PAT testing

[matthewgordon]

Hi all,

I'm hoping to go on a pat testing course but I need some advice before I pick one.

What is the best course to go for? There are a number of companies who offer their own course and there are also the colleges offering city and guilds qualification. The companies state that the city and guilds qualification doesn't give enough practical experience.

Is there a legal requirement of the type of course I need to complete before I can pat test equipment?

Thanks in advance for your help and advice

 

[gutterball]

I would advise you to consider something else other than PAT. There are too many companies who just go around slapping stickers on for the lowest price that make it hard to compete. Look at the threads on the forum, most of the electricians that do PAT do so as a loss leader to get other work.

 

[Richard Burns]

I would agree with gutterball.

That said competence is the key as always, the certificates are extra. If you are a competent electrician then doing a one day C&G 2377 course will sufficient to keep the "must have this piece of paper" people happy.
If you are not competent at electrical work then even the extended courses are not really sufficient to allow decent PAT testing only the sticker slapper level of "competence".

 

[matthewgordon]

I would advise you to consider something else other than PAT. There are too many companies who just go around slapping stickers on for the lowest price that make it hard to compete. Look at the threads on the forum, most of the electricians that do PAT do so as a loss leader to get other work.

Really.. .thanks for the advice. Can you advise anything else to do?

To cut a long story very short I can only work part time hours, i thought pat might be a easy way to get me in the field. Im not looking to make thousands.. . Just make a little.

Im coming to the end of my level 3 but im struggling to find someone who will take me on part time so I thought this just might get me started. If that makes sense?

 

[Burnt Fingers]

We do a fair amount of PAT testing and both testers will be doing C&G this year. We do it because we like to look after our customers - but it would be very hard to make any money out of it. To stand out from the crowd you have to test and inspect to the letter of the guidelines and perform repairs on the spot. For us it just about pays for itself, so we still do it, but as soon as you say to a prospective customer "we do it properly" they pick up the yellow pages and look up "Pat Stickers". I cannot recommend PAT testing as a choice for anyone. I hide under my desk or intentionally break all my fingers at the mention of it.

 

[Adam W]

It depends why you want to do it. As others have said you can't make a living out of doing it properly but a lot of electricians offer it to keep their customers happy.
I started doing PAT testing with a company as a way in, but then they gave me all the PAT testing work and nothing else.

 

[shanky887614]

getting the cert is an easyway to keep the monkeys off your back on sites as you can slap stickers on it and if they complain, they can watch you test it :biggrin5:

i don't have the paperwork for the item but ill grab tester from the van if it makes you happy

 

[oldtimer]

Problem you have is that you do not fall into the Monkey see Monkey do trap or in other words if the tester says fail then thats it then.
I had this yesterday seen a failed sticker on a built in oven tested it yep it failed opened the plug to see a cable trapped remade plug top off retested and it passed. I am amazed at some guys who have been PAT testing for years yet still do no have a basic understanding of what causes the most basic of faults.

So my advise to PAT specific testers dont just push the button learn how the thing works

 

[Grizzly01]

I had this yesterday seen a failed sticker on a built in oven tested it yep it failed opened the plug to see a cable trapped remade plug top off retested and it passed.

Which is a poor reflection on the slapdash cowboy who 'tested' it in the first place.
That fault should have easily been picked up by the visual inspection they should have done before any electrical tests.
They were either too lazy or incompetent to spot it, or just didn't bother with the visual at all.
Either way, they shouldn't be PAT testing.

 

[oldtimer]

I think this is exposing the poor training some of these guys get but my advice t anyone is yes get your C&G2377 then start learning and don't get stuck in a rut where you just plug it in and push the button remember every day is a school day

 

[Silly Sausage]

I think this is exposing the poor training some of these guys get but my advice t anyone is yes get your C&G2377 then start learning and don't get stuck in a rut where you just plug it in and push the button remember every day is a school day

!!!!!!! that much. I thought the normal method is just to slap a green sticker on things.

 

[markc123]

I've heard they're renaming it from 'PAT-Testing' too a new and improved 'PAT-Stickering' course. Certificate included.

 

[ohreally]

I had this yesterday seen a failed sticker on a built in oven tested it yep it failed opened the plug to see a cable trapped remade plug top off retested and it passed. I am amazed at some guys who have been PAT testing for years yet still do no have a basic understanding of what causes the most basic of faults.

I recently attended a job, only info supplied was 2 council sparks had failed an appliance, removed it from service and walked away smiling. No paperwork was left and I had no prior info re the job, simply told to fix it and get it back in service. Earth bond was high, replace 13a plug top re-tested and now reading ok, conducted IR test, O/S and earth leakage test.

Up shot was 1 hour drive to site (and return) and a 13a plug - why the sparks simply didn't change the plug (or at least left the test results) ????

 

[oldtimer]

Yep agreed How long does it take to check the plug top out to me its not rocket science but I am bemused how little knowledge some guys who pat test have and the fact that some have been doing it for years but are no more advanced with regards to guys who have recently entered the environment

 

[ohreally]

I am bemused how little knowledge some guys who pat test have and the fact that some have been doing it for years but are no more advanced with regards to guys who have recently entered the environment

These guys were not pat testers, they were electricians doing pat.

The cost involved in my attendance is out of all proportion to change a plug at the time of test.