Portable appliance testing (commonly known as "PAT testing") is the name of a process in by which electrical appliances are routinely checked for safety. Testing involves a visual inspection of the equipment and any flexible cables for good condition, and also where required, verification of earthing (grounding) continuity, and a test of the soundness of insulation between the current carrying parts, and any exposed metal that may be touched. The formal limits for pass/fail of these electrical tests vary somewhat depending on the category of equipment being tested.
Whilst battery powered portable appliances may not be dangerous and cause fatalities it is the ones connected to the electrical supply which could cause serious accidents. That does not mean that battery operated portable appliances should not be checked. All portable appliances need to be checked regularly and assessed for their suitability to perform at optimum efficiency. These portable appliances would be used for various uses some of which would be to transfer monies during point of sale transactions. This is a very important chore that these appliances perform hence there cannot be any anomalies during such sensitive operations. It is in this context and many more that it is imperative every portable appliance be thoroughly checked and given the thumbs up.
To ensure optimum compliance to the execution of the order given to any portable appliance is adhered to and concluded successfully it should operate at maximum levels of efficiency. To ensure this happens time in and time out, which means at all times without any defects jeopardizing the order given they need to be checked. The standard procedure adopted is to use a portable appliance tester which is popularly referred to as a pat tester.
The need for portable appliance testing or “pat”
We are aware by experience that there is many a slip between the cup and the lip, and it is without any warning that some disasters or in this instance appliance breakdown happens. A portable appliance may refuse to obey an order given to it when the required buttons are pressed requiring that order to be executed. Many integrated operations within that organization could come to an abrupt standstill if that occurs. Hence it is imperative that the pat tester is put to use on a regular basis to ensure that all portable appliances are operational at optimum levels of efficiency.
If your organization depends on portable appliances to do either run of the mill operations or very sensitive transactions then it is very important that the pat tester is put to good use. Surely you would not want to run from pillar to post every time any of your portable appliances packs up to hinder your operations. The pat tester is your passport to the efficient operation of all your portable appliances.