ELECTRICAL TESTING

The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 requires that all electrical systems (including electrical appliances) are maintained (so far it is reasonable and practicable) to prevent danger.

Electrical Inspection and Testing is an essential part of any organisation and should be carried out at the recommended intervals. Testing of electrical installations and equipment ensures that your property and employees are kept safe, and your business remains compliant with all the electrical regulations and standards that apply.

With regular testing, problem areas can quickly be identified and remedied, preventing costly repairs and business downtime.
John Heaney (Electrical) Limited undertake all forms of electrical inspection and testing to keep you and your business compliant, and your people safe.

The two main risks associated with electricity are electric shock and fire. Every Electrical Installation deteriorates with use and age, and if not periodically inspected and maintained, a breakdown of the installation can occur, leading to overheating, an increased risk of electric shock or even fire. Regular testing of electrical installations and appliances protects against the possible risk of injury to personnel and damage to property.

All aspects of your electrical installation can be inspected and tested for strength, damage, wear, tear, integrity, corrosion, excessive electrical loading, ageing, environmental influences and most importantly compliance with the BS7671:2022 as amended.

John Heaney (Electrical) Limited’s highly qualified workforce are experienced in carrying out all electrical testing. They guarantee to do so with maximum efficiency and minimum inconvenience to the client, even if this means out of normal hours.

What is a portable appliance?

A portable appliance is any electrical item which can be or is intended to be moved whilst connected to an electrical supply or can be disconnected from its socket and taken elsewhere.

Some examples of appliances that you may find in your workplace and that require testing include:

Kettle
Microwave
Vacuum cleaner
Computer
Extension leads
Printer
Toaster

Why do we carry out PAT testing?

25% of all reportable electrical accidents involve portable appliances (figure from HSE). This safety risk has led to several pieces of legislation being introduced by the government.

In accordance with the requirements of BS5266, emergency lighting systems should be periodically tested and inspected to ensure that all luminaires function and are positioned (including signage) correctly.

John Heaney (Electrical) Limited can offer a comprehensive testing and assessment service to include the following:

Battery discharge test
Lumen level output assessment
Survey to assess adequate coverage
Compatibility with BS requirement

By their very nature, emergency lighting systems need to be reliable. But like all electrical installations, they are vulnerable to deterioration or faults developing over time and these may cause the systems to fail. So, it’s essential that suitably qualified engineers test emergency lighting systems regularly.

When a manufacturing business suffers a loss of production due to an electrical problem, the financial implications can be considerable. Even if only one piece of equipment is faulty and shuts down, this will inevitably have a knock-on effect on related processes.

John Heaney (Electrical) Limited therefore recommends that businesses guard against such unnecessary and costly breakdowns by making thermal imaging of electrical plant and equipment part of their regular maintenance programme.

Thermal imaging is a non-invasive procedure which allows the early identification of potential problems such as loose connections or over-heating. Our state-of-the-art thermal imaging camera scans electrical plant and equipment producing detailed information which forms the basis of a full report.

Any vulnerability would be detected and put right before it can cause a costly breakdown and loss of production.

We inspect anything from HV/LV switchgear to busbar sections to UPS switchgear and cells under discharge. We offer load readings for supply and circuits, fault rating system to gauge the severity of the fault and remedial recommendations.

Thermal imaging is one of the most valuable diagnostic tools for predictive maintenance. By detecting anomalies often invisible to the naked eye, thermography allows corrective action to be taken before costly system failures occur.