic knowledge of electricity flow, and awareness of safety. A person who has zero electrical knowledge can never succeed in performing a PAT safely; without an in-depth understanding, it is nearly impossible to do it on your own. If you are not confident enough, seeking help from a professional is always advised.
Right Set Of Tools
Any electronic test largely depends on the tool, and to perform a PAT on the electronic appliances at your home, you need appropriate tools. The list of tools is many, but you must be aware of the uses of cables and wires, testers, changing plugs, and so on. You must be able to efficiently change the faulty parts with the help of these tools.
Step-by-Step Process
Knowing in-depth about the step-by-step inspection process is very important. Not all electronic appliances require the same level of PAT inspections. At the same time, some need user and visual checks. In contrast, others might have a serious underlying problem and require a combined test involving various inspections and electrical tests.
What Is A Combined Check Performed By Professionals?
A combined PAT inspection is performed by professionals with high knowledge of electrical appliances and their functions. This type of inspection is run to check if the insulation features of the portable appliances are working correctly; if not, where the problem lies.
With the help of various tools, professionals conduct insulation tests, earth bond tests, extension leads, ICE leads, and earth leakage tests. These tests can prove to be very dangerous if you do not know the risks involved.
No matter if you are seeking help from professionals or willing to learn on your own, PAT inspections are for the safety of your homes or employees at work. Even if it is not mandatory to conduct PAT but legally, to use specific electronic gadgets for a long time, you must produce the proof of such tests, especially if your property is for rent. Not all types of portable electrical appliances require these tests; you must know what does and which ones do not need regular PATs.
