Author: nmptap

If you are planning to carry out test and tag of your electrical appliances in your home or business, it is good to make sure that the job is done correctly. It is by doing this that you will understand the condition of all your appliances and knows what you need to do. The test and tag process helps you know if there are some of the devices that require repairs or to be replaced. Besides, it is also a process that enhances the safety of your property and also ensures that fires that might occur, leading to injuries or death in your home or business. Here are some of the things to consider before undertaking test and tag of your electrical appliances.

Your budget

To get the best results when your appliances are tested and tagged, you must put in mind the amount of money you can afford to spend on the process. If it is your business, you have to organise the budget as you consider other expenses that you must cater to make your business run efficiently. This calls for proper planning, even if it is your home appliances you want to be tested and tagged. The budget you have will highly determine the electrical you hire and also the number of appliances you want to be tested and tagged. The best advice when it comes to budgeting is to make sure that your budget is reasonable to ensure that you will attain the intended goals for the process.

Who will perform the test and tag process?

This is a question you must ask yourself before you start the process. It is good to understand who will perform the work correctly. Usually, you need to work with a professional electrician who has the right certification and training on how to do testing and tagging of the appliances. You can understand if your electrician is fully qualified to carry out this process by checking at their documents to check the areas of electrical training website they are well equipped. This ensures that you get high-quality work and results.

When to do the testing and tagging

It is also good that you understand after how long you would want to test and tag your electrical equipment. If it is for your home, it is recommended that you have the process undertaken one every two years. For your business appliances, it is good to have them tested once in a year. However, note that this is not a rule; if you feel that you would like the process undertaken, you can go ahead and have it done even before the period you have scheduled.

Why are you doing a test and tag?

You need to have a goal why you are doing tagging and testing of your appliances. In case you are doing so to understand the ones that require repairs and replacements, you should have a well-set budget for the same. Understand the objective, and you will have the process done correctly.

If you are running any business in the country, you are legally required to have all the portable electrical appliances and devices tested for health and safety standards. That means your equipment must be PAT tested and you ought to find a company that carries out the work. Where should you start? You need to ask some questions and evaluate the answers you get from the electrical testing company.

Are You Accredited?

You can ask any given PAT testing company whether they are professionally accredited. Currently, there is no PAT regulating organization, but many professional associations companies are offering these services should belong to. Also, you can ask them to provide you with a list of past clients. That will give you an idea of what to expect from their services and what you are likely to be charged.

Are Your Engineers Qualified?

You should note that PAT testing out to be done by qualified engineers. Thus, you should check whether engineers that come to your premises are licensed and registered by a professional body. Ideally, a company that employs unqualified engineers is likely to compromise the safety of your work.

Do You Have Modern Testing Equipment

You should note that PAT testing equipment has undergone continuous improvement. Remember to ask the company how old their equipment and testing devices are. Also, the equipment ought to be calibrated to ensure that it gives the right readings. The calibrated equipment ought to have a certificate to show when it was last tested and when it is due for re-testing.

Are You Insured?

Ensure you check whether the PAT testing company you want to hire has liability insurance. As you know, the work they do on your appliances is important, and it is legally binding. Thus, if there is a problem caused by the equipment they have tested and passed, then all expenses and legal blame will be on the PAT testing company.

Do You Have Hidden Charges?

It is important to double-check everything that is included in the price of the estimate. Ask them whether it includes the cost of labels and print-out of test results. Check whether the work is charged per piece of equipment. Are there charges for changing fuses? Ensure you get fully quote in writing before the project starts. The good thing about asking such questions is that you can ensure you have stress-free PAT testing and have a good working relationship with the electrical testing company.