1. You should list all of the types of items you will be testing e.g.
   • Will you be testing domestic equipment?
   • Will you be testing IT? If yes, the tester will need an Earth Continuity Test at 100 or 200mAmps.
   • Will you be testing industrial equipment? If yes:
   • Will this include 110Volt equipment?  If yes:
   • Do you want to perform a Leakage/Touch Current at 110 Volts?
     • If yes you will need a true ‘Dual Voltage Tester’ which can be powered from both 240 and 110 Volts. 
     • If no you can test 110 Volt equipment with a 240 Volt tester using a 240/110 Volt adaptor.
2. How many tests will you be performing in a year? If it is hundreds, then a manual tester where you record the results in a register or on a spreadsheet will probably do the job. If it is thousands, then a tester with a memory will be needed.
3. Do you want a mains operated tester which will have to be plugged into a supply to operate?  This would include dual voltage testers.
4. Do you want one of the new battery operated testers? If yes it would exclude a Leakage/Touch Current test at 110 Volts.
5. How are you going to record the results?  If you are going for a manual tester you will probably use either a paper record in the form of a register or an electronic record in the form of a spreadsheet. If you are going for a tester with a memory then an electronic database which you can automatically download the tester into would be the first choice. Databases like Simply Pats or the Seaward PATGuard Pro or Elite would be suitable.

Written By Austin