This week we’re looking at the visual inspection, not the user inspection but the Formal Visual Inspection carried out by PAT Technicians on appliances.

A Formal Visual Inspection should only be performed by a competent person. This usually means someone who has undertaken training in PAT testing and gained a certificate of competence.

When performing the Formal Visual Inspection, first the appliance must be assessed to ascertain its suitability for the environment. So, the PAT Technician should decide if the equipment being used is suitable for that job and environment.

Checks should then be carried out to identify if appliances are being used in accordance with the manufacturer’s requirements. So things like:

  • Finding all cables to avoid damage
  • Finding how the item disconnects or can be isolated
  • Finding the ventilation and ensuring there is enough
  • Ensuring all other items are out of reach or away from potential damage
  • Ensuring the appliance is not in a position which stretches the cable
  • Ensuring the appliance is being used with all covers and doors attached
  • Ensuring there are no overloaded sockets and adaptors
  • Checking that the cables aren’t a trip hazard

The PAT Technician should ensure that the user can isolate the appliance from the electrical socket in general daily use. They should also ask the user if they are aware of any faults and if the appliance works correctly.

Once this has been done, the Technician should inspect:

  • The flexible cable to identify any faults or problems,
  • The socket outlet
  • The appliance itself to ensure there are no cracks, breaks or other problems
  • The plug head to ensure there are no problems or issues with it

For equipment with a re-wriable plug facility Technicians should inspect:

  • Detachable power cords for class I equipment to ensure it has a CPC
  •  Signs of overheating
  • Cord security, polarity and connections on the internal inspection
  • Cord security and burning smells for non-rewirable plugs
  • The fuse size, BS mark and ASTA mark
  • The plug casing and its security
  • The flexible cable connection and anchorage

Once the Formal Visual Inspection is completed, the PAT Technician can move on to the electrical tests; assuming that the appliance has passed the visual inspection. If however, the appliance fails the visual inspection, there is no need to do any further tests, the appliance should get a failed label and recorded as a failed item in the logbook.

Are there any other visual checks you regularly carry out on your PAT inspections?

Written by Sara Thomson