Portable Appliance Testing for Entertainers - Additional information

What is Portable Appliance Testing?
Portable Appliance Testing is a process by which your equipment is inspected and tested to see if it is safe. Every year, about 30 people die from coming into contact with electricity. By testing items of electrical equipment, we should be able to spot faults before they have a chance to harm anyone. Think of it as an 'MOT' for your equipment.

Why do I need my gear testing?
Contrary to what others will tell you, there is NO specific legal requirement to have your gear pat tested. (For more information on this, click on the support section above) However, there IS a legal requirement for you (as a self-employed entertainer) to make sure that your equipment is SAFE. There is also a legal requirement for owners and manager of venues such as hotels and clubs to ensure that any electrical equipment brought into their venue is safe, and this is why so many of them now are insisting on seeing your test certificates. We frequently hear of acts whose gigs are cancelled because they haven't had their gear tested, and PAT clauses are now being added to many agents' contracts. What this means in practice is that you have to have your gear inspected and tested every year.

But remember, the law makes it quite clear that the person using the equipment (the self-employed person) is responsible for its safety. It might not be enough just to let us test it every year if you throw your gear around in the back of a van without a flightcase. Just like the MOT - even if your car still has 3 months on its MOT, you could still be in trouble if it has bald tires. This is why, in addition to testing your equipment. we also provide you with FREE information to help you identify faults in the meantime.

What needs to be tested?
We'll need to check everything that is connected to the mains - so your amps, CD players, keyboards, mixing desks, and all of your lighting if you have it. Lighing systems can be tricky because there are often a number of lanterns connected together on a bar. We won't usually need to disconnect them and can test them as they are. We'll also need to see all your mains extension leads, lighting leads and power adaptors.

We do not need to see:- speakers (unless they have built in amplifiers) microphones, guitars or any equipment which is powered by batteries or a mains adaptor. The mains adaptor itself is a portable appliance though, so we will need to see this! Remember that it is your responsibility to make sure that we see all the equipment you will use in your act.

What if I buy something new?
Just like you don't have to MOT a new car, so you don't need to worry about testing a new piece of kit. It may be worth holding on to the receipt though, so you can show it to prove that the equipment is new. If you buy something second hand, then you should really have it tested before you use it at a gig.

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