It’s believed that electricity-related accidents are among the most common in the country. The high number is due to the fact that electric-powered appliances are the norm of everyday living today. And unfortunately, many people tend to not pay attention to the state of safety of their appliances until a problem occurs.
Luckily, electrical hazards can be mitigated by carrying out regular tests like Portable Appliance Testing (PAT). Read on to learn more about PAT testing and why it’s essential for residential properties and their inhabitants.
What Is PAT Testing?
Generally, PAT testing refers to checking electrical appliances and ensuring they’re safe to use for residential purposes. It involves the following steps:
- Identify all the electrical appliances in your residential property. These include your television, lamps, hairdryers, washing machine, fridge, and microwave.
- Conduct the test on all appliances you identify using a PAT tester.
- Record the test findings conducted and determine whether you’re meeting the electrical safety requirements in your state. The paperwork will be given at the end of the testing process.
The abovementioned steps are followed when performing PAT testing on household appliances. However, you might wonder if you can do the said test yourself. Generally, there are no specific requirements for becoming a PAT tester.
But given the safety hazards associated with electrical appliances, a PAT tester should have adequate knowledge and electrical work experience before they can conduct a test. If you want to become a certified tester, you must complete a PAT testing course facilitated by a reputable training center and pass the certification exam.
Importance Of PAT Testing For Residential Properties
Now that you know the basics of PAT testing, it’s time to familiarize yourself with its importance to residential property owners.
Below are the reasons why PAT testing is advantageous to everyday homeowners:
- Lowered Risk Of Electrical Accidents
As mentioned earlier, using unsafe electrical appliances may cause catastrophic accidents. Their performance begins to decline over time, and, in turn, they become defective. This can result in electrocution and electrical fire, which are both unfortunate accidents. And in some worst-case scenarios, people will get injured or lose their lives, and properties will get damaged.
To avoid such situations, conducting a PAT test is essential. It allows you to inspect all electronic appliances and identify their faults. Consequently, you can get them fixed or replaced before something terrible happens.
Hence, to reduce the risk of electrical accidents, ensure your appliances are PAT tested regularly.
- Improved Service Lifespan Of Home Appliances
Like other items in your residential properties, your electrical appliances can be considered significant investments. Because of this, it’s crucial to maintain these valuable possessions to get the most out of your investments.
Also, if your electrical appliances become faulty from time to time, you’ll likely spend more money on costly repairs and replacements. With a PAT test, you can identify and repair any electrical defects before they become more serious problems – increasing the service lifespan of your appliances and protecting your investments.
- Avoid Denial Of Insurance Claim
Some insurance companies require policyholders to comply with your state’s safety regulations. This is especially true if your policy covers electrical accidents. For this reason, you should ensure your electrical appliances are adequately maintained and safe to use. This is one of the reasons why PAT testing is vital for residential properties.
Suppose you file an insurance claim concerning an electrical accident on your residential property. In that case, your insurance company will more likely deny your claim if your electrical appliances aren’t inspected and tested regularly for their safety. Thus, investing in PAT testing is essential to ensure a favorable outcome for your insurance claim in case of untoward accidents.
- Ensures Compliance With Safety Regulations
Generally, electrical safety rules and regulations are in place to help residential property owners keep their properties safe against electrical accidents. Failure to comply with these legal requirements may result in hefty penalties and issues with the government agency implementing the said laws.
To avoid legal problems, comply with the electrical safety regulations by conducting a PAT test. When your electrical appliances are thoroughly inspected and tested, you’ll receive paperwork that serves as proof of compliance with your legal responsibilities as a residential property owner. As a result, you can avoid unnecessary legal trouble.
Wrapping Up
While it may not be a mandatory requirement for some states, PAT testing can effectively keep electrical appliances and devices safe. When they’re checked and tested, residential property owners like you can have peace of mind knowing your occupants and property are safe from electrical hazards. Therefore, if you consider investing in PAT testing, remember the information mentioned above to understand the importance of the procedure to your appliances’ safety.
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