Pat Testers

A full range of PAT Testers from leading manufacturers such as Fluke, Kewtech & Di-log.

Suitable for both Electricians & specialist PAT Testers you will find the right test meter for the job here!

Please click on the relevant item above for further, more detailed information.

PAT Testers

PAT testing or portable appliance testing has now become a standard process as the law has taken the problems of portable appliances very seriously. There have been so many accidents due to portable appliances that some organisations claim it is up to 25% of household accidents. Recent introduction of RCD (Residual Current Devices) in the consumer units will have limited some of the damage but the Government has legislated that PAT testing should be carried out where necessary by a qualified electrical technician or engineer.

It is often stated that all portable equipment requires testing annually but that is not true and is not a Government condition but standard test. Visual checks on the power leads to see that they are not frayed or damaged and that there are no obvious faults with the equipment should be done as a matter of routine but PAT testing needs doing when any doubt is raised. It is quite sensible that many companies have put in place a regular PAT testing programme to pick up problems at an early stage and prevent the accident. In the home the recommendation is that if in doubt get the appliance tested.

There are some excellent PAT testing equipment available particularly ones which are portable and can be used on site so that all equipment in an area can be checked quickly and effectively without stopping the work processes. The typical items that are checked are the earth continuity, the insulation resistance and the polarity of the wiring and the PAT testers are made to deal with these problems.

The good PAT tester will perform an earth bond test to 200 mA for IT equipment and to 20 A for all other equipment and uses 250 v and 500 v insulation test voltages. It will carry out a run and or leakage test and can also carry out and extension lead test including a polarity test. Besides giving actual readings the tester will give a pass or fail indication. The whole tester usually comes with a certificate that can be passed to the user as a complete record of the test and the suitability of the portable appliance, any failed appliance must not be used before repair. The better systems also have the ability to measure 110 v systems for earth continuity and insulation, whilst this system might not kill somebody it can cause nasty shock. The tester does not have to be used by a qualified electrician but the user must be PAT qualified.