If you’re new to the industry, choosing a PAT tester can be confusing.
However, as a basic rule the major things you should be looking at when considering which one is right for you are:
- What your budget is
- How many tests you will be doing regularly
- How you would prefer to record results
- If you will be testing big quantities of 110v equipment
This should give you a better idea of how to work out the kind of things you do and don’t want.
However, let’s look in a little more detail at how you can choose your ideal testing machine. Below is a guide, broken down into sections with a couple of handy question charts, to help you out.
PAT Results:
Do you want to automatically record test results?
Yes No
Downloadable tester Manual tester
Don’t forget that with the manual option you will need to record up to five results per test. This can become tedious if you have large quantities of tests to perform and is best for small volume testing.
Tester Lowdown: Pass/Fail Testers:
Will you be testing items such as long cables or extension leads?
Yes No
Pass/fail tester not suitable Pass/fail tester suitable
These tester models are so-called because they only display a pass or fail result. They are basic models designed for light volume testing. The pass marks have been pre-set and cannot be changed, this means that they are unsuitable for testing long cables or extension leads as these pre-set pass marks will show a fail when the item should pass.
Tests:
The tests you will be performing also indicate what type of tester you may need:
- Earth Bond – carried out on all appliances with an earth. Different currents are required for different things; IT equipment needs to be tested with a 100mA or 200mA current test. Some testers also carry out 4,6,10,25/26amp tests.
- Insulation Test – a 500v insulation test is a standard requirement but surge protected extension leads need a 250v insulation test, otherwise it will automatically fail. You will need to ensure that your tester is capable of performing this test if you think you will need to carry out long lead tests.
- Battery Powered – these are great as they can be turned on without the need to search for a plug socket and are portable, being able to move into any awkward gap or space you need without being limited to a plug source. They are ideal if you think you may be testing in unusual spaces or just want the freedom of portability.
Don’t forget:
You may need to consider other tests such as:
- Leakage tests
- Flash tests
- 110v tests
Always consider what your requirements are before committing yourself.
If you are just PAT testing part time, infrequently a lower range tester may be all that you need. However, if you are setting up a business, it may be wise to consider purchasing a PAT kit which will give you a good start in everything you may need to get started.
Good luck PAT tester hunting, and don’t forget to call our experts if you have any questions.
Written by Sara Thomson
