Testing electrical items

As a retired electrical engineer from the UK I applaud Stuart Rose's article on the use of electricity at work and home. However, I would make one point regarding PAT (portable appliance testing).

In the UK, normally PAT is valid for 12 months from the date when the test was carried out, but a lot can happen in 12 months and I would suggest that in reality it is only valid for the day of the test, so in general a complete waste of time. Most electrical items are not portable e.g. cigarette machines, gambling machines, computers, etc, are generally plugged in situ and left where they are installed.

The only electrical appliances that need PAT are rental tools, but how many people would even bother to check the PAT tag before use? In the UK, PAT is only mandatory in commerce and industrial applications or rental accommodation. In my professional opinion all installations should be RCD (residual current device) protected which would allow automatic disconnection should a fault occur. It is vitally important that the fuse used in the plug top is appropriate for the appliance it is used with. If it comes with a three-amp then it should not be replaced with a 13-amp. Remember, the fuse in the plug will not save you from electrocution - it is only there for the cord.