Portable Appliance Testing, or PAT, is an essential part of keeping workplaces and rental properties safe, and it’s a key component of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989. When done well, it’s quite effective at reducing electrical accidents in workplaces and residential areas, and it also goes a long way in staying compliant with safety regulations.
PAT testers come with different levels of functionality, and the one you choose should be influenced by the complexity of the tests you want to do. For example, if you are only testing a few basic appliances in your small office or home, you only need a simple, user-friendly model that can tell you whether there’s an electrical fault or not.
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However, if it’s a big office or commercial building, you’ll need to test multiple appliances and possibly confirm the safety of the appliances to others. For that, you’ll need more advanced capabilities.
There are two main types of testers based on this:
- Pass/Fail testers: These can be used to test simple appliances for polarity, earth continuity, and insulation resistance. They don’t provide much information as a test can either pass or fail and are meant for small business owners who do their own testing.
- Advanced testers: These display more detailed results. They can measure fuse integrity and earth leakage in addition to polarity, continuity, and insulation resistance. These are meant for trained professionals.
The one you choose should cover all your needs.
Manual vs automatic data logging and reporting
If you are only testing a few pieces of equipment, you can record them manually. Choosing a manual PAT tester will save you a significant amount of money, and sometimes, knowing everything is okay is all you need.
However, businesses, landlords, and anyone else who needs to keep proper records of equipment safety need an automatic one. These PAT testers have data logging features that eliminate guesswork and help maintain error-free records.
When choosing one, look for on-board memory so you don’t have to carry around extra paperwork. Some also integrate with external software to generate professional, printable reports. These are the best for showing compliance.
Assess the features you need
PAT testers range from £200 to around £2,500. This huge difference in prices comes from the features different testers have, and it groups them into entry-level, mid-range, and high-end testers.
The features you need depend on the type of testing you need to do. However, several capabilities stand out and help make your testing process easier, more accurate, and compliant with safety standards.
- Earth Bond Testing: This one is important if you are testing appliances with metal casings, as it ensures they are properly grounded. It measures the resistance of the earth connection, which is important in preventing shocks or electrical faults.
- Insulation Resistance Testing: This test checks whether the insulation is strong enough to prevent electric current from leaking, and it’s essential in environments with high-risk components.
- Polarity Testing: This test verifies that live, neutral, and earth wires are correctly connected. It’s particularly important in places where appliances are frequently moved.
- RCD Testing: Some appliances are protected by Residual Current Devices (RCDs), and this test checks whether the RCD is working as it should. It’s essential in preventing shocks from equipment where fault currents might occur.
- Battery-Powered vs Mains-Powered: Some PAT testers only require batteries to work and are great for sites where you may not have access to power. Others run on mains power and are more suitable for long testing sessions. The choice here should depend on where you’ll be doing most of your testing.
These are just a few, as there are even more advanced features. Essentially, carry out an analysis of the type of work, the appliances, and the environment. You can then prioritise features and balance them with your budget. This will help ensure you choose a PAT tester that covers your needs and makes your investment worthwhile.
