Who is going to do the testing? An existing employee/employees, an electrician or a specialist testing company.

Do existing employees have the time to test equipment? Could testing be fitted into the maintenance programme and be scheduled for traditionally quiet periods?

Does your business have a high staff turnover rate – if so remember there will likely be on-going training required?

Consider carefully who you will train.

If you are using an electrician what test gear does he have and intend using. When was it last calibrated? Does he have a PAT or an RCD Tester.

Will he charge on an hourly basis or per test basis? Will he fix or arrange repair of faulty equipment?

If using a specialist testing company how do they charge i.e. hourly rate or per test basis – how are their staff paid (i.e. are there incentives to take short cuts)?

What test equipment do they actually have or have available?

What records do you want of testing done? What do they normally supply?

Is the cost of test tags included in the price? What about barcode labelling?

If you are buying a PAT you will need to decide whether to purchase a manual or downloadable tester. A manual tester is cheaper and quicker to operate – maybe this is all you need now – what about the future?

Don’t be talked into a downloadable PAT by a sales person if you do not think this is what you need – you will likely know your needs better than they will.

Remember there is an incentive for a sales person to try to sell a downloadable PAT as they then get a shot at selling software, bar code scanners and printers (as well as the profit from the sale).

Does the PAT you intend buying have a built-in extension lead tester?  Many do, but some brands do not and these can add another $400+ onto the price.

Check to see if there is software included with the downloadable PAT - PATs are now coming on to the market with basic software included.  If you have to buy the software check around for the prices (software can cost up to $2,000 plus) - so do your homework first.

In some instances it will be useful to have an earth leakage test facility – not all PATs do this test.  Can be used instead of a 500V Insulation Test on IT Equipment.

Look at the company you are considering purchasing your PAT from; do they just stock one brand?  If they want the sale then they have to try and sell you what they have got – not necessarily what you need.