subject: The Differences Between Pat Testers And Volt Meters [print this page] A number of different voltmeters and PAT Testers are currently on the market today. Each vary on the amount of range and testing capacities in regards to testing electrical potential. The main difference between voltmeters and PAT testers, pertains to how PAT testers are more common to the UK than the United States.
Commonly, many of the everyday voltmeters, whether digital or analog only have the capacity to handle a few hundred volts. Many times, most of the regular types of voltmeters are destroyed when someone attempts to use them to take readings on something that has a higher amount of voltage than the meter is specified for. However, the voltage range of any voltmeter can be extended by use of extra series resistance.
Types of High Voltage Voltmeters
As mentioned before, analog and digital are the two common types of voltmeters. In general, people have the option to buy meters that are more expensive with the capacity to handle large amounts of voltage.
Multi-meters
Often, electronic engineers use digital multi-meters. Depending on the type of multi-meter bought, all of them vary in regards to the amount of voltage they can handle. When they have a high capacity, they tend to cost more. Multi-meters give people the ability to measure a number of different charges, such as voltage, resistance, as well as a variety of other functions.
In some cases, they are digital, while in other cases they are analogue. People also have the choice of auto ranging multi-meters as well. This type of multi-meter has fewer options on the knob, but has the ability to adjust automatically to the range being measured.
Electrostatic Voltmeters
In general, a voltmeter cannot measure voltage without an electric charge transfer. With an electrostatic voltmeter, voltage is measured accurately on a surface of materials without the need to make contact with the surface. Therefore, no electrostatic charge is produced during a electrostatic charge transfer or from the voltage source. In consideration, this makes electrostatic voltmeters efficient at measuring high amounts of voltage.
What are PAT Testers
PAT tester is the name referred to for portable appliance testing devices. This type of device is commonly used within the United Kingdom for routine checking of electrical appliances. According to laws within the UK, all working conditions must be safe and therefore is the reason for the device use. Furthermore, the Electricity at Work Regulations of 1989 requires that all of the electrical systems within a work environment be properly maintained in order to prevent danger for their employees.
Generally, in order to maintain the level of safety required a company is required to test things such as Earth Continuity, insulation resistance, in addition to the polarity of wiring. People have the option to obtain a number of different PAT testers. In most cases, many are pass/fail testers. However, there are some more advanced systems, which allow the person to obtain additional information.
The pass/fail PAT testers are usually easy to use and come much cheaper. They work by simply displaying whether a device passes or fails during the testing. Another type of PAT tester is mains powered ones. This type is the one that is commonly used by many companies.
Some of the newer PAT testers additionally ease the testing process by allowing people to test a number of different items within a business more efficiently. They simply use a light, which lights up according to whether it is a pass or fail. Usually, those who are electricians would use the advanced type of PAT tester. With this type of meter, the readings are displayed in Ohms. In general, they are only for people who are qualified within the electrical industry.
Moreover, computerized PAT testers are additionally available for the advanced types of meters. This allows the person to download information. Overall, PAT testers are limited in the amount of functions and range of voltage in which they can test. Although the advanced PAT testers allow for more features in regards to readings, they still do not compare to traditional industrial voltmeters.
