Is Electrical Testing Different From PAT Testing?

If you mean fixed wiring testing, it is very different to PAT testing. Fixed wiring testing comes under the 17th edition fixed wiring regulations and involves testing the fixed wiring installation in a building using an Earth Loop Tester, an RCD Trip Tester and an Insulation Tester, none of which can be used to test portable appliances.

However, Kewtech produce a ‘PAT Adaptor’ which will allow an insulation tester to perform a PAT test, but it is limited to the earth continuity and insulation test only and it will not give a pass/fail indication; you have to check the actual reading for a pass. Similarly, a Portable Appliance Tester can’t be used to test fixed wiring.