PAT Testing Course
Birmingham

The course opens by establishing a solid conceptual foundation. You will learn what Portable Appliance Testing actually involves, why it is a cornerstone of workplace electrical safety, and how it sits within a broader programme of electrical risk management. Key industry terminology is introduced and explained so that every subsequent module feels immediately accessible.

You will be introduced to the full range of equipment categories you are likely to encounter — portable, movable, hand-held, stationary, fixed and IT equipment — and to the three equipment classes (Class I, Class II and Class III) that govern the level of protection each appliance has against electric shock. A clear understanding of these distinctions is essential, because the class and category of an appliance directly determines which tests you are required to apply.

Before you can test safely you need to understand what makes electricity dangerous. This module examines the three principal hazards — electric shock, electrical burns and fire from faulty wiring — and considers the conditions under which defective appliances become genuinely hazardous.

The module then maps out the legal landscape surrounding electrical safety in UK workplaces. You will study the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) and the duties they impose. We also address a common misconception head-on: there is no specific statutory obligation to PAT test, but duty holders are legally required to ensure electrical equipment remains safe — and inspection and testing is the accepted method of demonstrating that obligation has been met. You will leave this module clear on who holds that responsibility and what "reasonably practicable" demands in reality.

The formal visual inspection is the most critical stage of the PAT process — it catches the majority of defects before any instrument is ever connected. This module shows you how to carry out a structured, thorough visual check and how to identify the signs of damage, deterioration and misuse that mean an appliance must be removed from service immediately.

We look inside the appliance itself: correct plug wiring to BS 1363, appropriate fuse selection, the condition of cables and flexes, effective strain relief, and the integrity of casings and terminals. You will also understand how an appliance's construction reflects its equipment class, and the important distinction between routine user checks that all staff should perform and the formal visual inspection that only a competent person should carry out.

This module is where the course becomes properly practical. Working with real PAT testing instruments in our dedicated learning zone, you will learn to set up and operate testing equipment correctly and safely. We examine the full range of testers you are likely to encounter — from straightforward pass/fail units to sophisticated downloadable models capable of storing and exporting results.

You will practise connecting appliances in the correct manner, appreciate why calibrated equipment is essential, and develop the coordination and assurance that can only come through repeated, supervised practice. By the end of the session, operating a PAT tester will feel entirely natural.

Here you work through the formal test sequence and understand how to apply each stage to different types of appliance. The module covers every core electrical test in the PAT process — earth continuity testing, insulation resistance testing, lead and polarity checks, and functional checks — with a clear explanation of what each test proves and why it matters.

A key focus is understanding how the correct test sequence differs between Class I and Class II equipment, so you always carry out the right tests in the right order. Safe working practices are emphasised at every stage, ensuring that every test you perform is both technically valid and conducted without risk to yourself or others.

Knowing how to test is only half the job — you also need to interpret what the results tell you. This module teaches you to read readings against published acceptable limits, reach sound pass/fail decisions, and take the correct action when an appliance fails. You will also learn the proper method for labelling tested equipment and maintaining accurate, defensible testing records.

We cover how to establish sensible and proportionate retest intervals. Drawing on the risk-based approach set out in the current edition of the IET Code of Practice — which moved away from prescriptive fixed-frequency schedules — you will learn to set inspection and testing frequencies by considering equipment type, the working environment, frequency of use and the nature of the users. Thorough record keeping and a well-maintained asset register are shown to be the backbone of a defensible compliance programme.

The final module draws everything together and roots your new competence in its proper regulatory setting. You will understand the distinction between statutory requirements — the law you are obliged to follow — and non-statutory guidance that represents recognised best practice, and why a competent PAT tester needs to understand both.

Central to this module is a detailed examination of the IET Code of Practice for In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment, currently in its 5th edition. We explain precisely what the Code contains, how it supports the underlying legislation, and how to use it as your primary working reference. You will conclude the course with a clear grasp of what professional competence requires in this field, how to demonstrate due diligence, and how to carry out PAT testing to a standard that would withstand scrutiny.