What Needs To Be Tested
All portable equipment, appliances, electric hand tools, extension leads, power boards and portable residual current devices (safety switches) must be regularly tested for electrical safety.
This includes the following examples:
OFFICE: computers and laptop chargers, portable printers & scanners, portable lighting, portable heater/cooler, portable radios/stereos, portable phone chargers (including mobile phone chargers), overhead projector, data projectors and electric whiteboards, any power boards and extension cords, vacuum cleaners.
KITCHEN: electric fry pans, toaster ovens, sandwich presses etc, non fixed microwaves, portable electric mixers, food processors, portable electric coffee machine and grinder, any power boards, extension cords, vacuum cleaners.
ACCOMMODATION: toasters, kettles and other portable cooking equipment, stereos, radios, DVD players, TVs and similar, portable lamps and heaters, hair dryers, bedside clocks, electric blankets, iron, all extension leads and power boards, portable phone chargers, vacuum cleaners.
SCHOOLS: computers and laptop chargers, portable printers, laminators & scanners, overhead projector, data projectors and electric whiteboards, toasters, kettles and other portable cooking equipment, stereos, radios, DVD players, TVs and similar, portable lamps and heaters, portable phone chargers, all extension leads, power boards and vacuum cleaners.
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Type Of Environment In Which Equipment Is Used
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Interval Between Inspection And Tests |
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Class Of Equipment |
Additional Testing For Portable RCDs |
Cord Extension Sets And EPODs |
Fixed RCD/RCBO |
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Class I |
Class II |
Push Button Test (by user) |
Test For Operation |
Test For Operation |
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Construction and demolition sites |
3 Mths |
3 Mths |
Immediately after connection to a socket outlet, and every day in use |
3 Mths |
3 Mths |
3 Mths |
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Factories, Workshops and places of work, manufacturing, repair, assembly, maintenance or fabrication |
6 Mths |
6 Mths |
Daily or before every use, whichever is longer |
1yr |
6mth |
1yr |
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Other commercial environments with no special protection, e.g. laboratories, tea rooms, office kitchens, and health care establishments. Where equipment or supply flexible cord is subject to flexing, is open to abuse or in a hostile environment |
1yr |
1yr |
3mth, or before every use, whichever is longer |
1yr |
1yr |
1yr |
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Environment where equipment is not subject to constant flexing of the supply cord, not open to abuse or not in a hostile environment |
5yr |
5yr |
3mth |
2yr |
5yr |
2yr |
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Hire Equipment inspection |
Before each hire & every 3 months |
Before each hire & every 3 months |
Before each hire |
Before each hire & every 3 months |
Before each hire |
Before each hire & every 1yr |
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New equipment and repaired/serviced equipment |
Prior to introduction to service and /or after servicing |
Prior to introduction to service and /or after servicing |
Prior to introduction to service and /or after servicing |
Prior to introduction to service and /or after servicing |
Prior to introduction to service and /or after servicing |
Prior to introduction to service and /or after servicing |