Do You Need a Qualification for PAT Test? You don't need any specific qualifications for the PAT test. Yet, the regulations demand that a competent person does the testing. A skilled person is – “Someone with enough technical knowledge to avoid potential risks and injuries.”
Do you need to be a qualified electrician to do PAT testing?
As an organisation, there are actually a number of different options available to you. PAT testing, despite public opinion, doesn't have to be carried out by a qualified electrician. In fact, absolutely anybody who is deemed competent can carry out PAT testing.
Legally, in order to adhere to these regulations the person carrying out the PAT testing must have adequate training in how the process is carried out. Technically anyone can carry out PAT testing, but they must have the necessary training to deem them suitable for carrying out the work.
Most electricians will already have a low resistance ohmmeter and an insulation tester, or more often nowadays, a multifunction tester (MFT). These are normally used for testing the fixed electrical installation, but they can also be used for PAT testing.
If the candidate should fail, the examination may be taken again at no further charge. Topics covered by the PAT Testing Training DVD Course: Introduction. The Test Card.
PAT Testing Explained | What you do and what you don't need! Electrical Safety
How do I get qualified to do PAT testing?
PAT Testers are trained by enrolling onto a PAT course which will allow them to legally inspect and test portable appliances. For instance, many landlords outsource PAT testers to carry out checks on their properties before people move in for legal reasons.
There are plenty of things you can do to prepare for the PAT, but remember, this is meant to be a challenge. Expect to be asked questions that are difficult! But, do not be put off by a tough paper! Embrace the challenge, and give it all your best thinking!
Get trained and certified: Whichever route you choose, it is essential to become trained and certified to ensure your competence and credibility. Completing a PAT testing competency course or obtaining a City & Guilds 2377-22 PAT Training qualification can be a good start.
Our online PAT Testing training is purely a vocational course and does not qualify you to carry out PAT testing on other people's property. This course is for anyone who wishes to update their knowledge on this subject or is going to be carrying out PAT testing on their own premises.
While there is no official expiry date on a PAT test certificate, it is recommended that you should re-test Class 1 electrical equipment every 48 months and Class 2 electrical appliances every 24 months. How long is a PAT testing course? A standard PAT testing course usually takes place over the course of one day.
No. The law simply requires an employer to ensure that their electrical equipment is maintained in order to prevent danger. It does not say how this should be done or how often. Employers should take a risk-based approach, considering the type of equipment and what it is being used for.
The average pat testing engineer salary in the United Kingdom is £25,000 per year or £12.82 per hour. Entry level positions start at £22,500 per year while most experienced workers make up to £30,000 per year.
These tests should be carried out by a 'competent person' who can perform the checks safely. It may have been decided in your organisation that you are now carrying out PAT Testing in house, this may enable you to utilise internal resources and cut costs.
Claims that PAT testing is required by law and that the client is breaking the law by not having it done are simply not true. The law does require however that employers, including self-employed, ensure that all electrical equipment that they provide in their business is safe and properly maintained.
A college course can give you some of the technical knowledge and practical skills you'll need to become an electrician. You'll still need practical experience in the workplace to become fully qualified. Doing a course may help you get an apprenticeship or trainee position.
Once you feel confident, sit the twenty-four-question multiple choice exam. This open-book test has no time limit. It can be sat as many times as necessary to attain a pass mark (70%+); although we are confident that you'll pass the first time.
In fairness, most PAT testers will meet the minimum requirements for testing most types of assets, but where they really differ is in how easy and convenient they are to use. These are important factors as generating good profits from PAT testing means carrying out a lot of tests and carrying them out quickly.
The average salary for PAT Testing jobs is £32,500. Read on to find out how much PAT Testing jobs pay across various UK locations and industries. We have 94 jobs paying higher than the average PAT Testing salary!
PAT testing requirements – what's the law? Whilst it's a requirement to make sure that any electrical equipment you use in your place of work is maintained and safe to use, there isn't a legal definition for how you test or how often. As a business owner, you'll know which of your appliances get used the most.
The test is designed to stretch candidates further than they have been stretched before, and it's not uncommon to find the past or specimen papers very difficult. However, the university provides resources to help candidates prepare, including a PAT preparation webinar and past papers.
Fewer than 20% of those taking the test achieve a passing score, therefore, it is highly recommended that you work diligently on your game prior to registering for the PAT.
Should I hire a competent person to test the appliances? Usually yes. However, if you have the equipment to test the appliances and you feel knowledgeable enough to perform the check yourself you can do so.
Note: Testing the actual computer requires a PAT tester that has the ability to perform an earth continuity test with a test current of no more than 200mA. If you use a higher current, there is a serious danger that the motherboard of the computer could be damaged.
This change removes the mobility requirement of previous versions of the Code of Practice – and hence changes the name of the activity from Portable Appliance testing (PAT) to Electrical Equipment testing (EET).
