Why Even Bother Calibrating Your PAT Tester?

Predominantly this is a question we don’t get very often, but is one that sometimes persists among some.

However, most of the people we encounter take calibration and having correct operational equipment very seriously, but it’s still important to look at the reasons why calibrating a PAT tester is so vital.

Well the simple reason calibration is so important is because without it a PAT tester can drift from the manufacturers specifications.

This essentially means that the basis for pass and fail may alter over time. This then leads to false test readings, which in itself can be a dangerous consequence.

What’s important is whether you are confident in the results you are getting. Through having your PAT tester calibrated, you can be sure that it is performing accurately.

If you choose to ignore calibration time and just carry on, how can you be absolutely sure that the appliances you are passing are actually safe, how do you know that the readings you are getting are accurate?

Well the answer is, you don’t. And this is the risk you take choosing not to calibrate equipment.

So, when looking at the consequences of not calibrating equipment, these are all possibilities:

1. Test readings are inaccurate
2. These inaccurate test readings distort your results and whether you pass or fail an item
3. If an item you passed causes a shock of fire, you then have to prove this wasn’t the fault of your equipment
4. With a calibration you could easily prove that your equipment is sound and when you tested the appliance it was in perfect working order

So, you’ve realised the importance of calibration, but what do you get from your calibration service?

Well Seaward calibrate a number of different types of equipment, not just PAT testers, and work in accordance to ISO 90001:2008 (BSI certificate no. Q05356). Plus, UKAS calibration is available and all calibration procedures are carried out in temperature controlled laboratories to ensure precise accuracy.

However, with the advent of the Seaward substitution this month, we’re finding that the calibration people are a little quiet, as everyone is choosing to substitute their old PAT tester for a new pre-calibrated model.

So, what’s your opinion of calibration? Are you someone who takes its importance seriously? Tag us on Twitter using #seaward and let us know what you think.