Portable appliance testing in a group of modelling enthusiasts with reasonable technical skills; what qualifications are formally required for the tester?

There's probably no simple yes/no answer - the law doesn't stipulate thing in that kind of detail (last time I looked it didn't even demand appliance testing as such - just a necessity to ensure systems were safe - and testing was "generally regarded" as one means of achieving that).

Going back (30-ish years?) when "PAT" first came in across most workplaces I was sent on a short course and given a certificate and was then deemed OK to carry out testing. (and I'm one of these people who while is quite enthusiastic about all things electrical and have absorbed a bit of knowledge on the subject, I had no actual electrical qualifications beyond A-level physics). Guidance and what's generally acceptable may have moved on this then though. I'm sure someone will be able to point you to the current CoPs etc.

I will make the observation thought that a lot of experience in one electrical area doesn't necessarily help hugely when working in another - as while the basic principles and physics are of course the same, there can be major differences in implementation details. Appliances especially can be quite different to fixed installations for example. The number of times we've had electricians question the safety of an appliance because the metal case wasn't earthed (the innards were Class II) or carry out repairs/modifications in a way that inadvertently compromise the Class II protection.

Also a lot will depend on quite what of environment this is - is it a workplace for example (if not the H&S@W Act and the Electricity at Work Regs might not apply at all), Insurance or landlord may have particular demands.

   - Andy.

There's probably no simple yes/no answer - the law doesn't stipulate thing in that kind of detail (last time I looked it didn't even demand appliance testing as such - just a necessity to ensure systems were safe - and testing was "generally regarded" as one means of achieving that).

Going back (30-ish years?) when "PAT" first came in across most workplaces I was sent on a short course and given a certificate and was then deemed OK to carry out testing. (and I'm one of these people who while is quite enthusiastic about all things electrical and have absorbed a bit of knowledge on the subject, I had no actual electrical qualifications beyond A-level physics). Guidance and what's generally acceptable may have moved on this then though. I'm sure someone will be able to point you to the current CoPs etc.

I will make the observation thought that a lot of experience in one electrical area doesn't necessarily help hugely when working in another - as while the basic principles and physics are of course the same, there can be major differences in implementation details. Appliances especially can be quite different to fixed installations for example. The number of times we've had electricians question the safety of an appliance because the metal case wasn't earthed (the innards were Class II) or carry out repairs/modifications in a way that inadvertently compromise the Class II protection.

Also a lot will depend on quite what of environment this is - is it a workplace for example (if not the H&S@W Act and the Electricity at Work Regs might not apply at all), Insurance or landlord may have particular demands.

   - Andy.