Pete – PASS (Portable Appliance Safety Services) – What is a PAT Tester?
English: PAT Testing in the Workplace (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
While it is a relatively simple concept to those within the industry, there are a high number of myths surrounding PAT testing in the UK. Many laymen misunderstand the nature of PAT (Portable Appliance) testing and its core purpose, which could have a negative impact on the safety of households and home-owners nationwide. With this in mind, it is worth attempting to understand PAT testing and what it is has been designed to achieve, and more importantly the precise service that it delivers to British home-owners.
PAT Testing for Beginners
PAT stands for portable appliance testing, and it serves an extremely important function in contemporary Britain. In short, it is the process of examining and investigating domestic electrical equipment, to ensure that it is safe and functioning according to strict regulatory guidelines. While the majority of electrical faults or defects can usually be located through a basic visual examination, there remain some that can only be identified through testing. This is where the confusion arises, as a combination of both techniques is required to ensure that your appliances can be operated safely.
This therefore underlines the single most important purpose of PAT testing, and while practitioners serve such an important role in 2014. Without this skill, some of the most important and widely used domestic home appliances would be not be able to undergo comprehensive safety checks, meaning that potentially thousands of households would be placed at immediate risk. Individuals who are looking to become PAT testers much first achieve a PASS accreditation, after which time they can work in a professional capacity within the industry.
The Last Word in PAT Testing
Given the important, if often understated importance of PAT testing, it stands to reason that there should be an Omni-present demand for those who wish to develop the necessary skills. Another important point to note is that PAT testers are also required to perform regular maintenance checks on certain appliances, including both visual inspections and more stringent investigations.
If you are interested in becoming a PAT tester, you will certainly be learning a skill that is capable of underpinning a long and successful career. It is also unlikely that you will ever be out of work, especially when you consider the wealth of electrical appliances available and the fact that new products are continually been innovated across the globe.
