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Portable Appliance Testing

Recent changes in legislation now require that the following category of appliances require to be tested at regular intervals, these include:

  • Stationary equipment – equipment designed to be fastened to a support or otherwise secured in a specific locations, eg. machinery in a workshop
  • IT equipment – computers, routers
  • Moveable equipment
  • Equipment that is either 18kg or less and not fixed, eg. Electric fire, small welding set.
  • Equipment with wheels or castors which enable their movement eg, air conditioning unit.
  • Portable equipment – an appliance of less than 18kg or less that is intended to be moved while in operation eg. Kettle, food processor and vacuum cleaner.
  • Handheld equipment – portable equipment intended to be held in the hand during normal use, eg. Power drill, hedge cutter, hair dryer
  • Fixed Equipment – Equipment that stays in a static location but is not fixed to anything, eg. washing machines, ovens


How often should PAT testing be carried out?

Depending on the frequency that appliances are used determines on how often they should be tested. The more an appliance is being used the more wear and tear it is being subjected to and therefore it should be tested more frequently.


The benefits of portable appliance testing

Not only does regular PAT testing ensure the appliance is functioning correctly and effectively, it also helps to ensure your own personal safety. Businesses are required by law to take the appropriate measures to ensure the health and safety of emplyees and customers on their premises or under their employment.

 

Your questions answered
Q How frequently should I get my electrics tested?

If you are the homeowner and it is not a rental property it is suggested every 10 years, however if you have any concerns seek professional advice

Q I am a Landlord / own a Holiday let how often should I get my electrics tested?

If you are the homeowner and it is not a rental property it is suggested every 10 years, however if you have any concerns seek professional advice

Q I am a Landlord how many smoke alarms do I need?

Landlords are require to put a smoke detector on every storey of a rental property and a CO detector in every room where there is a working fireplace or solid fuel appliance.

Q What is PAT testing, and do I need to do it?

PAT testing stands for Portable Appliance Testing it refers to anything electrical in your property which can be unplugged and moved. Eg. Fridge, hair dryer, printer, phone charger, juicer etc. It is suggested that PAT testing is carried out annually in all work places, holiday lets, residential lets, hotels, etc.

Q What is the difference between and Electrical Installation Certificate and an Electrical Installation Condition Report?

An Electrical Installation certificate is done for a new installation or an addition, an Electrical Installation Condition Report is a report on the current wiring in a building without making any alterations to it mainly to check on its “condition”.

Q How many Sockets are required in a bedroom of an HMO property?

A standard bedroom should have a minimum of 3 sockets, although we would always suggest that the 3 sockets should be fitted as twin, giving the user more flexibility and preventing the likelihood of using dangerous extensions. In other parts of the house, socket numbers can vary depending on room size and function. If you have any further questions call the office 01796 472263

Q Do I need to use RCD protection on any of my circuits?

Yes, under BS7671 IEE Wiring Regulations all socket outlets are required to be protected by a 30mA RCD. This acts as a safety mechanism in case of an accident the RCD automatically shuts off the power.

Q Do I require Emergency Lighting?

The simple answer if you have a commercial or industrial property, then yes. BS 5266 enforces the provision of emergency lighting for public buildings such as: Leisure centres, Theatres, Cinemas, Nightclubs/Pubs, Hotels/Restaurants, Retail stores There is also a legal requirement that every workplace should have suitable and sufficient emergency lighting and that suitable and sufficient emergency lighting shall be provided and maintained in any room in which persons at work are specifically exposed to danger in the event of failure of artificial lighting.

Q Why is it important to maintain power and wiring devices with a property?
It is important to be compliant with health and safety regulations and make sure that any wiring or power device within a property meets with the most current regulations. By maintaining wiring, distribution boards etc. it also ensures peace of mind. By checking and maintaining power systems within our property we reduce the risk of overloading devices, fire risks, making sure wiring is safe and no items are obsolete or pose any risk.
Q What is an RCD and what are the benefits?

An RCD is a residual current device designed to protect against electrocution and electrical fires but cutting of the power supply when it senses a leakage of an electrical current from a circuit. An RCD monitors electric currents in one or more circuits or in an individual item by monitoring the live and neutral wires. These two wires normally have an equal value but if a fault occurs and the electricity it is monitoring changes to a different path this would trigger the RCD to switch off the electricity automatically. For example, cutting through a cable with a power tool, providing the power tool was plugged into a socket or a circuit which was RCD protected the power would switch off and eliminate the chances of injury from electrocution. RCD protection also offer protection against electrical fires.

Q Where can you have RCD protection?

The main form of RCD protection is in your consumer unit. The number of circuits being protected can vary and be altered to suit your needs when an installation is being carried out. You may only want to RCD protect your downstairs circuits. You can also get RCD protected plug in sockets than are transportable, you can plug them in to any socket in your house, offering you protection whenever and wherever you need it, or you can have an external socket made RCD so you are always protected when using any gardening equipment.

More Electrical services
Power

Everything we use within our home or business on a daily basis requires power to function. This can range from consumer units to socket outlets.

What we can help with:

  •     Switchgear - Consumer Units and Distribution Boards
  •  &nb
Lighting

Lighting plays an integral part in our daily lives and often does not receive the recognition that it deserves. When used correctly lighting can produce spectacular effects, creating an atmosphere both internally and externally.

Lighting can help to create character in what could b

Heating

Electric heating is an ideal choice for heating a closed space, as it can be controlled easily with an almost immediate effect. There is also no requirement for a boiler with electric heating, meaning one less thing to maintain. Spaces can be heated in a variety of ways with no wastage as electri

Emergency Lighting

Emergency lighting are light fittings which contain a battery back up or are connected to a central power supply.  Emergency lights are set-up to come on automatically in the event of any power outages or power cuts.

Emergency lights provide a safe and practical solution

Fire Alarms

Having a fire alarm system in your house or property should be one of the most important things you ever purchase. Acting as a warning system when smoke or fire are present, a fire alarm can save your family, home and possessions by acting as an early intervention to make you aware of any danger.

Fixed Wire Testing

All our electrical inspecting and testing are carried out to the most up to date IEE wiring regulations. We are certified by SELECT (Scottish Electrical Contractors Association) and NICEIC (National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting) to carry out the follow

Frost Protection

What is Frost protection and trace heating

Frost protection or trace heating involve protecting certain areas in or around the house from becoming too cold and not being able to function properly. Frost protection works by running electrical heating cables a

Ventilation

There are a number of systems which can be apopted to provide extraction and ventilation including, Mechanical Extraction Ventilation (MEV), Decentralised Mechanical Extraction Ventilation (dMEV), standard ventilation and Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery (MVHR). 

EV Car Charging

Approved Electric Vehicle Car Charge Point Installers

Accredited by the Governments Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) and listed as an approved installer for the Energy Savings Trust for Scotland (EST) R.W.Bell are your go to company for installing electric vehicl