[Ian Rochester]

Anybody include PAT testing on their repertiore of services

I'm looking at getting a PAT Tester for my equipment and for other work, just wondering if there were any implications other than having to ensure the kit is calibrated and the person is qualified to use it (got an ex sparky working for me who has his C&G ticket for pat testing)

[jaespray]

hi ian    get mine done at a plant hire centre   about £15 ago    i only use 110 volt stuff  i have it done yearly     have been told by others (not by my lot)  that 240 volt stuff needs doing 4 times a year  dont know if this true
regards john

[BDCS]

£15 a go ? Do you mean per item or the whole job ? how many pieces ? I'd look at these  as an example of prices

http://www.gunnspat.co.uk/prices.html

[jaespray]

hi bdcs  i did say about £15.       they charge me £12+vat per item.  and onlly have 3 done.                  but i do hire cherry pickers from them.   i dont know if this is good or bad.  but suits me.  its there name on the paper work.
regards john

[Griffus]

hi bdcs  i did say about £15.       they charge me £12+vat per item.  and onlly have 3 done.                  but i do hire cherry pickers from them.   i dont know if this is good or bad.  but suits me.  its there name on the paper work.
regards john

You are paying well over the odds. That works out about £360 per hour  :

[BDCS]

I have considered doing the qualification as I have a whole heap of fans and leads that really need to be tested. AVO are about 5 mins from here and a mates missus works there so I may get a m/c with a bit off. £360/hours sounds inviting

[jaespray]

You are paying well over the odds. That works out about £360 per hour :

hi ian   from the time my machines go into the workshop to the time the paper work is done it takes about 45mins     they are working all the time    you must have a different calculator to mine
i bet you can get mot's valid for 18 months over the phone as well
regards john

[gordonswindows]

No way

We use the clients to do our testing

Under the duty of care they have to confirm our test ie they test again too allow on site so we just let them do it

Every penny counts

Gordon

[Griffus]

You are paying well over the odds. That works out about £360 per hour :

hi ian   from the time my machines go into the workshop to the time the paper work is done it takes about 45mins     they are working all the time    you must have a different calculator to mine
i bet you can get mot's valid for 18 months over the phone as well
regards john

John, to be honest you are welcome to continue to pay over the odds.

Just to confirm that we are 100% above board on everything so be mindful of what you choose to type on a public forum.

[Pristine Clean]

I have the C&G Pat testing Qualification

The machines are around £600 for basic test kit or £800 - 1000 + for a good kit and per item should be around £3.00 per test. A £25 - £40 call out if there is only a few items. Or around £60 quid for a set number. Obviously it varies on how long and number of items

You also need to keep a record of the test and date - not just the sticker.

Also certain items need to be tested on different settings otherwise the item will fail the test - this happens regularly when the tester is unaware how the item is insulated or earthed.

Computers have different test as well.

Dave

[Len Gribble]

Can’t believe the hype re pat most equipment is stationary and will never be moved, saying that every household should have this test to validate there insurance on that day (bit like an MOT) 

[Ian Rochester]

We have over 100 items of equipment that requires PAT testing, last time I was charged £1.40 per item. 

I've just bought and collected a second hand calibrated Robin 5000 PAT tester today from a reputable PAT calibration company in Yorkshire for not much more that it would cost me to get the items tested.

It did cost me about £20 in fuel, pub lunch for the wife as she came with me for the run out and she also "persuaded" me to buy her a ring for a Valentines present!!  So not as cheap as I originally expected!!!

I've also ordered a load of labels and record logs off ebay so we should be up and running by the end of the week.

[BDCS]

Reliant robin ? I suppose you are testing 3 pin plugs Sorry  : I bet the other machines are megger ! really sorry I'm off on one !

[jaespray]

hi ian    the kit i have tested  is mostly 3kva & pluss rated    water use equipment   continuous use vacs ect
after having a brand new issa629 explode on me thro a design fault   i want to know my kit is as safe as can be      i am shure of my testers & content with what i pay    what price do you put on your life
regards john

[Rick Ward]

Still sounds expensive (I too have C and G in testing), but it may be the case that they are doing more than just PA, ie a flash test or something. Either way its a small amount to pay - safety first.

[MJMR]

As far as I can tell you only have to be deemed a "competent" person to carry out PAT testing so you can carry it out for yourself very easily. There are companies online that offer a book and test to complete online that will make you a "competent" person.
 So with a lot of big building sites now insisting that any kit with cables are tested atleast every 3 months!!! which will cost a fair ammount! (which im sure is fantastic news to anyone with a machine to PAT test)
 But is it just me that thinks along the lines that a PAT test is good for what a few mins max? well atleast till you pass it on to someone to use! If someone pulls the cable too hard, drops it on their way out, the list is endless. I honestly think its a waste of time! But of course if your near Leicester and need PAT testing i honestly offer it as a service 

[Ian Rochester]

Done a few of my own items in the workshop as training without any problem, the thing that is starting to confuse me is Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3, then within these classes there are subclasses, 101, 102, 103, 201, 202.

I can work out if it's a Class 1 or Class 2 items, but how do you know which sub class to test it on. 

There should be an "idiots" guide to say TV's are 103, Kettles are 201, etc, etc

It's also not always easy to find somewhere to connect the black cable to.

At the moment I'm undecided between doing the full blown course for £195 or the online competency and DVD for £49.

[Paul Heath]

we do PAT testing after we went on a day course. It does explain a lot and you will be able  to sort out the differant classes.
Agree it is confusiing to start with...but it will be an investment