PAT testing vs visual inspection
User checks, formal visual inspection and combined inspection and testing answer different questions. HSE says many faults are visible, while some defects require electrical measurements. A good maintenance regime selects the least intrusive action that still controls the real risk.
Check my situationMatch the check to the defect and risk
User checks catch obvious damage during normal work. Formal visual inspection uses a competent, structured examination, often with access to plugs and equipment details. Combined testing adds measurements where construction, use or possible internal faults justify them.
- Which foreseeable defects can a trained user see before use?
- Which checks need equipment opened, classified or inspected by a competent person?
- Which remaining faults require a suitable electrical measurement to detect?
What to do next: Write one maintenance table that names each equipment group, check type, responsible person, interval, failure action and review evidence. Use defects and test history to shorten or extend intervals instead of repeating the same cycle without review.
User checks
Users can look for damaged plugs, loose cable grips, exposed conductors, damaged casings, overheating and unsuitable taped repairs before or during use. They should know how to report and isolate suspect equipment.
User checks work between planned inspections. They do not authorise untrained people to open plugs, repair equipment or decide that damaged equipment is safe.
Formal visual inspection
A structured inspection by a competent person can identify defects missed in everyday use and verify equipment type, plug, cable, fuse, casing, markings and suitability for the environment.
- Identify the item and equipment class
- Inspect cable, plug and enclosure
- Check signs of heat, contamination or misuse
- Record defects and action
- Set or review the next interval
Combined inspection and testing
Electrical measurements add evidence where visual inspection cannot establish continued safety. The selected tests must suit the equipment and be interpreted by someone who understands the results.
Do not assume that an instrument pass cancels a visible defect. HSE states that visual examination is an essential part of portable appliance testing.