The Importance of Electrical Testing

Electricity is a crucial element in modern living, without it there would be no lighting, no heating and no internet. Clearly, we need electricity, but we also need to make sure that our electrical supplies are safe. Electricity, after all, is a powerful form of energy, and one which can quickly become unstable; it also has the potential to cause huge damage and even death. Therefore, it’s important that your electrical supplies are correctly tested.

What are the Types of Electrical Testing?

Electrical testing is a legal requirement that landlords and business owners must adhere to. They need to be able to demonstrate that their electrical systems are safe to use, and the simplest way to prove this is through electrical testing such as:

• Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR): this report is used to analyse a building’s electrical and wiring systems to determine their condition. The first step involves completing a visual assessment to pick up on any visual clues that the systems are damaged e.g. cracked wiring, signs of burning and any breaks in the system. The next step delves deeper and involves dead testing the wires and investigating the quality of failsafe systems alongside earthing and bonding checks. If your system is deemed to be compliant with regulations, the electrician will then issue your EICR.

• Portable Appliance Testing (PAT): one of the most recognisable electrical tests is the PAT test. This involves individual electrical devices – such as kettles, computers and portable heaters – being tested to identify any faults. These tests include checking any plugs, plug sockets, cables and appliances which are powered by your electrical supply. Once these devices are shown to have passed continuity, insulation and lead polarity tests, an electrician will be able to confirm they are safe to use.

It’s important to bear in mind that whilst an EICR will only need completing every five years, PAT tests should be completed on stationary and IT equipment every four years while extension leads and portable equipment should be tested every two years.

What Will Fail an Electrical Test?

Electrical tests are complex and comprehensive, so an electrical supply needs to be in excellent condition to pass. The following problems will cause supplies and appliances to fail electrical testing:

• Electrical equipment or supplies which are overloaded
• A lack of adequate earthing or bonding
• Any issues that indicate there is a risk or fire or electrical shock e.g. split wiring
• Evidence of poorly completed electrical work
• Electrical appliances being used incorrectly
• Incorrect fuses being fitted to electrical appliances
• Damaged plugs and sockets

Electrical Tests are Vital

The importance of electrical testing cannot be overstated. Living and working with dangerous electrical supplies is dangerous for everyone involved. Therefore, it makes sense to establish a regular testing schedule for your electric supplies and appliances. Not only will this provide you with peace of mind and safety, but it will ensure you comply to legal requirements.

Who Can Carry Out Electrical Testing?

The only person who can carry out electrical testing is a registered electrician. Regardless of your own experience and knowledge, unless you are a registered and qualified electrician, you should never attempt to carry out electrical testing yourself. Not only will the results of the test be void, but you risk harming yourself and damaging your electrical supply

For additional electrical articles please visit our main BLOG page here 

Electrical safety testing is not just a legal obligation - it also leads to design improvements and good technical documentation.

Here are five important reasons to have your product tested for electrical safety before it goes to market.

1. Electrical safety testing is legally required for CE marking

Fulfilling the requirements of the relevant directives is a legal requirement to market products in the EU. Corresponding regulations apply outside the EU. Documentation that these requirements have been met must be kept in a technical file and made accessible for inspection during the period in which the product is marketed plus ten additional years. This technical file is required in order to prepare an EU Declaration of Conformity and to have your product CE marked.

Remember that there is always a legal obligation to ensure that your product is safe before bringing it to market. The legal requirements for electrical safety may be determined by the Low Voltage Directive, the Medical Device Directive (soon The Medical Device Regulation), the Radio Equipment Directive, the Machinery Directive (soon the Machinery Regulation), or other relevant directives. If a product is not already covered by other directives, the General Product Safety Directive (GPSD, soon GPSR) serves as a catch-all. 

A common misconception is that there are no safety requirements for electronic products as long as the voltage is low enough. Indeed, some low-voltage products are not covered by the Low Voltage Directive, but in those cases, another applicable directive will still impose electrical safety requirements. Dangerous products may not be sold.

2.

It minimises the risk of damage or injury when using electric or electronic products

An electrical safety test provides insight into whether or not one's product is safely designed, such that one can avoid or reduce the risk of the product being the cause of damage or injury to people, pets and property. The product must therefore be designed and produced in such a way that a potentially dangerous condition, in which an internal or external event may result in damage - that is, a hazard - does not arise.

Safety standards address hazards that may lead to damage or injury as a result of electrical shock, energy discharge, fire, heat, mechanical conditions (e.g., sharp edges, crushing, moving parts), radiation (e.g. RF, IR, UV, laser, sound, radioactivity), or chemical conditions (e.g. toxic materials, liquids, smoke, vapour).