FIRSTLY... I cut no corners, despite the low price everything is done properly.

The test procedure begins with the most important part of all - THE VISUAL INSPECTION.
This includes removing the plug top and checking all connections are tight - the commonest reason why overheating occurs in the plug is loose connections. The fuse rating is also checked. The cable is checked and all casings on plugs and equipment. Amazingly many PAT testers give scant regard for all these details and if you find anyone cheaper than me (unlikely) but they're probably working too fast to check all these points. I actually give a damn about your safety and know that you expect value for money with these tests.

If the visual inspection passes then there are 2 or 3 further tests using my special machine. This basically checks that all the cables are doing the correct job, especially the earth as this does nothing normally if the equipment is working correctly, but if your gear develops a fault you need to know that the earth is going to work to ensure you don't become the earth. It will also ensure that there is no leakage to any exposed parts of the equipment. In double insulated equipment (equipment with no earth cable) it checks that this double insulation has not broken down anywhere (especially casing screws etc).

Finally, back at base, the results are downloaded to our database where they remain in an auditable state (results also remain in memory on the test machine for some time). We then import those into our special access module, which generates both full and abbreviated certificates. We produce the abbreviated certificates as for most interested parties this should be sufficient and makes for easier reading.

The certificates (both full and abbreviated) are then made into PDFs and the files made available both to you and on our website where interested parties can view, verify (as they're on our website) and download or print. We will send you hardcopy if you request this, although generallly we try and encourage a paperless process. Only 3rd parties YOU give your client user name to can access your certificates.