Equipment/Environment

User Checks

Formal Visual
Inspection

Combined Inspection
& Testing

Battery-operated
(less than 20 volts)

No

No

No

Extra low voltage:
(less than 50 volts AC)
eg telephone equipment, low voltage desk lights

No

No

No

Information Technology:
eg desktop computers, VDU screens

No

Yes, 2-4 years

No if double insulated - otherwise up to 5 years

Photocopiers, fax machines:
NOT handheld.
Rarely moved

No

Yes, 2-4 years

No if double insulated - otherwise up to 5 years

Double insulated equipment:
NOT handheld. Moved occasionally, eg fans, table lamps, slide projectors

No

Yes, 2-4 years

No

Double insulated equipment:
HANDHELD eg some floor cleaners

Yes

Yes, 6 months - 1 year

No

Earthed equipment (class 1)
eg Electric kettles, some floor cleaners

Yes

Yes, 6 months - 1 year

Yes, 1-2 years

Cables (leads) and plugs connected to the above.

Extension Leads (mains voltage)

Yes

Yes, 6 months - 4 years depending on the type of equipment it is connected to

Yes, 1-3 years depending on the type of equipment it is connected to