New
PAT250 Portable appliance testing (PAT) instrument
Wireless-Controlled Testing
Conduct appliance tests effortlessly from your mobile device with Bluetooth wireless control functionality. The PAT250 and CertSuite PAT software let you manage the entire testing process wirelessly, reducing the need to manually interact with the device and making testing faster and more convenient.
Intuitive Mobile Interface
The PAT250 is designed with a user-friendly, mobile-compatible interface, requiring minimal training to operate. Test results are displayed clearly, with pass/fail indicators that make it easy for staff to make quick, confident safety decisions.
Secure Cloud Storage & Reporting
CertSuite PAT software provides secure cloud storage for all test results, accessible anytime and from anywhere. Easily generate professional reports for compliance, review testing history, and schedule future tests, helping you stay organized and audit-ready.
Compact & Portable Design
Lightweight, battery operated and handheld, the PAT250 is ideal for on-the-go testing across your facility. Its compact, battery-operated design makes it easy to carry, store, and deploy as needed, allowing you to maintain appliance safety without interrupting your core operations.
About the product
The PAT250 and CertSuite PAT solution are designed to help small businesses and maintenance teams take control of appliance safety with ease and efficiency. The PAT250 provides quick, accurate pass/fail testing for electrical appliances, ensuring they meet safety standards with minimal disruption to your daily operations. Its mobile functionality and intuitive interface mean that trained staff can easily conduct tests without the need for extensive training. This handheld, battery-operated unit is lightweight, rugged and portable, making it convenient to carry around your facility and store when not in use.
Pairing the PAT250 with the CertSuite PAT software unlocks a complete appliance safety management system. Test results are securely stored in the cloud, allowing you to access data anytime and from anywhere, while also enabling easy reporting and record-keeping for compliance purposes. CertSuite PAT also offers flexible testing capabilities with customizable pass/fail criteria, so you can adjust standards to match specific company needs. This adaptability ensures that your team can focus on essential tasks, while testing is streamlined and seamlessly integrated into your existing workflow.
With the PAT250 and CertSuite PAT software, you can reduce costs, simplify compliance processes, and gain peace of mind knowing your appliances are thoroughly tested and recorded. The solution minimises disruptions and ensures your workplace remains safe and compliant, making it an invaluable tool for maintaining a high standard of electrical safety.
FAQ / Frequently Asked Questions
Portable appliance testing is the visual examination and electrical testing of portable electrical equipment used in industrial, commercial, or public access areas and locations (including rented property) to ensure they are safe to use and cannot present an electrical hazard to the operator or anyone in their vicinity.
The frequency of the visual examinations and electrical tests is established by risk assessment and experience. No strict test schedules exist. However, a simple risk assessment will identify the suitability of an asset for the application and environment in which it is being used and whether a change to the suggested retest frequency or even removal of the equipment altogether is appropriate. The following criteria should be considered when evaluating the risk.
- Inspections
- The environment
- The users
- The equipment construction
- The equipment type
- Frequency of use
- Type of installation method
- Previous records
- Functional in-service life
Further guidance is provided in Health and Safety Executive Guidance Note HSG107, which can be downloaded free of charge from the HSE website.
Visual examination is vital and always precedes electrical testing. It often reveals major defects that testing alone would not show. Effective hierarchical progression of in-service visual examination and/or electrical testing categories include:
- Operator checks (no records if the equipment is OK).
- Formal visual inspection (recorded).
- Combined visual examination and electrical testing (recorded)
The CoP makes it clear that everyone has responsibilities, including users of the equipment and, in some circumstances, even trainees. However, there are people who are likely to have particular responsibilities. These include, but are not limited to:
- Employers and self-employed people
- Landlords
- Those operating and working for hire and rental companies
- Persons who maintain electrical equipment and those who manage maintenance schemes
- Equipment users, to monitor the equipment they use and ensure it has no obvious faults or damage
Further reading and webinars
Related products
Troubleshooting
Hold down the test button while the tester switches on and select reset. Warning: Back up your data before resetting, as data may be deleted in the process.
Although infrequently encountered, when an “E56” message appears, a fuse has blown due to a failure on the programmed board. You can replace fuses and restore operation for a time, but most likely, there is a problem (defective or burnt-out component) on the board. Schedule your PAT450 for calibration or replacement.
Interpreting test results
Earth continuity is applicable for Class I equipment and extension leads. The purpose of the test is to ensure that the earth terminal has a low resistance connection to the conductive metal casing of the appliance by electrical bonding. Two test methods are available, and the technique used should depend on the circumstances.
Low current continuity test - A continuity measurement is made with the asset plugged into the PAT tester and using a short circuit test current of between 20 and 200 mA. The test is made between exposed conductive parts of the equipment and the earth pin of the plug (or earth-terminal of the supply). This is performed using the PAT’s earth bond lead. Note the maximum resistance value while flexing the asset supply cable. You should investigate any fluctuation in the reading. You should also visually examine the power cable terminations at both ends.
High current bond test - A continuity measurement is made with the asset plugged into the PAT tester and using a test current of at least 1.5 times the fuse rating (max 26 A) for between 5 to 20 seconds. The bond test should be made between exposed earthed conductive parts of the equipment and the earth pin of the plug (or earth-terminal of the supply). This is done by connecting the earth bond lead of the PAT to the exposed metalwork. Note the maximum resistance value while flexing the asset supply cable. You should investigate any fluctuation in the reading. You should also visually examine the power cable terminations at both ends.
Take care when measuring earth bond on appliances where the construction includes exposed metalwork having casual contact to earth. This metalwork is primarily protected by double or reinforced insulation. The earth connection is only classed as ‘fortuitous.’ So the resistance value is unlikely to be as low as truly bonded metalwork, and a test performed on this unbonded metalwork may give misleading results. Examples of this construction may include a steam iron’s soleplate or a kettle’s metal chassis. A high current bond test using up to 26 A may also damage casual-contact components. You should perform a low-current test first to identify potential problems.
To pass the earth continuity test, the measured value should not exceed those shown:
For appliances without a supply cord | For appliances with a power cord (3 core), extension leads, multiway and RCD adaptors |
0.1 Ω | (0.1 + R) Ω where R is the resistance of the protective conductor of the supply cable |
If the resistance R of the protective conductor cannot easily be measured, the table below provides nominal cable resistances per metre length for various types of flexible cable.
You should identify the cable and measure its length. You can calculate the protective conductor resistance using the app PAT toolbox or by using the table and a calculator. The Megger PAT400 testers have built-in compensation for resistance in long supply cables.
Nominal conductor CSA (mm2) | Typical no. of strands in conductor | Maximum current carrying capacity (A) | Nominal conductor resistance (Ω/m) |
0.5 | 16 | 3 | 00.39 |
0.75 | 24 | 6 | 0.026 |
1.0 | 32 | 10 | 0.0195 |
1.25 | 40 | 13 | 0.0156 |
1.5 | 30 | 15 | 0.0133 |
2.5 | 50 | 20 | 0.008 |
4 | 53 | 25 | 0.005 |
Generally, you perform insulation testing by applying a known (500 V DC) test voltage and measuring the insulation's resistance. 500 V may cause damage to sensitive equipment such as IT. Therefore, you may substitute with a low voltage (250 V) insulation test, a touch current test, or an alternative leakage current test.
Note: You must switch on the appliance at its own power switch for both test methods. If it is not, then the electrical test is only being carried out as far as the switch. The minimum insulation readings that you should obtain are shown in the table below. For equipment with an electrically operated switch, the insulation test can be substituted with a mains-powered protective conductor or touch current measurement.
This test is an alternative to an insulation test. We recommend its use when an insulation test could damage the asset or when the insulation test results are suspect. For this test, you energise the asset at its normal operating voltage, and any current flowing to earth is measured. For Class I, this is to the earth pin of the plug; for Class II, this is to any accessible conductive surface using a remote probe.
Note: a low voltage insulation test should be performed before any energised test, such as the touch current test, to identify any potential danger from poor insulation and shorted connections. This test is only available on the more sophisticated portable appliance testers, such as the Megger PAT.
It is essential to ensure that the asset is safe to run during the test. For example, if testing a kettle, it should be part-filled with water so as not to damage the element during this test.
This test is useful where it may be deemed dangerous to run the asset during a protective conductor or touch current measurement. This test uses 40 V AC, which will not operate the asset during the test. This test can be battery powered, removing the need for a mains supply during testing.
In all cases, the current is measured within five seconds after the application of the test voltage; the values must not exceed those given below.
Pass values | Portable or handheld Class I | Class I heating equipment with a rating >= 3 kW | All other Class I equipment | Class II equipment | Class III equipment |
Insualtion (min) | 1.0 MΩ | 0.3 MΩ | 1.0 MΩ | 2.0 MΩ | 250 KΩ |
Touch current (max.) | 0.75 mA | o.75 mA or 0.75 mA per kW whichever is the greater with a maximum of 5 mA | 3.5 mA | 0.25 mA | 0.5 mA |
A functional test is carried out during the “load” test or the mains-powered protective conductor or touch current measurement. This test will determine the following:
if the asset functions correctly
the VA rating of the appliance
This can be a good indicator of future problems and potential failures in an appliance. Problems, like worn bearings on a drill, would probably result in increased current drawn from the supply and, therefore, an increase in the VA reading.
User guides and documents
FAQ / Frequently Asked Questions
To set up custom test sequences on the PAT250, begin by connecting the tester to the CertSuite PAT app via Bluetooth. Once connected, navigate to the custom test sequence section within the app. Here, you can define specific test parameters based on your requirements. This allows you to create a standardized process that suits the types of appliances you commonly test. After saving your custom sequence, it can be automatically recalled by the PAT250 for future tests, ensuring efficiency and consistency. This feature is especially useful for those who regularly test different types of equipment and want to streamline the testing process.
For models like the PAT250, PAT250SRX, and PAT450, you can easily transfer test results to the CertSuite PAT software. The PAT250 and PAT250SRX support wireless transfer via Bluetooth, directly syncing with CertSuite PAT through the app. If you’re using the PAT450, results can be transferred using a USB stick. Simply save the test results on the tester, export them via USB, and then upload them to CertSuite PAT. Once transferred, you can securely store data, generate reports, and ensure compliance with current safety standards, saving time in the reporting process.
Regular updates ensure that the CertSuite PAT app remains compatible with the latest standards and functionality. To update the app, first, ensure your mobile device or computer is connected to the internet. Open the app store (Google Play for Android, or the App Store for iOS) on your device and search for "CertSuite PAT." If an update is available, you will see an “Update” button next to the app. Tap this button to download and install the latest version. For users on a web browser, simply refresh the app, and the latest version will load automatically. Keeping the app updated ensures optimal performance and access to new features.
