The Complete Idiots Guide to Portable Appliance Testing

A light hearted, slightly frivolous but easy to read version for those of you who have a better things to do or those too bored by the serious stuff.

• Do I have to do PAT testing?
• basically yes, unless you like prison or hospital food.
• What needs testing?
• basically everything electrical plugged into the wall.
• Why do I need PAT testing?
• to keep the doctor and HSE away and it makes your insurance company happy.
• How is the testing done?
• why worry, get an expert to do it, just make sure they’re qualified or go you back to Q1, do not pass go etc etc
• Will the testers get in the way?
• a bit, but they’re not around long, it takes longer to switch  the PC back on again than the test takes.
• How often do I need to test?
• you expect a simple answer from Government? It differs by industry and equipment, most people have it done annually.
• What do I do with the test results?
• keep them in a file and hope you don’t need them again, if any item fails and we can’t fix it, we’ll tell you.
• How much does it cost?
• nowhere near as much as the fine if you’re caught without it, the cost depends on the number of appliances, as low as 75p each, call for a quote.
• Why do you call it PAT testing?   
• because everyone else does  (Portable Appliance Testing testing!) and we’re obviously idiots too!
• Need more info?
• read the boring detailed pages or give us a call