In today’s modern world, electrical equipment plays a vital role in our daily lives. From computers and appliances to power tools and lighting fixtures, we rely on various electrical devices to carry out our tasks. However, ensuring the safety of these devices is of utmost importance. This is where Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) comes into play. PAT testing involves inspecting and testing electrical equipment to ensure it is safe for use. In this article, we will explore PAT testing courses led by experienced trainers from City & Guilds, their benefits for electricians and individuals interested in the electrical industry, and how this comprehensive training can help advance your career.

What is PAT Testing and why does it matter?

PAT testing is the process of inspecting and testing electrical equipment to ensure its safety for use. It involves a combination of visual examinations and electrical tests to identify any potential faults or hazards that could pose risks to users.

The importance of PAT testing lies in ensuring the safety of individuals and the prevention of electrical accidents. Faulty or damaged electrical equipment can lead to electric shocks, fires, or other hazardous situations. By conducting regular PAT testing, potential risks can be identified and addressed promptly, reducing the likelihood of accidents and injuries.

There are several key reasons why PAT testing matters:

• Compliance with safety regulations: PAT testing helps individuals and organisations comply with safety regulations and legal requirements. In many countries, including the UK, employers and landlords have a duty of care to ensure the safety of their employees, tenants, and customers. Regular PAT testing demonstrates a commitment to maintaining electrical safety standards and can help meet regulatory obligations.
• Risk mitigation: By identifying potential faults or hazards, PAT testing helps mitigate the risks associated with electrical equipment. It allows for the detection of issues such as damaged cables, loose connections, insulation breakdown, or faulty components that could lead to electrical shocks, fires, or other accidents. Early detection and remediation of these problems reduce the chances of incidents occurring.
• Protection of individuals and property: The primary goal of PAT testing is to protect individuals and property from harm. By ensuring that electrical equipment is safe to use, the risk of electric shocks, burns, and other injuries is minimised. Additionally, preventing electrical fires caused by faulty equipment helps safeguard lives and property, reducing the potential for significant damage and loss.
• Supporting duty of care: Employers, landlords, and individuals have a duty of care to provide a safe environment for those who use electrical equipment. PAT testing plays a crucial role in fulfilling this duty of care. It demonstrates a proactive approach to electrical safety, providing peace of mind to employers, employees, tenants, and users of electrical equipment.
• Supporting reputation and trust: For businesses and organisations, having a reputation for prioritising safety is essential. Regular PAT testing showcases a commitment to ensuring the safety of customers and clients. This can enhance trust, credibility, and professionalism, distinguishing a business from competitors and attracting customers who value safety and quality.

3 Day and 1 Day EET / PAT Testing Course

We offer both a 3 Day and 1 Day C&G 2377-77 EET / PAT testing course options open to beginners, allied trades and electricians looking for an extra source of income. 

Exploure our PAT Testing course by accessing our E-Learning Free Trial which is 

designed to introduce you to relevant theoretical requirements for the In-service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment (EET testing).

Benefits of completing a PAT testing course

Completing a PAT testing course with experienced trainers offers several benefits that can enhance your career in the electrical industry:

• Gain specialised knowledge and skills: PAT testing courses provide in-depth knowledge and practical skills specific to electrical equipment testing and safety. You will learn how to perform visual inspections, conduct electrical tests, and interpret the results. This specialised knowledge sets you apart and positions you as an expert in the field of PAT testing.
• Access more job opportunities: By obtaining PAT testing qualifications, you broaden your job prospects. Many businesses and organisations now require PAT testing services, creating a demand for professionals with the necessary skills and certifications. You can work as an independent PAT tester or secure employment in various sectors, including facilities management, rental property management, and health and safety.
• Support your career progression: Adding PAT testing qualifications to your skill set opens doors for career progression. You can expand your service offerings as an electrician, offering comprehensive electrical safety services to clients. Additionally, gaining expertise in a specialised area like PAT testing demonstrates your commitment to professional development, increasing your chances of advancement within your organisation.
• Increase your earning potential: Completing a PAT testing course can potentially increase your earning potential. As a qualified PAT tester, you can charge competitive rates for your services. Moreover, by offering additional services such as electrical repairs or safety consultations, you can further enhance your income opportunities.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and Recertification

Like any field, the electrical industry is constantly evolving. Staying up to date with the latest regulations, technologies, and best practices is crucial. PAT testing courses often include elements of continuing professional development (CPD), enabling you to stay informed about industry advancements. Additionally, recertification may be required periodically to ensure that your skills and knowledge remain current and in line with industry standards.

Choose City & Guilds for the best PAT testing course in the UK 

PAT testing is a vital component of ensuring electrical safety in various environments. By undergoing a PAT testing course, you can gain the necessary knowledge, skills, and qualifications to provide this crucial service. Whether you are an electrician looking to expand your service offerings or an individual interested in the electrical industry, completing a PAT testing course can significantly enhance your career prospects. From specialised knowledge and increased job opportunities to career progression and higher earning potential, the benefits of undertaking a PAT testing course with City & Guilds are substantial. 

City & Guilds Electrical Training is a leading electrician training provider in the UK. We provide comprehensive and industry-approved courses led by experienced trainers that cover various aspects of electrical work, from domestic installations to commercial and industrial projects. Our courses are delivered through a combination of classroom-based training and practical workshops in state-of-the-art facilities and online learning platforms, ensuring a well-rounded learning experience. Fully accredited, with a 90%+ pass rate and more people passing our courses than any other trainer in the country, it’s industry-focussed, comprehensive training that builds successful careers!

To learn more about City & Guilds Electrical Training and our electrician courses, you can contact us directly at 0800 8564448. Our knowledgeable staff and experienced trainers will be able to provide you with further information and guide you through the course selection process.

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Delivering PAT Testing Course for the Grenfell Community

Following meetings with community project leaders, we recommended our 3 Day PAT Testing Course, designed specifically for those with little to no electrical knowledge or experience.

To maximise attendance,  we ran the theory and practical training over 2 days during a weekend. At some point in the near future, we will go back to facilitate and coordinate the exam, this will allow everyone who attended the PAT testing course to gain some practical real-life experience which we believe will provide the essential foundations to pass their exam.

All the standard parts of the PAT testing course were delivered including testing 110v equipment, PAT testing using multi-meters, and standard PAT testing equipment.

We are pleased to say all attendees passed their practical assessment.

Grenfell Community Feedback

Following the delivery of the PAT testing course, the feedback was excellent. One of the attendees sent this feedback after he completed his course:

“The training has been a fabulous experience. Sam the trainer is very good and establishes her credentials from the get-go. You had a full turnout and everyone was punctual (…) Sam maintained her cheerful approach throughout which was just what we needed. It was a good mix of attendees including a few older people like myself plus 4 women and one young man of apprenticeship age. Everyone was completely engrossed in the training from start to finish though, which shows that, unsurprisingly, there is a deep interest in such electrical safety matters within the local community. Once again, our grateful thanks for arranging this start-up course and also to Sam for her brilliant delivery.”

Plans for the future

Following the successful completion of the PAT testing course, the Grenfell Community has expressed an interest to attend further PAT testing training and the possibility to work with local businesses to provide Electrical Apprenticeships course.

Need more information?

We offer a number of electrical course options, for beginners as well as experienced electricians. For more help and advice, our sales team are available every weekday on 0800 8564448. Alternatively please get in touch via the website.

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There are a number of methods available to carry out PAT testing, the most two effective and recommended methods are:

• a qualified and registered electrician who offers a PAT testing service
• a qualified PAT tester.

You can find out more on our PAT testing courses pages

Background to PAT Testing

PAT testing, known as Portable Appliance Testing is proper examination of electrical appliances and equipment to determine if they are safe to use. The examination consists of both a formal visual inspection and testing by a competent person.

Although PAT testing itself is not compulsory under law, it satisfies the requirements of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 which states ‘all electrical systems (including electrical appliances) are maintained (so far as is reasonably practicable) to prevent danger.’ PAT testing is the most straightforward way to satisfy the regulations and as such, practically every business has PAT testing carried out on a regular basis. The reasons for this are pure common sense. Each appliance tested and which passes is labelled with a green label. Employees have the peace of mind that the appliance they are using has been expertly tested and is certified as safe. Additionally, a certificate of PAT testing will be issued along with the serial numbers of every appliance that has been tested.

PAT testing as a system is not new, even prior to the 1970’s workers were familiar with labelling on electrical appliances, particularly tools labelled with ‘passed’ ‘tested for electrical safety’ and ‘do not use’. Such tests were recorded in extensive log books – and were no doubt very time consuming to maintain.

PAT Testing Responsibilities

The person carrying out PAT testing work is issuing a label as confirmation that the appliance is safe to use. Therefore they need to be a competent person who has the right equipment to carry out the testing, the ability to use the equipment properly and the correct knowledge to understand the test results.

As such, PAT testing charges do vary according to the service offered by the person carrying out the testing and the quantity of appliances that need to be tested. A qualified PAT tester charges on average £1-£2 per item, however this is often discounted for larger quantities. A minimum fee will often apply in order for the PAT tester to cover their costs. PAT testers will also offer different testing programmes for their clients. For example landlords needs will be different to the needs of a large office block.

A qualified and registered electrician may charge a higher fee for PAT testing. This is because extra benefits may apply and some rewiring and other repairs to the internal electrical installation can be carried out as well as the possible repair of any appliance that fails.

How much ‘should’ be charged for PAT testing?

A quick search of the internet reveals many differing charges for PAT Testing – the lowest charge we saw was for 67p per item. However it is worth considering what your customer is getting for their money. It is essential that equipment is tested properly – untrained PAT testers have been found to:

• Duplicate results
• Not check fuses
• Overlook dangerous faults on visual inspections
• Issue labels for equipment not tested
• Wrong equipment used or worse still no equipment

It is the responsibility of the business to ensure that their electrical equipment is safe for use. If electrical shock or injury occurs as a result of faulty equipment, businesses can get sued or prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) so it is important to select a PAT tester with care.

A qualified and experienced PAT tester can test properly on average 150 items per day in an industrial setting and up to 300 items per day in an office setting. Of course this is largely dependant on access to rooms and the equipment. However PAT testers claiming to test in excess of this number may not be offering the service stated.

Whilst some PAT testing may be low per item, such PAT testers charge extra for additional services such as to replace a plug or change a fuse. Other PAT testers charge a higher fee which is all inclusive.

Staying competitive

A fair and competitive charge and proper testing of appliances is the way to go. There is are no specific rules when it comes to PAT Testing charges and every PAT tester has their own reasons for their charge rate. However when pricing, it is important to factor in other expenses such as fuel, VAT, labels and other material costs as well as the time needed to test the appliances correctly. Remember to allow time to walk around the building to access the equipment as well as allowing staff time to log off work stations, tills, and other essential equipment.

As we said at the start of our post PAT testing is more than just price. PAT testing plays a key role in the electrical safety of workplaces and protecting others from the dangers of electricity.

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