The PAT Tester
The In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment
Tel: 07850 656765
How long does it take to do PAT Testing?
The item of equipment will need to be unplugged from its electric socket, so obviously it will be out of use during the inspection and testing procedure. When working in offices, I typically inspect and test the equipment at one person's desk at a time, therefore allowing everyone else to get on with their work undisturbed. Typically, the average office desk set-up with a computer, monitor, printer, table lamp, phone charger, extension lead, etc., will take about fifteen to twenty minutes to perform all of the tests (and leave the desk in the state that it was in when I started!). Therefore, that person would be without her/his PC for that length of time. In the case of file servers, email servers, network switches/hubs and telecommunications equipment, etc. (which are only inspected/tested by me with the express permission of the client), this would obviously inconvenience all users to a degree for a similar period or time. I can typically inspect and test about fifteen to twenty items per hour.
If suitable and convenient to both parties, and also if it doesn't invalidate the client's business insurance, the work could be arranged for outside normal office hours. Again, express permission would have to be granted before working on 'system-critical' equipment.
