A full PAT test requires the following:

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• Getting access to the plug of the appliance (often in awkward places - behind beds, behind washing machines, etc etc).

• For non-moulded plugs, unscrewing the plug, and checking whether all the wires are wired properly (see the 'Fails' page for examples of what I have found!), in good condition and connected properly, physically checking with a screw-driver that all the screws are done up tight.  I will mend any of the above if they are faulty, including supplying new plugs.  For moulded plugs I check they are in good condition and have the correct fuse.

• Checking that the wire sheath is tight in the plug, with no brown, blue or yellow/green wires showing out of the bottom of the plug.

• Checking that the correctly rated fuse is being used (replacing if necessary).

• A visual check of the appliance, lead, and plug, looking for any signs of damage or things that could be unsafe.

• Checking that the wire into the appliance is held tight with no inner wires showing.

• Taking a photo of the appliance which will be used in the Asset Record and Test Reports, for your records and for easy recognition.

• Conducting the full electrical safety test on the appliance with an advanced testing machine.  Depending on the type of appliance this can be up to 4 different types of test per appliance.  

• Making sure the appliance works!

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You can see that doing all this properly takes time.  It's not about trying to stick labels on as many items as possible in an hour so that you have a piece of paper and some green labels!  It's about genuinely checking everything that should be checked.  Liken it to a car MOT.  You wouldn't want some-one to just hand you a sheet of paper saying it had passed just to finish the job quickly and 'tick a box' without actually checking everything that was meant to have been checked first?!  That would just be dangerous!  So too with PAT Testing.  You can trust me that I will check each and every item properly, to ensure your staff's and the public's safety.