The safety of electrical appliances or devices is important, especially in those environments in which the regular use of such a device poses a potential hazard to large numbers of people in case of a malfunction. Guidelines for labeling of electrical devices have evolved from a basic hand-written sign to more precise indicators of not only the status of the device itself, but of the status of both the internal and external wiring. The present standard for the visual reporting of the safety of a particular electrical appliance or device are the use of PAT test labels.
The requirements for PAT test labels are established and monitored under the auspices of the Department of Environment Property and Services Agency through City and Guilds, the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The guidelines that address the use of PAT test labels vary according to the frequency of use and potential of hazard for each electrical device. Additionally, the environment in which the device or appliance is used dictates the amount of required information on a test label, as well as the intervals of testing.
PAT test labels come in a variety of templates, due to the lack of a standardized labeling format. This is not a reflection of an inconsistency in regulating safety reporting as much as it is a response to the various scenarios in which electrical devices are used. Those devices found in a manufacturing environment, for instance, require a more frequent and a more thorough and precise inspection than those that are used in less stringent applications, such as offices or hotels. However, any situation in which electrical components are used on a regular basis, especially where high numbers of people are present, will require the application of PAT test labels.
The basic information on PAT test labels will address whether or not the device in question is safe for current usage. There are situations that only require a visual inspection of a device to ascertain its safety status, although this would be in the case of the most basic of electrical devices. However, the majority of appliances, tools, and devices that contain advanced circuitry will require a more involved testing procedure. For this purpose, there are several types of testing tools available from the most basic “pass/fail” type to more precise testing tools that address earth continuity and insulation resistance and polarity.
The PAT test labels most often used contain information about the availability of the tested device for use, as well as the date the test was performed. Other labels may indicate relevant information as to the date of the next suggested or required test, or how long the device may be used until it must be taken out of rotation until being tested. Some PAT test labels will only indicate that the device has been tested for electrical safety, which is a more presumptive report of its safety status. In all situations in which a test label is used, there will be some type of backlog or journal that provides a history of the status of the electrical appliance or device to which it is affixed for further reference.
The requirements for PAT test labels are established and monitored under the auspices of the Department of Environment Property and Services Agency through City and Guilds, the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The guidelines that address the use of PAT test labels vary according to the frequency of use and potential of hazard for each electrical device. Additionally, the environment in which the device or appliance is used dictates the amount of required information on a test label, as well as the intervals of testing.
PAT test labels come in a variety of templates, due to the lack of a standardized labeling format. This is not a reflection of an inconsistency in regulating safety reporting as much as it is a response to the various scenarios in which electrical devices are used. Those devices found in a manufacturing environment, for instance, require a more frequent and a more thorough and precise inspection than those that are used in less stringent applications, such as offices or hotels. However, any situation in which electrical components are used on a regular basis, especially where high numbers of people are present, will require the application of PAT test labels.
The basic information on PAT test labels will address whether or not the device in question is safe for current usage. There are situations that only require a visual inspection of a device to ascertain its safety status, although this would be in the case of the most basic of electrical devices. However, the majority of appliances, tools, and devices that contain advanced circuitry will require a more involved testing procedure. For this purpose, there are several types of testing tools available from the most basic “pass/fail” type to more precise testing tools that address earth continuity and insulation resistance and polarity.
The PAT test labels most often used contain information about the availability of the tested device for use, as well as the date the test was performed. Other labels may indicate relevant information as to the date of the next suggested or required test, or how long the device may be used until it must be taken out of rotation until being tested. Some PAT test labels will only indicate that the device has been tested for electrical safety, which is a more presumptive report of its safety status. In all situations in which a test label is used, there will be some type of backlog or journal that provides a history of the status of the electrical appliance or device to which it is affixed for further reference.
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