Pat testing - target price???
Discussion
Print the stickers off Ebay and do it yourself.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1040x-4th-Edition-PAT-Te...
There's no need to be a qualified electrician to do PAT testing. Quote from the HSE website.
"The person doing testing work needs to competent to do it. In many low-risk environments, a sensible (competent) member of staff can undertake visual inspections if they have enough knowledge and training. However, when undertaking combined inspection and testing, a greater level of knowledge and experience is needed, and the person will need:
the right equipment to do the tests
the ability to use this test equipment properly
the ability to properly understand the test results"
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1040x-4th-Edition-PAT-Te...
There's no need to be a qualified electrician to do PAT testing. Quote from the HSE website.
"The person doing testing work needs to competent to do it. In many low-risk environments, a sensible (competent) member of staff can undertake visual inspections if they have enough knowledge and training. However, when undertaking combined inspection and testing, a greater level of knowledge and experience is needed, and the person will need:
the right equipment to do the tests
the ability to use this test equipment properly
the ability to properly understand the test results"
Edited by Thankyou4calling on Wednesday 21st September 11:43
For that number of items you should get the work done by a small local PAT Testing specialist. Google it. A one man band will be perfect. It will cost about £150 based on the information supplied.
You will be able to get a large national company to do it cheaper but the quality of their testing is very poor. Do not use them.
PAT Testing is very cheap so it's not worth doing it yourself. A good local chap will do it far quicker than you, provide full reports and it will be done properly according to the IET guidelines.
You will be able to get a large national company to do it cheaper but the quality of their testing is very poor. Do not use them.
PAT Testing is very cheap so it's not worth doing it yourself. A good local chap will do it far quicker than you, provide full reports and it will be done properly according to the IET guidelines.
Another quote from the HSE site.
A visual check is all that is required. Pretty much anyone can do it. It also isn't a legal requirement that you even DO PAT testing ! Why are you doing it?
Put the £150 toward the staff christmas party
"Portable appliance testing (PAT) is the term used to describe the examination of electrical appliances and equipment to ensure they are safe to use. Most electrical safety defects can be found by visual examination but some types of defect can only be found by testing. However, it is essential to understand that visual examination is an essential part of the process because some types of electrical safety defect can't be detected by testing alone.
A relatively brief user check (based upon simple training and perhaps assisted by the use of a brief checklist) can be a very useful part of any electrical maintenance regime. However, more formal visual inspection and testing by a competent person may also be required at appropriate intervals, depending upon the type of equipment and the environment in which it is used"
A visual check is all that is required. Pretty much anyone can do it. It also isn't a legal requirement that you even DO PAT testing ! Why are you doing it?
Put the £150 toward the staff christmas party
"Portable appliance testing (PAT) is the term used to describe the examination of electrical appliances and equipment to ensure they are safe to use. Most electrical safety defects can be found by visual examination but some types of defect can only be found by testing. However, it is essential to understand that visual examination is an essential part of the process because some types of electrical safety defect can't be detected by testing alone.
A relatively brief user check (based upon simple training and perhaps assisted by the use of a brief checklist) can be a very useful part of any electrical maintenance regime. However, more formal visual inspection and testing by a competent person may also be required at appropriate intervals, depending upon the type of equipment and the environment in which it is used"
Edited by Thankyou4calling on Wednesday 21st September 14:50
Edited by Thankyou4calling on Wednesday 21st September 14:50
Correct that PAT testing isn't a legal requirement but it will save you a lot of hassle if something goes wrong and the HSE or insurance company want evidence of inspection and it will ensure that your appliances are being inspected at least once every 6 or 12 months subject to the items you have.
I've moaned at cold callers that 'imply' it's against the law to not do it many a time over the years so have always hated PAT testing I'm only doing it now as my insurance company asked for it.
It's an office and warehouse only PC's Screens, Telephones are plugged in etc.
I'm also doing it as under some of the banks of desks the wiring is a MESS and surely could be a hazard (wires pulled too tight etc etc ).
I think I'll get one of the guys in the office to do it - they will know what plugs into where etc and tidy the cables at the same time.
Thanks for the help!
It's an office and warehouse only PC's Screens, Telephones are plugged in etc.
I'm also doing it as under some of the banks of desks the wiring is a MESS and surely could be a hazard (wires pulled too tight etc etc ).
I think I'll get one of the guys in the office to do it - they will know what plugs into where etc and tidy the cables at the same time.
Thanks for the help!
You can buy one for £179 ex vat
https://www.tester.co.uk/uni-t-ut527-pat-tester
Although it's worth knowing you can use a multifunction installation tester (for part p electrics) and you can use that to check your earth impedance and rcd trip times as well.
https://www.tester.co.uk/uni-t-ut527-pat-tester
Although it's worth knowing you can use a multifunction installation tester (for part p electrics) and you can use that to check your earth impedance and rcd trip times as well.
Thankyou4calling said:
Exactly.
Take a toaster into a charity shop. An old biddy will plug it in, see if it doesn't blow up and put a PAT sticker on it.
People are over thinking this saying it needs to be done every 6 months, no wonder small businesses can be crippled.
Falsifying a safety record is worse than simply ignoring it.Take a toaster into a charity shop. An old biddy will plug it in, see if it doesn't blow up and put a PAT sticker on it.
People are over thinking this saying it needs to be done every 6 months, no wonder small businesses can be crippled.
As ever theres a lot of opinion on this, its money for old rope and largely the british obesession with trying to legally define common sense, but on the other hand people expect to be in cotton wool environments today with no danger because no win no fee.
If your electrics are bang up to date its less of an issue, if theyre older and the last test perhaps recomended rcds be added to socket circuits (or you dont have them anyway, these protect against faulty appliances) and for whatever reason youve decided not to upgrade, then having your PAT in order might be more advisable.
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