We have recently seen PAT testing courses online and our opinion is that although online learning is great for certain subjects we feel PAT testing is not one of them. All of our courses have lots of practical training, with online learning this is absent.
We have completed the distance / online PAT testing courses that are out there and we have found  that the training is very poor.
We do not believe someone could be competent after such training in PAT testing.

A very common error is people call PAT testing PAC testing. PAT testing is Portable Appliance Testing.

We will run our PAT testing course anywhere, we regularly go to clients sites in England, Scotland and Wales. We also have ran courses in Europe for some of our customers.

People get worried unnecessarily whenever they have to do a course and test, some people we train have not had to do a test since school!

We like to think that our course train and coaches you to ensure you PASS your PAT testing course. We will give you all the knowledge you need, we also give you training aids to use and supply a full support website for after your training (learning zone).

So come to the course calm, with an open mind and a willingness to learn and we will do the rest.

A PAT tester is the test and measurement instrument needed to complete the full PAT test. It measures levels of resistance and it needs to be checked at suitable intervals. Most manufacturers and the IET Code of Practice state that this should be annually. We can arrange for your PAT tester to be calibrated if you require.

PAT testing is the process of ensuring the appliance is safe, the process that we need to follow to make the decisions that an appliance is safe could be done by most people.

To do PAT testing you need to complete some training and be assessed as competent.  Most people after such training could become a PAT tester.

The City and Guilds 2377 PAT testing course is a formal level 3 qcf qualification for practicing electricians. It is a theoretical course that tests the candidate in their awareness of the the IET code of practice.

City and Guilds state that the course is for practising electricians, you are expected to attend the course having lots of electrical experience.

Unfortunately we are seeing training companies put students on this course that have never opened a plug. It is not the right course if you are not an electrician. It also has very little practical (One Class 1 appliance and 1 Class 2 appliance), so you will leave the course having to learn how to practically PAT test!

A quick search about PAT testing and just about everyone claims to be a “PAT testing expert”.

Any PAT testing course worth anything will follow the IET Code of Practice (Currently 4th edition). Please ensure your “PAT Testing Expert” courses follows this.

Visual Inspection of : 

• Plug
• Cable
• Casing

Use a PAT tester to check: 

• Earth Continuity (if required)
• Insulation Resistance (500Vdc or 250Vdc as appropriate)
• Leakage Test (Earth and Touch)  (as required)
• Load / Function Test

Record all the results accurately.