Why Do I Need to Carry Out Electrical Testing?

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Testing an electrical system or electronic products is carried out to ensure they are safe for use. The tests identify any potential hazards to the users. Electrical testing is considered a statutory obligation in most cases.

If your premises, property, or business is open to the public, you need yearly inspections. Even a private dwelling must be tested for potential hazards every three years. Failure to do so may result in terrible accidents that may seem avoidable in hindsight. Make sure to engage in testing, preferably by experienced electricians at Hexo Services, and remain safe from potential electrical accidents.

Legal Requirements in Electrical Testing

People often overlook electrical testing because of ignorance. They ignore the warnings and continue to assert ‘everything will be just fine.’ This is a highly irresponsible attitude and must be discouraged.

The UK administration has made electrical testing necessary for all landlords or business owners.

  • Fixed electrical installations must be certified for safety and compliance with the BS-7671:2018 regulations.
  • Fixed wire testing is lawfully required for business owners or landlords. They must guarantee that all electrical wiring or equipment is benign and regularly maintained. It is the only way to act in accordance with the Electricity at Work Regulations, 1989.
  • Some insurance firms, licensing authorities, and landlords also demand proof of fixed wire testing before committing to an agreement. A lack of relevant certification may result in the breach of the said agreement.

Electrical Testing is Very Important

It is imperative that you arrange;

  • Testing got electrical equipment fixed, like sockets, lights, cables, etc.
  • Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) for any electrical appliance that has a plug on it.

This requirement extends to all types of installations, whether they are industrial, commercial, or domestic. Homeowners who want to sell a house can get better rates when presenting an EICR (Electric Installation Condition Report) to the buyer.

Safety for Electrical Products

Electrical safety is legally mandated in almost every major country in the world. Careful testing helps prevent unsafe products from reaching the market, significantly decreasing property damage, as well as physical injuries or casualties. The responsible manufacturers do not have to engage in the expensive practice of product recall or litigation.

Manufacturers with tested and certified products give the potential buyers and the public a clear signal that they are fully committed to user safety. It can even boost their sales and image of reliability among the users.

It is the duty of both the producer and the designer to ensure their product is safe for use. By no means it is guaranteed that the danger is eliminated, even with safety verification. It simply means that majority of potentially accidental avenues have closed. The user still has to use the electrical product with the proper precautions.

Shock Hazards and their Tests

Shock hazards differ in severity from a mild tingling sensation to a fully lethal jolt. The primary reason behind electrical testing is to identify, correct and eliminate shock hazards. Electrical shocks include the following four tests;

  • Leakage Current Test: It evaluates if the leakage current of AC/DC power flowing to the ground terminal is above the standard limit.
  • Di-Electric Withstand: Also called Hipot Test. This test applies a high voltage to the power and ground terminal circuit of a product in order to measure its collapse status.
  • Isolation Resistance Test: It measures the electrical isolation status of a product.
  • Protective Ground: It inspects if the accessible metallic mechanical parts of a machine need grounding.

Even if a product requires an electrical power source, it should not present any danger to the user. These tests ensure it.

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