Definition of Portable Appliance

There is no agreed definition of ‘portable appliance’ when talking about PAT testing.

A reasonable definition of a portable appliance is:

A portable appliance is anything that can plug into an electrical socket and can move.

This includes items such as PCs, toasters, televisions and specialist building site equipment that plugs into a generator.

A portable appliance is an electrical appliance that can move.

The more obvious portable appliances are appliances such as kettles, toasters and desk lamps. Some not so obvious portable appliances are photocopiers and desktop computers. Photocopiers and desktop computers may not move often but they can move.

Do not ‘over interpret’ the definition of portable appliances, apply a reasonable definition, for instance don’t include mobile phone chargers. The purpose of PAT testing is employee safety.