When people have business or companies and they mostly deal with electrical appliances or equipments, having the PAT test certificate is important. Also known as PAT testing, PAT inspection, or simply as PAT, this Portable Appliance Testing requires the companies to pass the safety requirements. Such a test is only done in certain countries such as Australia, Ireland, England, and New Zealand. Germany also implemented the same policy, but is not as strict as the previous countries mentioned. The test is included in the routine check up for working safety and appliances usage. The overall test will include inspection for in service system as well as electric equipments testing.

This test is included as a part of safety and health regulations to protect workers safety and well being. It is meant to protect dangerous exposure for workers because they will be the ones dealing with all those equipments.Each electrical equipment requires different intervals and time - depending on the types of devices being used and how they are being treated or placed. By doing this test, at least companies have provided a safe working environment for their workers, as well as trying to limit their production risks.

The test will be based on the type of class of the devices being used, such as:

- Class I which includes earth connections and comes in single form insulated wiring.

- Class II that usually comes in insulated wiring in double form. The symbol is usually in double box form.

- Class III that usually needs to be powered by electricity in low voltage - not more than 50V. The devices usually come with the transformer.

The PAT testing should be done by a competent and credible worker. The workers should have attended PAT training and courses before they are considered trained and credible. In England, PAT workers do not have to have special knowledge in the electrical field. Anybody can join; one does not have to be an electrician or people with an electricity background. However, in Australia, the PAT workers have to attend the PAT courses and training. Certified individuals are usually working together with the city guilds or EAL under the QCA or Qualification and Curriculum Authority. They are the ones who have the authority to validate workers' qualification.

The PAT test would include several types, such as:

- Pass or fail test that is usually performed on cheaper devices. This test will include polarity, insulation resistance, and continuity of the earth during the test.

- Advanced test. In this test, there are several aspects to check such as fuse test, leakage test, lead polarity, resistance continuity, the resistance insulation, and protective conductor system. This has to be done by people who have electrical background and knowledge.

- RCD test. This Residual Current Device test will check the extension lead or adapter.

- Computerized test. As the name suggest, the test is done by the help of a computer, where the data will be accessed and assessed.

Once the PAT workers have done checking and inspecting everything and they feel that all the portable devices are safe to use, they will issue the PAT test certificate, claiming that the equipments are safe to use.

If you require a PAT test certificate  or a pat test, you can contact the PAT test office for a competitive quote.