PAT testing Adaptors A PAT tester has to carry a whole range of adaptors in his kit, to ensure he can test all the different appliances. We need to carry blue adaptors for 230v industrial equipment, yellow adaptors for 110v equipment often found on building sites and red adaptors for 3-phase equipment. There's then additional adaptors such as T-shaped earth pin plugs, theatre lighting, foreign plugs and so on. All in all a [...]
Here you will find downloadable documents only available to members. Documents for members will be posted onto this page, such as if we create Health and Safety documents for members to use.
Beyond the Code of Practice Take a look at the video of this summer's Portable Appliance Testing Trade Association's discussion group "Beyond the Code of Practice" This summer some of the Portable Appliance Testing Trade Association members got together in Nottingham for a discussion group around why the Code of Practice's content is what it is. The Code of Practice, issued by the Institute of Engineering and Technology is a book, for [...]
It is with great sadness that we have to post this news update, but we have lost one of our own, our good friend and colleague; Andrew Mitchell. Andrew sadly passed away on Sunday 9th January 2022 after battling with a long term illness. Andrew was a major part in the founding of PATTA and quickly became a key member to help form our working standards back in 2018. Andrew has been a [...]
Replace non sleeved plugs Whilst it's not the 'law' the Portable Appliance Testing Trade Association recommends replacing non-sleeved plugs for sleeved ones. Non-sleeved plugs have not been manufactured in the UK since 1984, and they don't meet the standard for safety - not having sleeves on the earth and insulation pins means a user could come into contact with the electricity supply when plugging in or unplugging a device, so these plugs don't [...]
PAT testing is a process carried out to check electrical equipment fitted with a plug is safe to use; it is part of health and safety in the UK. A thorough PAT is crucial to find issues that may not be detected normally, so should be carried out by an experienced, skilled operator. The price for PAT testing depends on many different factors, not least geographical area, with prices in the UK ranging from 50p [...]
PAT tester Calibration PAT tester calibration - is it really necessary? Do I really have to get it done every year? Members often ask about getting their PAT tester calibrated, and it is a question we often see pop in forums online, "do I really need my PAT tester calibrated every year? It's such an expense!" I bet your customers are asking the same question about their PAT testing! However, most responsible people, know the [...]
The HSE expects businesses to resume testing of their equipment following Covid restrictions. In early April (2021) the Health and Safety Executive updated their guidance for "thorough examination and testing of equipment", which includes electrical equipment, and we, the Portable Appliance Testing Trade Association, agree with them completely. The HSE have stated that during the coronavirus pandemic, businesses may have found it difficult to carry out their [...]
PAT Testing during the January 2021 Lockdown Guidance Note 01/2021 Guidance Note for PATTA Members, Duty Holders and the Public PATTA is the trade organisation for PAT Testing Companies in the UK and we represent the interests of all of our members and others in the PAT Testing Industry. PATTA members might be wondering whether or not it is possible for them to continue working [...]
Class 2 (Functional Earth) – also referred to as Class 2FE If you’ve just started to read the new Code of Practice from the IET, you might have noticed a slight change in the way that equipment is classified – previously we’ve considered mains powered electrical equipment to be Class 1 (if it has an earth connection) or Class 2 (if it has double or reinforced insulation.) Some equipment has required an earth [...]
