Make sure your appliances are safe and compatible

Electrical PAT tests in the UK
A Electrical PAT test is a routine inspection of electrical appliances, to verify that they are safe to use. Its purpose is to prevent electrical accidents.
The Electrical PAT test is an important part of any health and safety policy. According to HSE, about 25% of all electrical accidents are caused by portable appliances, so several regulations indicate the importance of electrical maintenance and PAT tests.
The HSE has the power to close businesses that do not comply with regulations, and employers can be prosecuted if the equipment on the premises is not maintained and in an efficient working state. That is why Total Safe recommends an annual Electrical PAT test to ensure that your business complies with UK regulations.

Peace of mind
Thorough inspections
Your Total Safe engineer will perform a visual inspection of your appliances and a deeper verification using a specialized Electrical PAT test set. This test includes the continuity of the earth, the polarity of the cable and the insulation resistance checks.
Once tested and considered safe, your Total Safe engineer will apply a PASS label to the device. This label shows the date on which the last test was performed, the date on which the next test is required, the name of the engineer and the contact information of Total Safe.

We keep a record of each test and expiration date for all our clients, and we make sure to organize the new tests before their certification expires. With Total Safe you never have to worry about your appliances, we make sure they are always tested and complied with. For more info click here

The importance of electrical PAT tests in manufacturing

 The electrical PAT test is an essential step in the manufacturing process of any product that uses electricity.
According about report 25 people die each year as a result of electrical accidents in the workplace, and every year 1,000 electrical accidents are reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Therefore, it is imperative that original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) do everything possible to reduce the risk of electric shock from their products. Electric shocks not only cause injuries and deaths directly, but also indirectly, for example, construction workers can fall from stairs or scaffolding if they receive an electric shock while using defective equipment.
Original equipment manufacturers that manufacture electrical equipment designed or adapted for use between 50 and 1,000 volts (in the case of alternating current) or 75 and 1,500 volts (in the case of direct current) must comply with the Electrical Equipment Regulations ( security) from 1994. You can read about the relevant requirements in detail here.

In this publication, we will consider three different types of electrical safety tests that OEMs should implement as part of a strong electrical safety testing strategy.
Portable Appliance Test
The simplest form of electrical safety tests is the portable device test (PAT). A portable device is generally defined as a product that can be easily moved from one place to another, including kettles to printers; hair dryers for electric drills.
With this test method, a product is first visually inspected to see if there are visible signs of damage, for example, frayed wires or bent plugs on the plugs, before connecting it to the PAT device. This is a simple machine that verifies if the relevant electrical components are sufficiently isolated.
Flash test
For higher voltage products, a flash test, also known as a hipot test (high potential) or dielectric resistance voltage test (DWV), must be implemented. This test method verifies whether electrical insulators in finished products, such as printed circuit boards (PCBs), cables and electromechanical assemblies, have sufficient dielectric strength for the working voltage, which protects against electric shock.
London Property, who writes for Design and testing of electronic products, says: "The test is designed to detect that the spaces or free spaces between the conductive parts and the earth are sufficient and that no damage has occurred in the form of holes / cracks in insulation and other protective devices during manufacturing or wear ".
This test method involves applying a higher than normal voltage to the product for a defined period of time. To pass, the product must be able to withstand this stress, thus ensuring that it will not fail when operating at a normal voltage.

Ground bond test
The grounding test measures the connection between the ground and any metal component in the product. A high current of around 25 amps is passed, to ensure that there is a sufficient electrical connection, in order to protect against electrocution if there is a failure in the product's power supply.
Outsourcing of your electrical safety tests
If you are outsourcing part or all of your manufacturing and testing operation to an electronic product manufacturing service provider (EMS), it is your responsibility to ensure that your practices comply with the relevant electrical safety standards.
Testing is the only way to identify manufacturing failures that could compromise the electrical safety of a product in the field. Comprehensive electrical safety tests protect against the risk of electric shock, so that the products can be used for their intended purpose with a minimum possibility of injury. Home

Why electrical PAT tests are important for fire safety

What is the electrical PAT test?
The electrical PAT test means portable device test. It is the examination of electrical appliances and equipment to ensure that they are safe to use. This implies a visual inspection of the equipment, cables and plugs to ensure that they are in good condition, verify the continuity of the ground connection and test the soundness of the insulation between the parts that carry current. All this is combined to make the devices used within a company safe to use.
The Electricity at Work Regulation of 1989 requires that all electrical equipment, which has the potential to cause injury, be kept in a "safe condition". However, the Regulation does not specify exactly what must be done to satisfy this requirement, how often or by whom. Therefore, it is up to business owners and operators to satisfy the requirement as best they can. This is where the formal PAT inspection comes in. It is not required by law, but it is a good way to comply with current regulations.
Why PAT is important for fire safety
In 2014-15 in England, more than 12% of domestic fires were caused by appliances. However, it could be said that most companies contain more electronic products, which are often used more regularly and vigorously.

How often should a fire extinguisher be repaired? The | Red fire control box

The PAT inspection ensures that all "portable" electronic devices of the company are safe for use. "Portable," in this respect, is a bit misleading, but is generally considered as anything that connects to an outlet. PAT guarantees that these portable devices are safe for use by the company. Ensures that there is little chance of accidental injury due to electronics failures, which reduces the risk to the user and other commercial personnel. It also guarantees that there is less risk of more substantial damage to electrical equipment, which may involve repair or replacement costs and commercial downtime. Finally, it ensures that there is little chance of an electric fire starting due to faulty or overloaded equipment.
Don't let PAT tests make your employees complacent
The fact that the devices have been verified and certified does not mean that absolutely nothing can go wrong with your electrical equipment. Plugs can still overload and defective equipment can overheat. The plugs can still overload and defective equipment can overheat
If a laptop "in the office" that never leaves the desk is transformed into a travel laptop that moves a lot, the charger and the device will need a more frequent visual inspection and PAT to take into account the most rigorous wear.
Do not allow employees to become complacent and take for granted the safety of their devices. Make sure employees are properly educated about the proper safety of portable devices and teach them to recognize the first warning signs of a dangerous cable, a defective port or a defective plug. When it comes to personnel safety and fire safety, an ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure.
However, if you follow the (usually annual) schedule of when PAT should be performed again under normal conditions of use, you can operate with much more peace of mind.

PAT inspections and tests are only a small part of the broader fire safety procedures that your company should implement. The regularity of PAT should be clearly described in your Fire Risk Assessment and should be part of the regular safety tasks of your business along with fire alarm tests and drills, visual electronic inspection, testing and maintenance of fire extinguishers, etc. home

Emergency Electrician Services

If you are looking for a local emergency electrician, you are probably having a bad day. Maybe you noticed soot in one of your plugs. Maybe you spit sparks when you tried to plug something in. Or did you lose power in part of your home and resetting the circuit breakers didn't help? Many problems with wiring or appliances can cause electrical emergencies.
No matter the particular problem, recognizing that you need immediate assistance is an excellent start.
London Property Inspection has emergency electricians ready to respond to urgent electrical problems day and night. Call 0203 239 0374 to contact your local emergency electrician.

When to know that you need emergency electrical services
People tend to have difficulties deciding whether to call an emergency electrician. Sometimes they are not sure if it is a true emergency.
These are some of the most common problems that emergency electricians must solve:

1: An unidentified burning smell in the house
2: A switch or electrical outlet is hot to the touch.
3: A circuit breaker trips repeatedly
4: The lights flash continuously
5: A buzzing emanates from an outlet or switch
6: Someone has received an electric shock.
7: There is a partial and sustained loss of energy in the house
8: Your electrical panel is wet.
London Property Inspection encourages clients to call the emergency electrician service at the first sign of trouble. If the problem occurs at night, many times, it is not a good idea to wait until morning to seek help.
Because unresolved electrical emergencies can cause fires, do not delay in asking for help with your concerns. When it comes to electricity, prevention is always better than cure.
Emergency electrician cost
Cost is another common reason why many people hesitate to call an emergency electrician. People are worried about how their bill will look once their emergency is resolved, and that is completely understandable.
Each situation is unique and, therefore, we cannot offer you a fixed price for emergency electrical appointments. However, we can share with you the factors that influence the cost of the emergency electrician:

Location:  is independently owned and each owner sets individual rates. Ask about rates before agreeing to receive an emergency service. The cost may be very affordable.
Time: Your electrician's time is usually the most expensive component of any bill. Many electricians charge a flat travel rate for emergency calls. Most also charge a higher rate for their first hour than later hours.
Experience and certifications: the more qualified your electrician is, the more he can charge you.
Parts: the parts necessary to solve your electrical emergency will also play a role in the cost calculation. For example, replacing a defective circuit breaker costs much less than replacing a complete electrical panel.
Distance: the distance that your electrician must travel to meet your needs can influence the price of the emergency service.
How to find an emergency electrician near me
London property Inspection serves residential and commercial clients in the United States. We promise to provide a fast and professional emergency electric service that you can count on. To receive emergency services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from your local  call 0203 239 0374 and for more info

HAS POWER BEEN IN YOUR HOME? HERE ARE 5 REASONS WHY

Emergency electrician in UK There is nothing more annoying than having to suddenly turn off the electricity in your home. Whether you're watching the suspenseful end of your favorite television series, working on your computer to prepare that report for your boss or preparing dinner with the family, nothing can throw a wrench in the works like sudden darkness. The causes of these power outages can range from something simple to solve to a factor that is out of reach. Below, we list five of the most common causes of lack of energy in your home so you can better understand what happens while you are in the dark.
5 REASONS WHY POWER HAS BEEN WON IN YOUR HOME

Overloaded power boards
Connecting a series of devices that demand high levels of energy can overload your energy board by exceeding its amperage. This is a common cause of tripped circuits, however, if circuit breakers or fuses fail, overloaded power cards can cause fires and other damage to your home. Be sure to disconnect all devices that are not in use to make sure your power boards are not overloaded. Also, avoid plugging the power cards into other power cards, as this can cause energy demands to be out of control.
Fuses fired and circuit breakers
As mentioned earlier, excess energy demand will result in the melting of fuses or disconnection of circuit breakers. Depending on what systems are installed in your home, fuses or circuit breakers, you should first try to identify the cause of the blown fuse or circuit break, p. overloaded power boards, and correct it before turning it on again.
Mother Nature
If there is a storm in your area, there is a good chance that you may experience a power outage at some time during its duration. Lighting can induce currents large enough to trigger switches or blow transformers on nearby power lines. However, more often than not, the main cause of power outages in a storm is the trees or branches that land on power lines, breaking the circuit. Do not go out and play with your fuse box during a storm, as this interruption is beyond your control. There will be well-trained electricians who work hard to solve the situation, so all you have to do is sit back and enjoy the storm.
Animal interference
Believe it or not, another reason for power outages in your home may be related to wildlife inference. Rats and other vermin can see the wires in the electrical infrastructure of your home or area as a tasty snack, choosing to crack them until the electricity is cut both in your home and in your body. Another common way that animals cause power outages is when they come into contact with power lines. Bats are well known for this in the state of Queensland, as unfortunately they tend to hang upside down from a line and, after spreading their wings, fatally find another line that causes a power cut.

Accidents
Animals and storms are not the only things that cause damage to power lines, since traffic accidents, that is, people who drive their cars to power poles, can also cause cuts in their area. If you are experiencing a power outage late at night and cannot identify a simple cause, do not hesitate to call us for our emergency service after the hour and let us restart your home as soon as possible. Home

HOW DO I KNOW IF MY ELECTRICAL BOARD NEEDS REPAIR?

How do I know if my electrical panel needs repair?
Knowing the important role that your switchboard plays is essential to understand if, when and why you need repair. As your switchboard is an integral part of your home's power supply, making sure that it is in perfect working order not only gives you the gift of energy, but also protects you and your property against dangerous electrical damage. Read on to find out what your switchboard really does, why it is important and how to know if it needs repair.
WHAT YOUR SWITCH DOES AND WHY IT IS IMPORTANT
Your switchboard plays the important role of separating the electric current supplied to your home into smaller divisible circuits. These circuits are assigned to the different individual areas of your home, such as the kitchen, bedrooms, laundry and swimming pool. Your switchboard also plays a role in protecting your home against dangerous electrical failures through safety switches, fuses and circuit breakers, which cut off power in cases of electrical overload.
As you can see, the switchboard is a very important part of your electrical system. So how can you recognize a fault if you have one?
WHEN AND WHY YOUR SWITCH NEEDS REPAIR
IF YOUR CONTROL BOARD IS OLD AND OUT OF DATE
The largest number of appliances such as air conditioners, computers, televisions and pool pumps have evolved; The more comfort and luxury we have obtained from them.
Unfortunately, these appliances demand significantly more energy than those of the past, which can put great pressure on older and obsolete power plants.
This will often cause safety switches, fuses and circuit breakers to trip frequently. This is not ideal and if it is happening in your home, there is clearly a fault that must be addressed as soon as possible.
By law, Victorian homes must have safety switches installed. Control panels without safety switches are considered outdated and should be updated as soon as possible. You may also want a licensed electrician to take a look at your switchboard if you are planning to convert to solar energy, to meet government safety standards, or if you are thinking of installing a pool, since the pool pumps are Notoriously known for being heavy energy consumption.

IF YOU SMELL OR NOTICE ON OR AROUND THE COMMAND
Frequent overloading of the switchboard in your home is not just an inconvenience; It is frankly dangerous. Damaged wiring, faulty wiring and lack of safety switches can cause an arc fault, which has the potential to fatally electrocute it or start a fire in your home. If you notice signs of burns, you should contact an authorized electrician as soon as possible.
WHICH ARE THE NEXT STEPS?
A defective switchboard can become an emergency if it is not repaired and having to wait for an electrician to repair it during office hours can cause more inconvenience, possible damage to your home and health risks. We understand that this is not an ideal world and that time is everything. That's why we offer 24-hour emergency electrician repair services, so you can rest assured that your home will be serviced when you need it.

Do I need an emergency electrician?

Do I need an electrician?
Emergency Electrical Installation If you are like most people, take your home's electrical system for granted. When you turn on a switch, a light comes on. The problem is that you may be ignoring important signs of a potentially dangerous electrical situation.
An electrician should be called if you experience any of these residential electrical problems.
Circuit breakers that keep firing.
 This indicates that the circuits are taking more current than they can safely provide. It can also mean a dangerous electrical fault in one or more circuits.

Flashing or dimming lights.
 This can be caused by several things, including damaged wiring. It can also happen if your home's electrical system is outdated or forced by appliances and lights. Operating appliances such as an air conditioner, a microwave or a hair dryer should not cause flickering or dimming of the lights. If they do, they have a problem that must be addressed immediately.
Buzzers of switches or plugs. 
If the electrical sockets or switches emit a slight hum, it could mean that there is a loose wiring in the electrical box. Turn off the switch immediately to prevent a fire.

Hot electrical plugs or switch plate covers.
 It is normal for some dimming switches to feel warm to the touch, however, if the sockets and switches feel hot to the touch, this indicates that there is an electrical wiring problem that an authorized electrician should check as soon as possible.
London property inspection If you experience any of these conditions, it is essential that you call a qualified electrician to take charge immediately.
London property has been part of the UK community for more than 30 years. We provides electrical installations and repairs for residential and commercial customers. Clients can be sure that any electrical repair in their home will be handled with care and experience. Home