PAT Testing

[notoriousgib83]

Hi,

I'm a qualified electrician with a C&G 2330 Level 3 qualification and consider myself to be a 'competent' person. I've been asked to PAT Test an office, the regs state a competent person can PAT test, however are you deemed competent to PAT test without the PAT Test course as long as you're a qualified electrician?

I'd expect this course is really for people who aren't electricians who don't have previous experience with earth continuity and IR tests and need it to be deemed 'competent'. Just wanted to check though.

 

[DurhamSparky]

IMO you are only deemed competent in a court of law when you hold a certificate and suitable experience in that field!

 

[Adam W]

I'd say it's up to you if you feel you know what you're doing.
I did some PAT testing when I was in the 3rd year at college and didn't really have a clue, so I did the course which helped. All the other guys on the course were non-electricians and were starting from scratch; most were handymen who were asked to do PAT testing by their companies.
Testing an appliance is similar to testing an installation but there are certain differences, such as using the right test current and knowing where to poke your probe.

It might be worth you getting the code of practice and having a read through that; it's not rocket science but it helps to know what you're doing.

 

[ruston]

Agree with Adam, the code of practice is a must. And as Durham sparky says the certificate may satisfy those who want proof. They are all out to get you these days, might as well do it by the book.Having the certificate only means you've passed the exam, I know loads who have it and have'nt a clue, but thats the way we are heading these days.

 

[notoriousgib83]

Well I consider myself to be competent. I know several other electricians who do PAT testing that have never taken the course. The tests performed are simple earth continuity tests and insulation resistance tests which were covered and I passed on my 2330 course. The only difference is the wiring is in the appliance not the installation, all the theory is the same.

 

[wade88]

Hi buddy,

I have done the 2377, and IMO, the course is total garbage...however...its fair to say that PAT is very straight forward, not a lot of technical knoweledge required, and generally speaking you will spend all day switching between class I and class II appliances and just pressing test and watching the machine run through its sequences. earth continuity, IR and touch voltage and your done.

However i agree with Durham on the basis that if you were to make a balls up and couldnt back yourself up with legitimate documentation to show you have been given the relevent training and hold up to date certs, then youve been caught with your pants down a bit and would be stomped on in court, heaven forbid it went so far.

The course is a day long, the "exam" is laughable, and it costs a couple hundred quid. Its well worth doing if you plan on doing a few more jobs down the line. But if this PAt test is just a one off and your only looking to walk away with £150 or so, id give it a miss as you dont stand to cash in so well.

Hope thats of some help lad. PS as i informed some other lad regarding these one day courses, their sarnies are pants, bring your own.

 

[ruston]

Well I consider myself to be competent. I know several other electricians who do PAT testing that have never taken the course. The tests performed are simple earth continuity tests and insulation resistance tests which were covered and I passed on my 2330 course. The only difference is the wiring is in the appliance not the installation, all the theory is the same.

All you need to know is in the code of practice, the exam is based on it. The exam is not difficult but is word sneaky , they lead you into pre-empting the questions. read them twice and you'll get 100%