Do I Need To Calibrate My PAT Tester?
Getting your Portable Appliance Tester calibrated yearly is an important process for anyone that regularly undertakes testing and tagging.
Just as your car requires a service periodically, your PAT tester requires maintenance to ensure it is working as it should. If a PAT tester isn't calibrated properly, results will often become skewed and the tester will pass items that should be failing and vice-versa.
For example, when performing tests on Class II appliances - as the values are so small to begin with, a small discrepancy in the results could mean the difference between an item passing or failing incorrectly. There's a huge number of reasons as to why this occurs, from general wear and tear, internal and external damage or simply a component defect. Regardless, there's no way of knowing if the values are correct without it being checked periodically.
How often does a PAT Tester need to be Calibrated?
The AS/NZS 3760 standard states that regular intervals are required to ensure your PAT tester is working accurately. In saying this, the general consensus is that Test & Tag Machines will basically require a calibration every 12 months, regardless of what type of tester you use. It also states this in the Australian Standard AS/NZS 3760.
It's also according to our test and tag experts one of our top 3 ways to ensure your Test & Tag Machine stays healthy for the long haul. It usually takes about five business days to have a tester calibrated, so it's certainly worth taking the time to ensure your results are correct.
We calibrate all tester brands here at Appliance Testing Supplies - simply head to our calibration area and you can have it booked in under 2 minutes. Once completed you'll receive a calibration certificate which confirms it has been calibrated in accordance to manufacturer instructions.