Which PAT tester?

[electric avenue]

Hi,

I'm an electrician who has recently started up on my own. I have been asked to carry out PAT testing in an office by a friend i have done pat testing before with my previous company (not for a few years) so would consider myself "competent.

I am confused with the huge range of pat testers available. They seem to range from £250 to well over £1000! The more expensive models have added benefits such as barcode scanning and blue tooth but these seem more for speed and convenience. Wider test ranges are also available on more expensive models but are these required? Is there any need to spend so much or is a simple model sufficient. I don’t have a lot of cash to spend on one and am wondering whether a simple pat tester for example the seaward100 is of sufficient standards to carry out the test required to pass an appliance?

cheers

 

[sparks1973]

bar coding is for speed of testing.....
depends what you intend doing.....do you see yourself carrying out a lot of pat testing?.....if so then anything that makes it go faster will be a bonus.....otherwise you wont compete with the pat firms out there (of which there are many i might add)...
the other option is to get something that is between a portable appliance checker..such as the seaward 50....and the full monty...such as the supernova...or its equivelant....
you may find pat testing a rewarding and fulfilling choice of job.....
there again..lol...

 

[electric avenue]

bar coding is for speed of testing.....
depends what you intend doing.....do you see yourself carrying out a lot of pat testing?.....if so then anything that makes it go faster will be a bonus.....otherwise you wont compete with the pat firms out there (of which there are many i might add)...
the other option is to get something that is between a portable appliance checker..such as the seaward 50....and the full monty...such as the supernova...or its equivelant....
you may find pat testing a rewarding and fulfilling choice of job.....
there again..lol...

Not planning on doing much pat testing, is more of a favour to a friend that has given me lots of other work. or maybe the odd few items from rental propertys or small offices of people i know. which is why i dont want to spend much money but dont want to buy twice if i get a cheap one then find out it isnt up to standard.

 

[sparks1973]

Not planning on doing much pat testing, is more of a favour to a friend that has given me lots of other work. or maybe the odd few items from rental propertys or small offices of people i know. which is why i dont want to spend much money but dont want to buy twice if i get a cheap one then find out it isnt up to standard.

just get a basic one then...as long as it can perform all the necessary test..such as insulation resistance and can test the CPC..which is called an `earth bond` test for some reason.....
you don`t need dielectric strength testing (flash)....you probably won`t need a downloading one either..
chances are you won`t need one that measures earth-leakage...i mean if you have an earth-leakage clamp then you can make up a short extention lead with a bit of the CPC pulled out of it (to clamp to)..
doubt you`l need a pat tester that will do load/run either....all these `features` just pile on the pounds...

 

[sparks1973]

you may find that your testing PCs n stuff....in which case you`d be as well getting a pat tester that can do the `earth bond` at a max of 200 mA....

 

[electric avenue]

Sounds good, nice simple will be prefect. thanks very much for your help

 

[Silly Sausage]

I assume you've got a MFT, use that.
All you need to do are IR and Earth continuity tests. See the IET ISI&TEE book.
Testing IT gear is a waste of time; in a former life I've tested countless items, not a single failure; hence that recent HSE review about the subject.

 

[jibjob]

Hi, i do a fair bit of testing for letting agents PAT included. I prefer to keep it simple as far as testers go & use the Kewtek KT71. It has most of the functions you would use to test office equipment, 200mA bond, 250v IR, extension lead test as well as the usual 20a bond & 500v IR plus leak test. Good for class 1's such as kettles, toasters, microwaves etc. The only possible drawback might be that it is runs off the mains but it's still very portable & light weight. Kewtek do a battery version also, limited fuctions though.
Been using for a year now and continues to do the job I require of it.

 

[oldtimer]

I assume you've got a MFT, use that.
All you need to do are IR and Earth continuity tests. See the IET ISI&TEE book.
Testing IT gear is a waste of time; in a former life I've tested countless items, not a single failure; hence that recent HSE review about the subject.

Yep just wish the HSE would clarify what they are saying
Also what tester to get if you do a lot then get a barcode one if like me its a part of the business and you do it every 2 week then I opted for the kewtech KT71 bundle and its worth every penny

 

[sparks1973]

batpats are ok for just jobbing around.....but for the more demanding stuff...its still corded...

 

[oldtimer]

Well the KT71 suits my needs as I dont do a lot as I hate it (pat testing) but need to supply the service so no batteries to worry about a neat carry case that holds all my gear plus if the OP checks the sponsors on the site you will get a discount from them by quoting this forum

 

[ZZR_MARK]

As an Area Sales Manager for Seaward, we'd be more than happy to discuss all the options in detail with you. If you call our office on 01915863511 our internal sales team can give you the contact number for your local contact. We also have a special package deal on the Primetest 100 at the moment, so it's the ideal time to speak to us.

Mark.