In-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment, commonly known as ‘Portable Appliance Testing’, is a vital part of making sure that the various types of electrical equipment within a work environment are maintained in a safe condition. Many questions are put to the IET on this subject so this article looks at discussing some of these, including legislation related to in-service inspection and testing, training required to carry out formal inspection and testing, test equipment and implementation of an inspection and testing programme.
What is the Legislation for in-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment?
In-service inspection and testing is not a specific legal requirement. Regulation 4(2) of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 states ‘As may be necessary to prevent danger, all systems shall be maintained so as to prevent, so far is as reasonably practicable, such danger’. Electrical equipment forms part of an electrical system and as such would need to be maintained in some way to ensure safety. However, it is recognised that regular in-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment is required to maintain equipment and thus comply with this regulation. Anyone who inspects and tests an electrical equipment system must be competent to undertake such work as they control that part of the electrical system while carrying out the maintenance activity.
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 requires work equipment to be constructed in such a way that it is suitable for the purpose for which it is to be used. Regulation 4(1) states: ‘Every employer shall ensure that work equipment is so constructed or adapted as to be suitable for the purpose for which it is used or provided’. Regulation 5(1) is specifically related to maintenance and states: ‘Every employer shall ensure that work equipment is maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and good repair’. In this regulation ‘efficient’ means the condition of the equipment in relation to health and safety. Therefore, in-service inspecting and testing of electrical equipment should be included within the maintenance regime for a work environment.
What training is required to carry out in-service inspection and testing?
Regulation 16 of the Electricity at Work Regulations requires persons to be competent to prevent danger and injury. Therefore persons performing inspection and testing of electrical equipment should be trained to do so in order to make sure of their own safety and the safety of others. The training should cover all the appropriate technical knowledge required to perform
the activity including the understanding of the results generated.
There are specific training courses related to in-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment available from a number of electrotechnical training providers, which are typically one day courses. City and Guilds has a formal qualification in this subject, namely the Level 3 Certificate for the Code of Practice for In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment (2377). This has two specific qualifications. The first is the Level 3 Certificate in Management of Electrical Equipment Maintenance. As the title implies this qualification is aimed at managers and administrators of work places that need to implement an inspection and testing regime. This would equally apply to organisations providing maintenance and testing services. The second is the Level 3 Certificate for the Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment. This qualification is aimed at persons undertaking and recording the inspecting and testing of electrical equipment.
Some training providers offer courses that lead to gaining the City and Guilds qualifications. Others offer courses that are aligned to the IET Code of Practice for Inservice Inspection and Testing but are not a formal qualification. As a minimum a course syllabus should be confirmed that it aligns to the Code of Practice. When choosing a training course it is worth considering that the electrical industry recognises the formal City and Guilds qualifications e.g. 2382 for requirements for electrical installations BS 7671 and 2391 certificate in inspecting, testing and certification of electrical installations as part of the evidence for competency. Therefore it would seem logical to choose a course that leads to gaining the appropriate 2377 qualification. It is also worth checking the types of appliance test equipment a training provider would use during a course to align with what an organisation already uses or intends to use, so that the training directly relates to what will be used in practice. Some training providers offer customized courses in this respect.
To view the full article and tables from the IET's Wiring Matters Autumn 2009, click on the attachment below...