Types of Appliance or Equipment requiring Portable Appliance Testing....

Type of Portable Electrical Appliances are considered to be:

Portable appliance

An appliance of less than 18kg in mass that is intended to be moved whilst in operation or an appliance which can easily be moved from one place to another, e.g. vacuum cleaner, toaster, kettle, desk lamp, microwaves, extension cables etc.

Hand Held equipment

This is portable equipment intended to be held in the hand during normal use, for example a power drill, soldering iron or a hair drier etc.

Movable equipment (Transportable)

Includes un-fixed equipment of 18kg or less in weight and intended to be moved or capable of moving from one location to another, for example a portable electric heater, welding equipment, air conditioning unit, water cooler, water heaters and urns, large coffee machines, high power jet washer etc.

This equipment may be provided with castors, wheels or other means to assist movement by the operator.

Stationary equipment

This equipment has a weight exceeding 18kg and is not provided with a carrying handle, e.g. refrigerator or drinks vending machines. In commercial environments such as shops you often have large freezer cabinets which fall into this category. In order for such items to be tested it will be necessary for clients to arrange access to the equipment, cable, plug and the means of isolation. This may involve emptying and moving equipment in order to facilitate testing.

Information Technology (IT) Equipment

IT equipment includes the usual mains powered electronic business equipment such as computers, monitors, fax machines and photo copiers. This also includes telecommunications equipment. The testing of IT equipment requires that users save any work, log out of any network and shutdown the equipment, this will be done one workstation at a time, in order to avoid disruption as far as possible.

Any equipment considered to be IT controlled or sensitive electronic equipment likely to be damaged by standard portable appliance testing methods, these will be tested using 'soft test' procedures as employed when testing IT Equipment.

IEC Computer Power Supply Leads & Laptop PSU detachable IEC Leads legally require seperate testing - These will be tested & charged separately in addition to the equipment they supply.

Extension Leads & Reels

The use of extension leads should be avoided where possible. If used, they should be tested as portable appliances. It is recommended that only 3-core leads (including a protective earth conductor) be used. This area covers extension reels and multi-way extension strips.

For Portable Appliance Testing purposes IEC computer power supply leads are treat in the same way as standard extension leads.

Fixed Equipment

This is equipment or an appliance which is fastened in a specific location for example a hand drier onto a wall and connected to the mains supply by means of a removable plug. In situations where an item of fixed equipment is 'hard wired' into a fused spur portable appliance testing will not be performed. This should be done during a Periodic Inspection.

Built in Equipment

This equipment is intended to be installed in a prepared space such as a kitchen cupboard designed to accept it. Usually such equipment has additional protection from electric shock by the fact that all sides of the equipment are not accessible. For example a built in dishwasher, glass washer or refrigerator. In order for such items to be tested it will be necessary for clients to arrange access to the equipment, cable, plug and the means of isolation. This may involve emptying and moving equipment in order to facilitate testing.

In situations where an item of Built in equipment is 'hard wired' rather than a removable plug, portable appliance testing will not be performed. This should be done during a Periodic Inspection.