8.5 Portable appliances

Question 1

IET Guidance recognises that different inspection and maintenance regimes are required for different types of portable electrical equipment and categorises equipment as follows:

Answer 1

S Stationary equipment, such as a refrigerator or washing machine. P Portable equipment 18kg or less intended to be moved while in operation. Examples: toaster, food mixer or kettle. IT IT equipment, such as computers, printers and monitors or telecommunications equipment. H Hand-held equipment intended to be held in the hand during normal use. Examples: hairdryer or power drill. M Movable equipment 18 kg or less in mass and not fixed. Examples: electric fire or small welding set.

Question 2

The suitability of work equipment is considered from three aspects:

Answer 2

 its initial integrity  the place where it will be used  the purpose for which it will be used.

Question 3

A system of periodic inspection and testing is necessary to demonstrate that this duty is being fulfilled. The system would typically involve the following levels of checks:

Answer 3

(1) Checks by the user. (2) Formal visual inspections by a person trained and appointed to carry them out. (3) Combined inspection and tests by an electrically competent person.

Question 4

The inspection carried out in conjunction with testing should usually include checking:

Answer 4

 the correct polarity of supply cables  correct fusing, effective termination of cables and cores  that the equipment is suitable for its environment.

Question 5

Combined inspection and testing requires an appropriate degree of competence to interpret test results. Basically, there are two levels of competence:

Answer 5

 A person who is not skilled in electrical work may routinely use a simple ‘pass/fail’ type of portable appliance tester.  A person with appropriate electrical skills uses a more sophisticated instrument that gives actual readings requiring interpretation.