Device testing Steps

What is a personal device?

Any personal equipment you use in the department (BYOD: Bring Your Own Device) must be tested before using it.  The test we apply is called PAT.

PAT (Portable Appliance Testing) is a quick safety check of any electrical item that plugs into the mains. It combines a visual inspection and simple electrical tests to confirm the equipment and its PSU are safe to use.

Why do we test?

Personal devices (BYOD) are often connected to the university’s mains supply. To keep everyone safe and to comply with statutory electrical safety requirements, we PAT test the mains PSU and visually inspect the low‑voltage device. This ensures:

  • Electrical safety: Faulty chargers, damaged cables, or counterfeit PSUs can present shock, burn, or fire risks.

  • Compliance: The university must ensure that any equipment connected to its electrical infrastructure meets safety standards.

  • Protection of facilities: Unsafe devices can trip circuits, damage sockets, or interfere with sensitive lab equipment.

  • Support for students: Many students arrive with non‑UK chargers; PAT testing confirms they are safe, and we provide free adaptors or compliant cables where needed.

By testing BYOD equipment, we help maintain a safe working and learning environment for everyone in the department.

warning! Non-UK adaptors!

Non-UK plug adaptors

An adaptor used with a UK three-pin socket must meet BS 1363 and must:

  • have a suitably rated fuse
  • have shutters protecting the line and neutral contacts
  • carry an appropriate approval mark; the current wording says that CE marking alone is not acceptable

A non-compliant adaptor will fail the safety check. Stores can either replace it with a compliant adaptor or replace a non-UK IEC mains lead with an equivalent lead fitted with a UK plug. the full visual test follows:

Required markings on a UK plug (BS 1363)

These markings are defined by UK product safety rules and industry practice. They are not optional — a compliant plug must have them.

  • BS 1363 — the British Standard for UK plugs. This is normally moulded into the plug body. This is the single most important marking.

  • Fuse rating + BS 1362 — e.g., 13 A BS 1362 The fuse must be correctly rated for the appliance and must show the BS number. A missing or incorrect fuse marking is a fail.

  • Manufacturer’s name or trademark Required so the plug can be traced to a responsible manufacturer.

  • CE or UKCA marking Shows conformity with UK/EU safety legislation. (UKCA is replacing CE, but CE is still accepted.)

  • Voltage rating Typically 250 V~.

Before arriving in stores

Please ensure your device is fully charged and bring your ID so we can verify you. Bring your device and, importantly, its PSU to the Stores on Level 1 (EEE). We will attempt to test your equipment immediately.

  • The mains PSU will be PAT‑tested.

  • If your device operates at low voltage, it will only require a visual inspection to confirm it is not damaged.

If demand is high, we may retain the PSU for testing later. In that case, it will be returned to you by the end of the day, and we will email you when it is ready for collection.

If your device passes, a PAT label will be placed on the PSU. Where required, you will be issued a free adaptor or mains cable so you can safely connect to the UK mains supply. If we are unable to provide the parts required to make your power supply safe, we will advise you on the items you need to purchase.

Register a single device for testing