PAT Testing should be carried out every 12 months by law

False

​

PAT Testing is NOT a Legal Requirement, the law does, however, obligate business owners and landlords the legal responsibility to ensure any electrical equipment supplied to staff and tenants within a business and/or rented dwelling is maintained to a safe condition. It is the sole responsibility of the dutyholder to determine the inspection and testing frequency of all electrical equipment on-site.

​

The frequency of PAT Testing works carried out can, however, vary depending on your on-site Risk Assessment. Prior to any final decision, dutyholders should also consider the following:

1. Environment 

2. Equipment construction

3. Likelihood of damage to equipment

4. Frequency of use

5. The users

6. Handheld or mobile equipment

7. Previous records of PAT Testing​​​

​

All computers and other electronic equipment shouldn't be PAT Tested due to risk of voltage damage and data corruption

False

​

Nearly all new IT equipment manufactured today can withstand 500v DC test voltages, mainly due to improved lifespan of the internal electronics. If no PAT Test is carried out, there is a very likely chance that an internal fault such as a live wire touching an exposed metal part cannot be picked up on the PAT Test instrument which can therefore give a false pass on the test.​​

​

The only risk of test damage is to much older electronics dating back pre-2010 as electronics prior to then were more sensitive and prone to damage due to high test voltages, the Code of Practice has made an exception for older (Pre-2010) IT Equipment including DVD players, Televisions etc to be tested at 250v DC.​​

​​

The main advisory before getting Computers PAT Tested is to save and/or backup any data including text and presentation documents currently stored on individual machines, to lessen the severe risk of any stored data becoming corrupted. 

​

All detachable IEC leads which supply power to electronic equipment are as standard PAT Tested separately at 500v DC.​​

​​

Can medical equipment be PAT Tested?

​​

The short answer is "No!". Medical Equipment must never be inspected and tested by a standard PAT Testing provider unless the provider is proved to have been given specific medical equipment inspection and testing training, Medical equipment is NOT within our skill set to inspect as standard PAT Testing Specialists.

​

Any Medical Equipment under a standard PAT Test instrument has the high potential to cause severe internal damage to electronic components within the equipment itself rendering potential risk to patients using them.​

​

Any Medical device which connects to patients such as humans or animals, should only be inspected by a medical calibration professional who will have the specialist test instruments designed specifically to carry out Medical Equipment based PAT Testing.

​

All Medical devices should have a stick man symbol on the power rating plate, this indicates to the user that X medical device is used to connect to patients such as humans & animals and therefore extra care must be taken when carrying out any inspection and testing by competent persons.

​

Medical Equipment Testing ​undergo highly advanced specialist electrical testing that a standard PAT Testing machine cannot do. There are specialist Medical based PAT Testing instruments such as RIGEL Medical out there for sale by approved suppliers. 

​​

For more information about Medical specific PAT Testing and servicing, please contact Seal Calibration:

Tel: 0115 906 3131

Web: www.sealcalibration.co.uk​

​

Will I get a Certificate of completion after my PAT Testing has been carried out?​​​​

​

Yes, I will always provide a certificate of Electrical Equipment Testing and an invoice or receipt via Email or WhatsApp, typically by the end of the day.

The EET certificate will show a detailed asset register of all electrical equipment that has been PAT Tested at your business or rental premises during my visit.

​

​​​Will I be reminded in advance when PAT Testing in my business or rental property is due for renewal​?

​​​

I usually give 2 months in advance notice, when requested by the client, as an early reminder that their PAT Testing will shortly be due.

Due to previous events and issues with emails bouncing into spam, I attempt a phone call, text or WhatsApp message to inform my customers of their upcoming renewal.

I will only ever make contact via email as an absolute final resort if certain customers only prefer to use this method.

​

(I would strongly advise adding my email address as a contact in your email provider due to previous events involving outgoing & incoming emails jumping into my customers' spam folder and vice-versa - I have informed my ICT support who are currently investigating this issue.)​

​

How do you accept payment and do all your prices include/exclude VAT?

I accept payment via Bank Transfer and/or Cheque. (Bank Payment Details are provided in the invoice)

If you only have cash available, I can also accept this payment method before I leave site and will issue a receipt by the end of day via WhatsApp or Email if required for your records.

All my prices are VAT Exempt as I am not VAT Registered