PAT Tester Comparison
What's the best entry-level PAT tester?
TestSafe miniPAT Portable Appliance Checker
Introduction
All three of these testers are entry-level portable appliance testers (PAT) that to give users access to the bare minimum to ensure compliance with the rules and regulations set down by the IET Code of Practice. Designed to be easy to use, entry-level PAT testers are ideal for beginner users or low-volume applications without many appliances and don't have the complex advanced features found on mid-range and professional-grade PAT testing machines.
The main difference between entry-level PAT testers and their upgraded counterparts is that these testers only show a PASS/FAIL indicator when testing, whereas more advanced testers will show PASS/FAIL alongside a full test reading for records. The simple indication means you can see at a glance whether the connected appliance or cord has passed the test, but also means you won't get a full reading and can't jot it down as a reference. For beginner users, a PASS/FAIL indicator is more than suitable for ensuring full compliance with PAT regulations and these testers are found in shops, schools, offices and much more across the world.
But which of these testers is right for you? All three of them are excellent at what they do (and you certainly won't be disapointed with any of them!) but they still vary in abilities and it is important to understand the differences when considering a purchase. That's exactly what this guide is for; hopefully by following it you can decide on your perfect PAT tester and get testing your appliances!
Testing Information
As we said previously, all three of these testers perform the bare minimum to ensure that an appliance can be checked for electrical safety.
That said, the basic measurement capabilities of each tester may vary depending upon the manufacturer's design and specifications. The table below outlines the common procedures shared by all of these testers alongside unique features exclusive to each unit.
| Function | UNI-T UT527 | TestSafe miniPAT | First Stop Safety BattPAT |
| Appliance/Cable Compatibility | Class I, Class II, cables (extension leads, cloverleaf and IEC leads) and IT equipment | Class I, Class II, cables (extension leads, cloverleaf and IEC leads) and IT equipment | Class I, Class II, cables (extension leads, cloverleaf and IEC leads) and IT equipment |
| Testing Display | PASS/FAIL text on screen | LED indicator lights for PASS/FAIL | LED indicator lights for PASS/FAIL |
| Insulation Resistance Test | √ Test voltage: 500V |
√ Test voltage: not specified |
√ Test voltage: 350V |
| Ground Resistance (Earth) Test | √ | √ | √ |
| IEC Lead Test | √ | √ | √ |
| Extension Lead Test | √ | √ | √ |
| Power Socket Test | √ (shows normal, earth and neutral line faults) |
- | - |
| Polarity Test | - | - | √ |
| Long Lead Testing | - | - | √ |
Additional Information
Outside of their testing procedures there's other information you need to know about these PAT testers. This section is dedicated to the additional functions of these testers alongside such information as dimensions, size and battery power.
| Parameter | UNI-T UT527 | TestSafe miniPAT | First Stop Safety BattPAT |
| Auto Power Off | √ | - | - |
| Low Battery Indicator | √ | √ | √ (battery charge display) |
| Power | 6 x 1.5V batteries | 1 x 9V battery | 9V NiMH rechargeable battery |
| Dimensions | 136mm x 47mm | 72mm x 150mm x 36mm | 45mm x 285mm x 130mm |
| Weight | 970g | 194g | 1.1kg |
What's Included?
Each of these entry-level testers comes as standard with a selection of accessories designed to be used in combination with it. The following table outlines what you can expect in each standard pack.
| UNI-T UT527 | TestSafe miniPAT | First Stop Safety BattPAT |
| UT527 PAT Tester | TestSafe miniPAT Appliance Tester | First Stop Safety BattPAT PAT Tester |
| Hard Carrying Case | Soft Carrying Case | Battery Charger |
| User Manual | miniPAT R2 Earth Socket | Test Lead |
| Carrying Strap | 9V Battery | Lifetime Warranty |
| Earth Bond Lead | Earth Bond Lead | Rechargeable NiMH Batteries |
| Crocodile Clip | Crocodile Clip | User Manual |
| IEC Lead | - | Equipment Register Form |
| - | - | Test Record Form |
| - | - | Short IEC Lead |
| - | - | 100 x Tested Labels |
| - | - | 5 x Failed Labels |
| - | - | 50 x Fuse Labels |
Conclusion
So which of these PAT testers is the most interesting to you? Hopefully using this information has helped you make a decision, but if you've got any additional questions, please don't hesitate to call us directly for more information!
You can visit the purchasing page of each of the testers by clicking the links below.
