Posted By Diane Thomason Sharon, Why not turn this one back to the person who suggested it - on what grounds have they suggested it? What have they heard exactly and where from? Personally I have not heard this, and lots of people here are merrily PAT testing using their existing testers.

Posted By Bob Pedley Hi Sharon, I think the changes you are referring to are for fixed wiring and are as a result of changes to part P (?) of the building regs in the area of competency of the installer.

Posted By Charley Farley-Trelawney david 100% agree, I have made this point for years now and I get funny looks!!!I usually say PA testing or use the full description otherwise it ends up with a double word. Chow CFT

Posted By Scottie CMIOSH How about Portable Electrical equipment Testing - Pee testing is always good for a laugh

Posted By Diane Thomason Pee testing - excellent! On a similar note why do we say PIN number? PAT testing and PIN number have bugged me for years but I've been trying to get over it! You have ruined my rehab!

Posted By George Wedgwood It's no different from 'MOT Test' or 'PIN Number'! Come on, we all know what it means and lets help the enquirer rather than become pedants! Part P of the Building Regulations has indeed changed the way domestic installations are designed, installed, altered and tested but this does not affect the portable appliances contained in them or connected to the system in a workplace, except perhaps where your PAT management system specifies inspection of the point of connection. The HSE Guidance "Maintaining portable and transportable electrical equipment" (HSG 107) price £7.95 from HSE Books, is good practice to follow. Normally a good PAT company will advise and costs should be no more than 40-50p per item so long as the inventory is of a reasonable size. The key aspect and the main point in outsourcing the work is to ensure that a 'competent person' does the inspection to ensure that the appliances remain safe in use - and the periodicity needs to take account of the frequency and environment of use. So basically, there are no 'new regs' to worry about that would change your regime of testing appliances. Only in terms of your installed system, if you wanted to align with the new part P Regs for buildings system testing (I normally recommend that small offices be treated like domestic dwellings in that respect as the employees use the installed system - i.e. sockets and switches a bit like they do at home). Regards, George

Posted By Ali The only new change is that electrical work must be carried out by a competent person - even in your own home.