Extension leads are one of the most commonly used and most commonly abused pieces of electrical equipment. They are also the leading cause of PAT test failures.
Why Extension Leads Are High Risk
- They get stepped on: Placed on floors where they are walked over and tripped on
- They get overloaded: Too many appliances plugged into one extension is a fire risk
- They get daisy-chained: Plugging one extension into another is extremely dangerous
- They get damaged: Cables trapped in doors, caught under furniture, pulled at angles
- They stay in place for years: Plugged in and forgotten, gathering dust and deteriorating
Extension Lead Safety Tips
- Never daisy-chain extension leads
- Always fully unwind cable reels before use (coiled cables overheat)
- Do not exceed the maximum load rating
- Replace damaged extension leads immediately
- Include all extension leads in your PAT testing schedule
Extension leads should be PAT tested at least annually. Book your PAT test with Green Tag today.
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