This makes this tester a really good investment for those who only have a small number of PAT jobs to complete in the present but anticipate being able to build this up to a number which requires a more advanced downloadable machine.

Another benefit of this system is that you don’t have to shell out lots of money on two different testing machines, one for now and one for when your work increases.

Many PAT testers find that their businesses start off small but grow to a level which means that a simple PAT machine is not adequate once they have much more work to complete. Those who choose not to buy the GammaPAT find that they have to shell out for another completely new downloadable testing machine, causing much financial layout and the need to learn how to use the new tester’s systems.

With the Metrel GammaPAT Lite, this is not the case and is certainly worth the consideration of any PAT testing engineer. If your business takes off quickly, you will easily be able to upgrade to the pro with a much cheaper financial outlay than buying a completely new testing machine.

Take a look at the Metrel GammaPAT Lite product pages for further information on this model.

Seaward’s Primetest range is one of the most popular PAT testing ranges on the market and the Primetest 100 is a very accepted model with its versatility and easy operation.

As this particular model is of a convenient size to be portable and is battery powered, it enables  testing to be carried out in many different areas and difficult spaces.

Buying your Seaward Primetest 100 in a PAT bundle means that you not only get an amazing PAT machine but you get the following extras and accessories to allow you to get started PAT testing:

• Test lead,
• 240v plug to 10Amp IEC lead,
• 6AA batteries,
• Instruction manual,
• Soft carry case,
• Cloverleaf adaptor,
• Microwave leakage detector,
• The Essential Guide to PAT Testing Training DVD and online examination,
• 10 microwave labels,
• 500 passed labels,
• 50 failed labels,
• PAT testing log book,
• Deluxe carry case for easy transportation and protection of your bundle with customisable foam.

If you are interested in the Primetest 100 PAT bundle visit the product page for further information and pricing.

Never be caught short again with the PAT Testing Starter Lead Kit One containing all the most popular leads we sell. The kit allows you to relax in the certainty that you have everything you need to successfully carry out your pat testing jobs.

The leads are fairly universal and can be used with most makes and models of pat tester.

The kit comes with the following:

• PASSPTA3 240v 10Amp IEC to 240v UK (13Amp) plug – to test extension leads commonly found in PAT testing.
• PASSPTA2 240v 10Amp IEC to 110v (16Amp) 3 pin socket – to create a loop with the PASSPTA9 for testing 110v extension leads.
• PASSPTA9 240v UK 13Amp plug to 110v (16Amp) 3 pin socket.
• PASSPTA21 IEC Clover leaf adaptor – for testing common sockets on laptops.

Ensure your PAT jobs are sure to go well with the Starter Lead Kit One.

Insurance for your PAT business is no different, it is absolutely essential and will help protect your business financially should something bad happen.

As far as insurance specific to your particular needs is, it depends on your circumstances and position.

If you are employed by a company, that company should already have insurance which will cover you as their employee. However, it is probably best to check with your employer to be certain.

If you are self employed and work for other companies, you will need to get Public Liability Insurance.

If, however, you are the owner of a PAT business and employ people, you will need to get Employers Liability Insurance as well as Public Liability Insurance. You will need to be covered for £2million plus depending on what you customer’s requirements are.

Always seek advice on insurance from a professional if you are unsure which type of insurances you will need.

The IEE Code of Practice recommends that PAT testers are checked periodically to ensure that they are still accurate between their annual calibrations.

This is done so you can be absolutely certain your results are correct.

In order to check the calibration of your electrical equipment, all you need to do is plug your digital or analogue meter into the calibration checkbox to test for continuity (0.5-10 ohms) and insulation (0.5-50 mohms).

These items of equipment are small, lightweight, easy to use and of little cost. They are ideal to ensure accuracy and make a great addition to any toolbox.

As a quick reminder here is a brief overview of Kettle PAT testing.

First of all, for this appliance the following test should be carried out:

• Visual,
• Earthbond,
• Insulation at 500 Volts DC,
• Leakage.

Most kettles now are jug kettles with a base part and a jug part separate from one another. However, there are still older style kettles that have power cords which detach from the kettle itself.

A modern jug kettle can be tested with the base and jug as one unit but if you have an older style kettle, these need to be tested differently. The power cord should be tested first followed by the kettle with its power cord.

When testing the power cord for these types of kettles, a standard lead test should be carried out. This includes the following:

• Visual test,
• Earth continuity,
• Insulation at 500 Volts DC,
• Polarity.

Once this is completed you can carry out the tests on the kettle with its lead, and on the kettle and base for modern kettles.

When completing the earth bond test, make sure you clip the earth bond lead onto the metal casing of the kettle before beginning. The element should also be covered with water to prevent damage before beginning the leakage test.

If however, your jug kettle has a plastic case, the earth bond lead needs to be held on to the element inside the kettle when carrying out the earth bond test.

If so, the PAT Testing Training DVD Course can solve your problem.

As it is a thorough training tool, the DVD course has been endorsed by NAPIT as a suitable PAT training course and examination.

The examination included with the DVD course is taken online at the end once the learner feels they have fully grasped the subject matter and are competent enough to take it.

If this is not the case and learners feel they haven’t quite grasped all the subject matter, they can then go back through any sections they feel need a little more work.

This is the great advantage to the DVD course that it can be re-studied at any point, a facility not open to those attending training courses.

Besides the convenience of the DVD course, there is the cost. This is increasingly becoming a major factor when considering training as we all feel the tightening of budgets and spending. By saving money with the training DVD rather than paying a lot extra to attend a training course could be an alternative solution and a wise decision for many.

The training DVD has also been the ideal solution for those experienced PAT testers wanting to train up a new recruit to their business. By purchasing the training DVD they can ensure that their trainee gains the correct knowledge and passes the examination without having to pay to send them on a training course.

Visit the PAT DVD training course pages for more information or to get your copy today.

However, choosing not to get your calibration done means you are actually doing your clients a disservice. After all, how do you know it’s accurate if it hasn’t had a calibration done?

Then there is the possibility that your un-calibrated equipment gives off inaccurate readings which could result in an appliance passing a PAT test when in fact it should fail. If this appliance is then used on the strength of your Pass and something goes wrong with it, it could end up being dangerous for your client and your reputation.

So to avoid any future problems and to keep your reputation and jobs coming in regularly minimise downtime by sending your PAT equipment to PAT Testers for calibration.

Also, we offer a three day price promise, which means that once you send your tester to us we will dispatch it back to you within three days of receiving it, at our calibration centre, or you get the calibration free.

Contact us for further information or to book your collection.

Testing in schools is good work, but can be very seasonal and will mean that you need to have other work for when you are not testing in schools.

Most school PAT contracts are carried out during school holidays such as; the summer break so that children are not around when testing is being completed.

The biggest risk when testing IT equipment is the possibility of damaging the electronic circuits. To prevent any loss of data, gain permission from the person in charge of the area and, if possible, ask them to shut the system down while you work. But make sure they bring it back up again afterwards.

Another consideration will be access. Some access in schools may be difficult particularly under desk areas and in small spaces.

If you PAT machine is mains powered it may be difficult to get access to a power supply in easy reach of the appliance you are testing.

A battery powered PAT instrument would be a way around this potential problem, however you will need to consider whether the battery operated tester you are buying has all the features you will need, such as the ability to perform earth continuity and insulation tests as well as the touch current test.

It should be noted that a touch current test is not usually carried out on modern computer models and is done on older computers in place of a 500 Volt insulation test.

Ultimately PAT testing in Schools can be very rewarding work, if you can get it, and once you have completed a contract for a school, it is more likely they will ask you to come back again next time.

Before you go out sale shopping on the high street, remember you can still place orders with us over the festive season to be processed when we return on 3rd January 2012.

We are closed over Christmas and New Year so won’t be able to reply to you until we open again.

In the meantime, enjoy what’s left of 2011 and have a fantastic New Year!

We will see you again on January 3rd 2012,

The PAT Testers Team.