The reasons for carrying out inspection and testing of electrical equipment is to ascertain what maintenance may need to be carried out. Inspection and testing on it's own will not guarantee compliance with the Electricity at work regulations. Compliance is only obtained by continued maintenance of systems to maintain the safety of those systems and equipment.
Appliance types
Eight specific categories of electrical equipment are covered by the IEE Code of practice:
Portable appliance
Movable equipment
Hand-held appliance or equipment
Stationary equipment or appliances
Fixed equipment
Appliances/equipment for building in
Information technology equipment (business equipment)
Extension leads
The above list may cause a few surprises as to the extent of coverage by the Code of Practice, however according to regulation 4-2 of the EAWR it is documented that ALL electrical equipment needs some form of inspection and testing on a regular basis.
Portable Appliance
This is an appliance that is intended to be moved while in operation or an appliance which can easily be moved from one place to another while connected to the supply. Examples of portable appliances are toasters, food mixers and vacuum cleaners.
18kg or less in mass and not fixed, for example an electric fire, or
Equipment with wheels, castors or other means to facilitate movement by the operator as required to perform it's intended use.
Hand-held appliances or equipment
This is equipment intended to be held in the hand during normal use. Examples of hand-held appliances are hair dryer's, drills, soldering irons and kettles.
Stationary equipment or appliances
This equipment has a mass exceeding 18kg and is not provided with a carrying handle. Examples of stationary equipment are refrigerators, washing machines, etc.
Fixed equipment
This is equipment or an appliance which is fastened to a support or otherwise secured in a specified location. Examples of fixed equipment are bathroom heaters, towel rails, hand dryers etc.
Appliances/equipment for building in
This equipment is intended to be installed in a prepared recess such as a cupboard or similar. In general, equipment for building in does not have an enclosure on all sides because on one or more of the sides, additional protection against electric shock is provided by the surroundings. An example of equipment for building in is a built in electric oven.
Information Technology Equipment (business equipment)
Information technology equipment includes electrical business equipment such as computers and mains powered telecommunications equipment, and other equipment for general business use. Examples of IT Equipment include mail processing machines, electric plotters, trimmers, VDU's, data terminal equipment, typewriters, telephones, printers etc.
For frequency of inspection and testing please follow this LINK
