'PAT' or 'PAT Test'

Let me clear this up first, PAT stands for Portable Appliance Test. So why do we say PAT test when the T stands for Test? We are saying Test twice, Like PIN number or HGV Vehicle, we say all these because its what we have always done, and people know what we mean. It would not be good approaching someone’s door and saying ‘I’ve come to do your PAT’ or even ‘I’ve come to carry out your PAT’ if someone called Pat lives there it could be even worse. Pat doesn’t want you to do anything with him/her.

PAT Testing – Is it a legal requirement?

Today I would like to talk about the general misconceptions around PAT testing. Why we need it and when we would not.

The law as it stands regarding PAT testing is that there isn’t any legal requirement, for now that is. I will tell you more about that later. The requirement is that any employer should take reasonable care to maintain in a safe condition any equipment which has the potential to cause injury. PAT testing, many will agree is the only way to do this.

It is also recommended that a competent person does the job in PAT testing. How do we define competent? It is not clear and open to interpretation.

Some may say a holder of the C & G 2377 Certificate is best qualified but I myself have come across many other fully qualified electricians who do not know where to start with PAT testing though they are qualified with installation. This is possibly because the PAT part of the course has no practical element. I, myself had to do a separate course to acquire the competency to carry out PAT Testing.

Some may say anyone with a PAT machine can do it. Yes, I have heard many people say this. The machine tells you if it’s passed or failed, Right? …. Well, it does but on some occasions, I come across items that fail on the nominal threshold on earth continuity, it gives me a reading, say 0.27 and throws a fail at me. So, it’s failed, you then buy a new one and a year later that fails. In truth this 0.27 reading may be ok if the appliance is a cable of say around 12m. (Any cable over 10m could in fact give a fail on most machines) Only the qualified would know what the boundary is for each length and of course diameter of cable. This does not mean I would pass any cable that gives me a fail, I still have a threshold which I must get below to pass any item.

So, you want your PAT test carried out and you want your workforce, or children (in a school) to be safe upon the completion of the work. I want to tell you how you can avoid getting someone unqualified or someone who cuts corners.

1. Go for the cheapest quote of 65p? Well this might be the economical approach but at 65p the engineer cannot possibly carry out enough tests in an hour to get a minimum wage, therefore he cannot be doing the job properly, he then leaves you with passed items that could be unsafe. I have come across plugs that were black inside which have recently been passed, I have also recently come across an item which had a screw in the place of a fuse inside the plug. Very dangerous and especially in the classroom where it was found.

2. When the engineer is doing the PAT test there is no reason why you cannot have look at his/her work as he/she goes. Every cable right from the plug to and including the appliance should be examined, checking for visible damage. The plug should be opened ensuring the wire screws are tight and the correct fuse is fitted. Then the appliance should be plugged into the machine to get the readings which will hopefully produce a pass. IF these things are not being done, ALL OF THEM, then ask the engineer why? Don’t accept any excuse, you are wanting the job done to a safe standard where no one is going to come to any harm by being in contact with the appliances. If the engineer says ‘I can no longer do the job at the price I quoted’ then say ‘I asked for a PAT test and the definition of a PAT test is all these things and not just one of them.

Now I am not saying you must use me to carry out the work, but I am saying that you can verify the engineer doing the job whilst he is carrying it out. The alarm bells should be ringing if the number of pounds is below the number of items being tested. Your insurance company in the event of an electrical mishap will not pay out if it becomes clear that corners have been cut. Therefore, you could be throwing money away.

You can call me any time for advice, if I am not available you can leave a message and I will gladly call you back. I do not charge for telephone advice. I will be glad to help if I can.