Electricity at Work

Virtual College Launches Online PAT Testing Course

Ilkley (UK), April 2012 - In response to its customers' requests, the Trades e-Academy, a division of Virtual College, has introduced an online training solution that provides competency for Portable Appliance Testing (PAT).




The course has been developed in line with the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, which require that all electrical systems (including electrical appliances) are maintained (so far as is reasonably practicable) to prevent danger. In practice, and to comply with these regulations, there is a requirement upon employers to implement a programme of maintenance, testing, and record keeping of all electrical appliances within a workplace situation.

This competency-based online training ensures that the learner has the knowledge and skills required to carry out a PAT test. Persons testing appliances must be familiar with the test instruments used and, in particular, their limitations and restrictions so as to achieve repeatable results without damaging the equipment or the appliance.

Chloe Weatherhead, Head of the Trades e-Academy, says, "We are pleased to be able to provide an online training solution for PAT testing. The course has been broken down into sections, enabling people to work through the content in their own time and revisit any material as and when necessary. Throughout the course there are videos that provide a visual representation of the steps involved in PAT testing."