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A competent person is defined as - 'A person possessing sufficient technical knowledge or experience to be capable of ensuring that injury is prevented.

The IEE Code of Practice recognises four test situations:

    • Type Testing to an appropriate standard
    • Production testing
    • In-Service testing
    • Testing after repair

When it comes to Portable Appliance Testing, we are only concerned with In Service Testing.

These are routine tests in order to determine whether the equipment is in a satisfactory condition.

In-Service testing will involve the following:

    • Preliminary inspection
    • Earth continuity tests (for Class 1 equipment)
    • Insulation testing (Which may sometimes be substituted by earth leakage measurement)
    • Functional checks

Portable Appliance Testing should only be performed by a person who is competent in the safe use of the test equipment and who knows how to interpret the test results obtained. This person must be capable of inspecting the equipment and, where necessary, dismantling it to check the cable connections.

If equipment is permanently connected to the fixed installation (e.g. by a flex outlet or other accessory), the accessory will need to be detached from its box or enclosure so that the connections can be inspected. Such work should only be carried out by a competent person.

Who is a Competent Person to carry out the Inspection and Testing?

The Electricity at Work regulations states:

"No person shall be engaged in any work activity where technical knowledge or experience is necessary to prevent danger, or where appropriate, injury, unless he possesses such knowledge or experience, or is under such degree of supervision as may be appropriate having regard to the nature of the work"

The IEE Code of Practice states that those carrying out the inspection and testing must be competent to undertake the inspection and, where
appropriate, testing of electrical equipment and appliances having due regard of their own safety and that of others. What should be considered is that the 'danger' to be prevented, includes not only the dangers which may arise during the testing procedure to the tester and others, but also the dangers that may arise at a later date as a result of using equipment which has not been
effectively tested.

The tester must have an understanding of the modes of electrical, mechanical or thermal damage to electrical equipment and appliances and their flexes which may be encountered in any environment.

Training must include the identification of equipment and appliance types to determine the test procedures and frequency of inspection
and testing. Persons testing must be familiar with the test instruments used and in particular their limitations and restrictions so as to achieve
repeatable results without damaging the equipment or the appliance.