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PAT Testing, Learn About Basic And Advanced PAT Testers Intended For In-House Checks

by SimonHobbs

PAT Testing or Portable Appliance Testing is the name used in the United Kingdom for the process of safety checking electrical appliances used in workplaces, and in other public places. Contrary to popular belief PAT testing and safety checking was not introduced by either the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) or the Electricity at Work Act (1990). Before those dates many organizations (including government departments) had planned maintenance procedures which included periodic testing and inspection of electrical equipment.

This short article describes some of the PAT testers which can be used by businesses who wish to do in-house PAT testing. PAT testing can be done by any competent person, who has basic electrical knowledge, but it is often thought better to provide some kind of formal training. City and Guilds 2377 is one qualification which can be gained in this field.

Most PAT testers are portable versions of manufacturer test equipment, which might be used for QA and final test, in the factory where the appliance is manufactured. PAT test equipment will therefore usually measure the relevant electrical parameters of the appliance, ensuring compliance with all relevant British Standards, or European Standards.

Most of the simpler PAT testers are aimed at in-house testers, and simply produce a PASS/FAIL indication. Some are battery operated, which can be helpful in getting into confined spaces to carry out the test. You can also move the tester to the equipment, rather than vice versa. Typical basic PAT testing instruments can carry out earth continuity tests, insulation resistance tests, and wiring checks on detachable mains cords (sometimes called kettle leads).

Usually the basic PAT equipment cannot do checks which require mains power to be applied to the device under test. The operator of this kind of basic equipment does not require much electrical skill.

The more advanced PAT testers usually require a greater degree of electrical skill from the operator, including the ability to interpret the results. This equipment is however capable of carrying out more complex checks. An appropriate level of qualification for the operator would be a certificate such as City and Guilds 2377.

The more advanced type of tester can do measurements such as earth continuity measurement (range 0 to 1.99 ohms), with current levels from a few milliamps up to several amps. The wide range allows testing of a full range of appliances, including personal computers.

Other more advanced checks which are possible include measuring insulation resistance, earth leakage measurements, lead polarity checks, and fuse tests. Some units have an RCD test capability, and can check the trip time for the RCD protection in an adapter, or an extension cable.

Computerized PAT testers have the ability to upload test data to a laptop or a PC. As record keeping is an important part of the test process this can be a very useful capability to have. The PC can also be useful to print out the labels which are attached showing when the next check is due.

About the Author: Frank Cole

Learn about basic and advanced Portable Appliance Testing for in-house use. Get the low down now in our complete PAT Testing guide.

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PAT Testing, Learn About Basic And Advanced PAT Testers Intended For In-House Checks