Portable Appliance testing (P.A.T) - continued...

Inspection/testing levels required depend on the risk of the appliance becoming faulty, which in turn depends on the type of appliance, the nature of its use and the environment in which it is used. The National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers define portable appliances as "any electrical item which can or is intended, to be moved whilst connected to an electrical supply."

The IEE Code of Practice gives guidance on the various equipment types :

• 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. vaccuum cleaner or food mixer



• Transportable equipment - this equipment is either 18 kg or less in mass and not fixed, e.g. electric fire, or equipment with wheels, castors, etc to allow movement as required to perform its intended function, e.g. air conditioning unit



• Hand Held equipment or appliances - portable equipment intended to be held in the hand during normal use, e.g. hair dryer
  
  
• Stationary equipment or appliances - equipment with a mass exceeding 18kg which is not provided with a carrying handle, e.g. refrigerator



• Fixed Equipment/appliances - equipment which is fastened to a support or otherwise secured in a specific location, e.g. bathroom heater
  
  
• Appliances/equipment for building in - equipment that is intended for installation in a prepared recess such as a cupboard. Often, such equipment does not have exposure on all sides and protection against electrical shock can be provided by the surroundings, e.g. built in electric cooker
  
  
• Information technology equipment - includes electrical business equipment such as computers and mains powered telecommunications equipment, and other equipment for general business use, such as photo-copiers