PAT Testing

[Mark]

Has PAT testing become a niche industry now, given that more and more firms are aware of it and the legal implications of not getting it carried out on their premises. Is it possible to make a decent living just as a PAT tester?

[Ray Stewart]

I have 2 clients doing exactly that! One of them started after a throw away comment from me that having bought the kit to do his own PAT testings to save money, he ought to put a man in a van doing it as a little sideline business for him instead. He now has 5 on the road - that's some red tape that worked in someone's favour!

[megahertz]

The PAT Testing industry is huge now - lots of companies out there doing it, but still a lot of untapped work. The big companies have been doing it for years, but the smaller companies are starting to realise they need it doing as well. Most of the time some other interested party (insurance company) will insist on it.

The growth in the industry means that PAT testing is fairly recession proof, although the competition out there means prices are sometimes very low. Some of the big contractors are offering riduculously low prices for PAT testing, with no guarantee of a proper service. It's a little bit like offering cheap MOT's on cars - you could make a lot of money quickly if you wrote out 300 certificates in a day, but didn't actually test the cars properly!

I would advise anybody thinking of taking up PAT testing to give it a try - there will always be somebody who needs to have their equipment tested! After all, how many companies don't have any electrical equipment?

[bswain]

As already pointed out, there are a lot of companies doing it, the equipment is expensive so you need to be doing it regulary.
Also, it's very competitive, where I am, companies are doing a test for £1.50 per item!

[megahertz]

In some situations £1.50 per item would be considered expensive. There are companies offering prices of 76p per item on the net.

However, it is generally accepted that these companies do little, if any, actual testing - they just put stickers on the appliances. The customers don't seem to mind - they get a 'certficate' so that they can show that they have complied, but they haven't had the disruption of having their gear shut down, and haven't had to fork out a load of cash!

Having said that, there are plenty of companies out there doing the testing properly, charging a decent price, and earning a good living. Thankfully there are still a lot of customers who are prepared to pay a realistic price for a good service.

[aetius]

Hi,

We're looking into getting a PAT quote at my office. Someone came around and told me the procedure involves testing the cable for earth, continuity, insulation and visually. He gave a demonstration using a tester similar to this:-

[can't post link but it was a small hand held test that fits the palm of your hand with 3 lights for continuity and wiring]. It buzzed for a pass and the guy said it shows red for fails]

As well as an insulation tester, then placed a sticker on the cable as it passed the tests. He also said they just test the cables for pcs, printers, tv monitors, kettles, etc as the tests do not involve applying direct tests on the appliances or sockets. Can someone tell me if this is correct as I've seen some people use larger and more expensive equipment?

tx

[bswain]

Apart from computers etc, the test will also test the piece of equipment the lead is attached to. It's not rocket science so don't be surprised that the equipment is basic.
What is he charging per item?
Bob

[seoandy]

it is basic, you can get similar items from maplin ....they measure the flow of electrons in most devices, though for some they can plugin and check regulation of flow is correct.

[aetius]

thanks for replies, so I assume all he's testing the appliance for is an earth point?

They're charging 3 gbp per item - but we've left it down to them to unplug and re-plug all equipment, which will be a pain as we have PC's, UPS, multiple monitors and they have to adjust desks to do this.

[Pat Testing Northwest]

I run a Northwest Based Pat Testing company and to me £3.00 per item seems quite expensive, that said i dont know where you are based or how many items you have.

And its the usual procedure for Pat Testers to unplug and re-plug equipment, Pat Testing would be a very disruptive job if this wasnt the case.

[Wana Bee]

Originally Posted by Pat Testing Northwest

I run a Northwest Based Pat Testing company and to me £3.00 per item seems quite expensive, that said i dont know where you are based or how many items you have.

And its the usual procedure for Pat Testers to unplug and re-plug equipment, Pat Testing would be a very disruptive job if this wasnt the case.

Indeed £3 an item is rather expencive, I would say £1.50 is about average

[megahertz]

Hi - I've worked in the PAT testing field for more than 20 years - I've written a special report about how the recession is affecting the PAT testing business, and whether or not it is still a business worth getting into.

The report is available free at this link:-

PAT Testing Expert - Portable Appliance Testing Advice and Information

I'd appreciate any comments about the report.... Especially from anybody working in the field, or thinking of getting into PAT Testing.

Thanks

Tim James
PAT Testing Expert

[bpsbrokerage]

My partner has a PAT tesing system sitting there gathering dust!

[NikkiPilkington]

I'm pretty sure a client I had about 10 years ago ONLY did PAT testing....