Test Undertaken
Assuming that equipment passes the visual inspection, the equipment can now be tested. Brief descriptions of the tests are detailed below indicating appropriate tests for the different classes of equipment.
| Earth Continuity | This test ensures that an earth is present between the metalwork of an appliance and the earth pin of a plug top. This test is carried out on all Class 1 and some Class 3 equipment. |
| Insulation Resistance | This test is to indicate any breakdown in the insulation protecting the conductors. This test is carried out on all classes of equipment. Electronic equipment is exempt. |
| Load Test | This test checks that the equipment and fuses operate correctly and applies to all classes of equipment. |
| Earth Leakage | This test measures the leakage current to earth during the operation of the appliance and once again applies to all classes of equipment. |
Test Equipment
All Portable Appliance testing is to be carried out by PHR using appropriate instrumentation that should be calibrated regularly.
Reporting
It is best practise that all the results of inspection and testing should be collated to form a register. Using this information it is possible for employers to establish a safe frequency of testing based on the failure rates, age and condition of equipment and the environment in which it is used.
Labelling
Each appliance/lead that passes inspection and test will be issued with it's own identification number. This number along with the retest due date and details of the test engineer should be affixed to each unit tested.
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