Do I need to calibrate my PAT Tester? People ask this question all the time, and we understand why. Calibrating your PAT is costly; it’s inconvenient; it’s annoying. However, the reality is it’s also necessary. Missing a calibration could be devastating and likely to cost you more money and generate more inconvenience than if you'd just calibrated your tester in the first place. Find out why PAT tester calibration is so crucial and get the answers to other frequently asked questions.[1]
Quick Links
- Why Should I Get My PAT Tester Calibrated?
- When Does My PAT Tester Need to be Calibrated?
- How Are PAT Testers Calibrated?
- Who Can Calibrate My PAT Tester?
- Where Can I Get My PAT Tester Calibrated?
- What Does It Cost to Calibrate a PAT Tester?
- Further Information
Why Should I Get My PAT Tester Calibrated?
PAT testing isn’t a legal requirement. Therefore, if PAT testing isn’t a legal requirement, neither is PAT tester calibration. Be that as it may, the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, aka the law, states that any electrical equipment that could pose a risk (this could range from kettles to laptops) should be maintained in a safe condition. The law explains that it is the responsibility of employers to:
“Ensure that their electrical equipment is maintained in order to prevent danger.”[2]
HSE, Health and Safety Executive
Many employers choose to do this through PAT testing. It stands to reason then, that in order to make certain that you are operating within the letter of the law, you should get your tester routinely calibrated. This is because over time instruments may deviate from the manufacturers’ specifications. Consequently, their degree of accuracy could drift outside of acceptable limits. Ultimately, this might result in your PAT tester passing a faulty, potentially dangerous, piece of equipment.
When Does My PAT Tester Need to be Calibrated?
As there’s no law pertaining to PAT testing, there also isn’t one dictating PAT calibration frequency. However, industry professionals and manufacturers both advise annual calibration. That's why PAT testers are usually provided with a 12-month calibration certificate. If a calibration certificate wasn't supplied with your tester, you should calibrate your instrument as soon as possible to ensure it is working to specification.
Furthermore, if you are using your tester to check appliances that may pose a serious danger if they are faulty, it is advisable to calibrate your PAT tester every six months rather than every twelve.
Similarly, if you suspect that your PAT tester is defective in some way or has sustained significant damage from a drop or moisture, you may need to recalibrate your tester before the year has expired.
How Are PAT Testers Calibrated?
Calibration ensures your PAT is working to specification, i.e., within acceptable PASS/FAIL limits. As such, when you send your instrument for calibration an engineer will run an array of tests to verify that all its functions are operating correctly. They do this by comparing the results generated by your PAT tester to the standardised PASS/FAIL values or ranges specified by the manufacturer of the unit.
If the engineer finds that your tester is operating outside of these limits, they will adjust it to ensure it is within range.
As part of a calibration routine, engineers will also visually inspect your PAT to ensure there are no obviously faulty components. They may also revise your instrument’s firmware if the manufacturer has released an update.
Who Can Calibrate My PAT Tester?
Sadly, you cannot calibrate your PAT tester yourself. This is because you need specialist equipment and expertise. Attempting to calibrate your unit without either of these could result in damage to the instrument.
Thankfully, we have a team of calibration engineers with the knowledge, experience, and equipment to calibrate your PAT tester efficiently and accurately. We offer standard and UKAS calibrations, with prices starting from as little as £59.50 (Ex VAT). As leading test equipment specialists, we are proud to say that we have the resources and knowledge to calibrate an array of PATs by leading brands like:
- First Stop Safety
- Fluke
- Kewtech
- Martindale
- Megger
- Metrel
- Rigel Medical
- Robin-Amprobe
- Seaward
- TestSafe
- UNI-T
Click for More Information and to Get a Quick Quotation
Where Can I Get My PAT Tester Calibrated?
With calibration laboratories in Stockton-on-Tees, Leeds, Glasgow, and Belfast, it would be our pleasure to calibrate your PAT tester for you. We offer a fast turnaround as well as a choice of standard and UKAS calibration. For further information about booking a calibration or for a quick quote, please click here.
Get a Quick Quote or Book a Calibration
What Does it Cost to Calibrate a PAT Tester?
Prices are dependent on the make and model of your tester, as well as the type of calibration required, for example, standard or UKAS. However, prices start from just £59.50 (Ex VAT). View our complete calibration price list below.
Download Our Complete Calibration Price List
Further Information
For more information regarding our calibration and repair services, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our Calibration team via our enquiry form. Alternatively, you can call us at:
- Stockton-on-Tees (Head Office): 01642 626144
- Leeds: 0113 235 1356
- Glasgow: 01698 829711
- Belfast: 02890 830302
Did you know we also provide training and test equipment?
You can view our prospectus of training programmes here. We offer a variety of PAT, electrical, high voltage, thermal, ultrasound, and pressure training courses.
In addition to PAT testers, we provide an eclectic range of electrical test equipment as well as measurement instruments for other industries such as gas/HVAC, industrial, and environmental. We also offer an array of tools and thermal cameras.
Please visit our website for more information.
Shop Test Equipment, Thermal Cameras, and Tools
For more help or advice, please contact our Sales team on 01642 931 329 or via our online form.
[1] The following sources provided a majority of information for this blog:
- Jack Bennet, ‘How Often Does a PAT Tester Need to be Calibrated?’, Meter Test Lab, last accessed 03 August 2023
- PASS, PAT Tester Calibration, last accessed 03 August 2023
- PATTA, Do I really need to calibrate my PAT Tester?, last accessed 03 August 2023
References to additional resources are provided.
[2] Health and Safety Executive, PAT – Portable appliance testing FAQs, last accessed 03 August 2023
