The fundamental objective of PAT testing is to establish whether a portable appliance is safe to use, or whether it requires repair or replacement. In a commercial business, the employer has a duty to provide a safe working environment and in terms of electrical safety, PAT testing is the established method of ensuring the safety of portable electrical equipment. PAT testing confirms that portable electrical equipment is tested and identified as being safe for ongoing use, or has been identified as requiring remedial action. The PAT testing label is the visual method of providing this confirmation and communicating it.
What does a PAT testing label look like?
A PAT testing label is a small sticker that is attached to an appliance in the most visual location, and in a way that information is readable and the sticker will remain attached to the appliance, at least until the next PAT test is due. The PAT testing label comes in various forms:
- Green – A white label with green lettering normally indicates an appliance has ‘Passed’ the PAT test and is okay to use.
- Red – A white label with red lettering normally indicates an appliance has failed the PAT test and is awaiting remedial action, ie. it should not be used.
- Blue – A white sticker with blue lettering normally indicates that an appliance has only undertaken a visual inspection and is awaiting other standard electrical tests. These are less commonly found than the standard pass and fail labels.
- Cable tie – You may sometimes see a sticker wrapped around a cable using a cable tie.
- Plug labels – Sometimes smaller PAT testing labels are used to stick on the top surface of a plug.
In terms of durability, PAT testing labels should be suitably adhered to an appliance and should not be tampered with or removed. Some PAT testing labels are sold in a metallic material which is more robust and durable.
What information should be contained on a PAT testing label?
The PAT testing labels widely available can vary in terms of what information they contain, but generally speaking you should be able to include:
- Test date – The date on which the applicable test took place
- Pass/Fail – A visual pass or fail indication
- Next test due: A date upon which the next PAT test is due
- Appliance ID number: A unique appliance number used to identify the appliance
- Initials – The tester should initial the label to indicate they carried out the test
There may also be a space left in which to write additional remarks, such as ‘Do not use’ or ‘Awaiting repair’. The information written on a PAT testing label should match with digitally recorded information maintained during the testing process. Although the label should remain attached to the appliance until the next PAT test, which could be in a year’s time, a secondary copy of all the related testing information should be maintained as a back-up and as a more complete set of information. This digital information can include the individual test results and any remarks about the visual inspection or remedial action taken.
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So PAT testing labels should be affixed to all portable appliances to indicate that that they have undertaken PAT testing, and an individual label will indicate the current safety status of the appliance it is attached to. Therefore, a portable appliance should always have a label attached to it so that its safety status is always known.
You can check out our range of PAT testing equipment and accessories from Test Instrument Solutions today.