MetroPat 200

Today we are starting a review of some of the testers that are out of production but still very commonly in use.
If your looking for a second hand Pat read on first up will be the metroPat 200/220

A little background these were produced by Metrotest instruments hence the name metroPat production was from the mid 1990s to mid 2000s.
A basic functional Pat where results needed to be interpreted by the user, results being displayed in a large easy to read format on a LCD display.

There are as shown above were two different models the 200 and the 220 the later had the ability to do a substitute leakage test otherwise they were identical, early models were yellow while later where black all came in a tough ABS plastic type case with removable lid.


Controls were very simple a rocker switch next to the labeled test function on the front screen, these switches could be operated in any order though they were displayed in a logical manner from a safety point thereby giving guidance to the less skilled.
The only other control was the rotary switch which switched the test current for the protective earth test.


All the metroPat 200/220s could perform an earth bond test with test currents ranging from 4.5 amps to 20 amps at various preset values, they could also perform an earth continuity test at 100milliamps via a separate test lead.
There was no ability for accessories such as printers nor did any have an onboard memory.
Battery operation was also not possible.

Now let’s just go through the normal test functions
Earth bond and earth continuity tests were both possible with test currents ranging from 100 milliamps to 20 amps.

Now onto the Insulation Resistance test, this was performed at 500volts only, this may sound strange but back in the production period there was little calls for different test voltages.

Leakage testing was not possible accept as a substitute leakage test, the substitute test voltage was 40 volts.

Lead testing was performed by plugging in an adaptor lead as is the norm today.

Other functions were not available on either models.

Summing up this tester, twenty years ago it was probably quite a good little tester when compared to many others, even today it does something many popular testers don’t do still that being a protective earth test at a higher test current (20 Amps) and the actual test results are displayed numerically, which means a good user can determine if something is just passing or just failing.
There are many of these still scattered around NZ and some in Australia so considering there age they have proven to be a reliable basic safety testing Pat that represented good value for money at the time.


We will conclude with the normal big 3 questions.

Q Does it enable the testing person to comply with ASNZS 3760
A In some circumstances ie if earth testing and 500volt Insulation resistance tests only need to be done.

Q Is it a safety tester or compliance-only tester?
A Based on our normal requirements for this we would have to call it a safety tester.

Q Value for money? Probably a little irrelevant now a better question might be should I buy a second-hand one of these and at what price?
This we can answer easily if it’s given to you greatly – but we wouldn’t buy one, they are old and no parts are available anymore, they are also not easy to perform calibration adjustments and it’s highly likely it’s out of calibration.

Well thats it for the first of the out of production and or old Pat’s review, we have a few to follow so keep an eye out.

Happy testing

The Pat Review team

MetroiPat- The SupaPat Version

Today we will look at probably the first touch screen Pat, that is the metroiPat which is mostly sold as a SupaPat, this sits in the $5000-6000 bracket ( in SupaPat format )

First a bit of background, this product is supplied by Metrotest who have a very long history when it comes to Pat testers.
Most of the Pat is built in Poland but some of it is manufactured in NZ, we will look at what Metrotest call the SupaPat version of this Pat.
The ( i ) in the name stands for intelligent, this intelligent Pat does have some fairly unique features which we will go through and decide on.

As supplied by Metrotest in the SupaPat version this Pat has an inbuilt thermal transfer printer which in itself is unique.
It is marketed as a ‘ real safety testing Pat ‘ and when you look at it closely we think they are right, it tests for safety not just compliance and has unique onboard safety warnings.


The Pat can be operated in various modes but the real gain is when its used in what we’ll call ‘security mode’ they call it auto test, anyhow this is the mode that gauantees the integrity of results like no other Pat we’ve seen, it then Prints this code onto the tag.

It is supplied in a tough ABS type case that is then further protected by high density foam all this being incased in a high vis bright safety orange vinyl carry bag, this makes the tester really ‘plug and play’
Inputting of data and all controls accept start and stop ( safety reasons ) are done via the large onboard color touch screen.


Alternatively data may be entered via a 2D scanner, it is claimed up to 1million records can be stored on board ( why you would store that many records we don’t know )


This Pat is very much an unknown in Australia as it was never marketed here, but in NZ it appears to of sold reasonably well.
One thing that seems a little surprising to us is that its not designed to run on batteries in any situation.


We’ve had to examine and try this Pat extensively due to its claims to see whether it lives up to its claims so we will give you lots more about it but first let’s look at what it can do.

Tests Performed

Protective Earth Test
This test can be performed at multiple current settings from 200 miiliamps right up to 25 Amps.

Insulation Resistance Test
This can be performed at 50/250 and 500 Volts

Leakage Testing
Leakage tests include differential, touch, PE leakage and leakage via accessorise clamp.

Lead Testing
As normal but any number of individual tests can be done and results stored for each test ( eg 17 earth tests on a power board or more !)

RCD testing
All portable and fixed RCDs can be tested at various settings including a ramp test and trip times and currents stored/printed at 0 or 180 degrees.

Other Features


These are numerous so this will take some time, however, we will just stick to the ones we consider unique.
The onboard printing system can be used to give the user four different color systems from one roll of tags ( no need to change roll) we haven’t seen this before.
Tags can have as much data as selected as printed tags are continuous in nature and automatically cut to length.
Two tags can be printed and records stored ie a tag for a detachable lead and one for the appliance, failed tags are the most obvious we’ve seen, ( often when folded they aren’t really distinguishable from a pass tag ) also the reason for failure is highlighted automatically onto the tag.
Multiple different selectable standards can be auto printed onto the tag eg ASNZS 3760 /ASNZS 3012 or ASNZS 5561 etc.

Perhaps the most important from a safety and security point of view is the ‘locked in test settings’ this means no one can accidentally or purposely effect the integrity of the results.
Something else we found interesting is that you can use the tester for other uses eg warrant of fitness for a ladder or harness or anything really, the MetroiPats we think will be well worth keeping an eye on as they seem to be a little ahead of the pack without gimmicks !

In summary we haven’t seen many in Australia yet but believe a big shipment of a latter version has been sold here.
They are a very quick Pat packed with extra features that are all worthwhile, the only two negatives we have is they aren’t small but then again they aren’t massive or really heavy either, we do also wonder why no battery operation.

Well let’s see how they stack up when it comes to the big three questions.

Q Does it enable the testing person to comply with ASNZS 3760 ?
A yes completely

Q Is it a safety tester or compliance-only tester?
Based on our criterion this definitely is a safety tester

Q Value for money?
A Compared to other competing Pat’s this we consider is excellent value for money

Happy Testing

The Pat Review team

Megger Pat 32

Today we are continuing to look at some common out of production Pat’s

The model we are focusing on today is the Megger brand Pat 32 Tester

A little background here, Megger is a good very large and well proven manufacturer of test and measurement equipment.
They manufacture lots of test instruments but don’t focus on Pat’s this can be seen even today as there Pat’s are normally good solid workhorses they aren’t generally the most user friendly Pat testers on the market .

In the late 1980s they introduced this Pat onto the world market, the product being designed and built in the UK.

This is a well built basic Pat tester, when I say basic I truly mean that, if you wanted to test extention leads or any leads for that matter you needed to buy an accessory to enable this test to be done and this wasn’t a five dollar option!

The Pat32 came in a hard plastic case with removable lid, the case definitely wasn’t bullet proof, ie don’t think we could call it the Pat’s best feature.
That said we have to give some credit here, it had a very large digital and analog type LCD display which was way ahead of the completion at the time and very easy to read.

Operation was simple along the bottom of the Tester there were four switches that you held down to do the appropriate test, the first was for testing leads ( with adaptor ) the next two were for the Protective earth test which could be done at 10 or 25 Amps, while the last one selected the 500 volt Insulation Resistance test.

As is pretty much standard for its vintage there is no memory option nor battery operation and no other accessories available except the necessary extention lead adaptor, that is essential unless your the only person on Planet without any leads!

So let’s look at the test functions

Protective earth test
This can be done at three different test currents, ie at 100milliamps via a separate included small wander lead or at 10 or 25 Amps via the other wander lead, these wander leads are attached to screw posts on the Pat.

Next up the 500 Volt Insulation Resistance test, this is the only test voltage available on this Pat, but this was normal at the time.

The above two tests except the onboard fuse test were the only two tests this Pat performed as standard unless you bought the extention lead adapter

Summimg up this tester we again need to consider its old and many are still operational, It did do the necessary stuff back then but for today let’s just say its not quite there!

So the big three questions

Q Does it enable the testing person to comply with ASNZS 3760?
A Yes if you have a very limited range of Appliances AND no leads to test

Q Is it a safety tester or compliance-only tester?
A Like the metroPat 200/220 of a similar year it does, for its year ( based on our criteria have to go into the Safety tester category.)

Q Does it represent value for money?
A At the time it was a good basic tester but probably overpriced for what you got ie still couldn’t test leads!
Today if it’s given to you grab it – otherwise, it’s only worth something if it’ll do all that you need it to do. Remember a calibration check will also cost a couple of hundred dollars.

Well hopefully some of you find this review helpful.

Happy testing

The Pat Review team

Seaward Pat the Prime Test Elite – Plus

Today we are looking at the top of the range Seaward Pat the Prime Test Elite – Plus, which is a derivative of the Seaward Apollo 600 Pat, being as its easier to write Apollo 600 we’ll mostly refer to it as that today, this sits in the $3000 – 4000 bracket.

A little background as usual, Seaward as a company has focused on Pat Testers for decades and there products generally show innovation and the finished product tends to work very well.
As with every manufacturer things tend to follow on from previous models that have worked hence the old adage ‘ if it ain’t broken don’t fix it’ however sometimes a relook may be a better investment than new gimmicks let’s see.


That said this Pat comes in a small handheld case fitted with a permanent rubber bumper, a full qwerty keypad sits below its large screen, its light and definitely looks the part!

When you turn on the Apollo the screen lights up quickly to show a nice clear full color screen that adds to its modern design looks, then things become interesting, if you tap the screen you struggle to see why its not at all responsive … until it clicks … its not a touch screen!


OK that’s fine but in the days of everything being touch it seems odd if not initially a little confusing, kind of like car indicators on the wrong side!
That said the Apollo is an interesting little Pat, it has a lot of administrative features which can also enable users to set preferred options in test mode ie what to do when an item fails and the like it also has a full onboard manual, most of its operation however just seems to be in the Seaward Grove of things, a camera may have merit but weigh that against the fact that most if not all users have a camera already its merit is debateable.


The tried and proven operator type settings novice and advanced remain as well as an addition that is called privilege which allows otherwise restricted access.

All test settings are editable and renameable by someone so the integrity of results will always have a question mark over them, dissapointinly this is mostly the norm on Pat’s.


If you’re familiar with any other advanced Seaward Pat you’ll easily navigate and operate the Pat without too much trouble as it is mostly intuitive.
Why Seaward still carries on having data entered before testing always intrigues us, we thought this Pat may have bought a change but the status quo remains.

This Pat can store 50000 records on board download/upload options are numerous and Bluetooth scanners and printers are available, the print system is very basic and hasn’t really had any new additions, this is disappointing as Tags are a necessary part of Test and TAG !


There appears to be little if any new safety features eg failed tags continue as with other models sometimes adding confusion to the safety status of the appliance due to the similarity of the pass and fail tags.
Before we move on to the tests we do wish to say we like that its pretty, small, compact and functional.

Now to the Tests

Protective Earth test This unit does what the manufacturer calls in the manual an ‘earth continuity test’, disappointingly it cannot perform an Earth bond test at even 10 Amps.

Insulation Resistance test This can be done at 250 or 500Volts

Leakage test The normal options exist here those being differential and touch leakage

Lead test Again pretty standard – but we can’t seem to test a lead with an RCD in line as the Polarity test causes a fail.

RCD TEST As stated above there seems no way to do a polarity test on a lead with a rewireable RCD fitted ( required under ASNZS3760 ) other than that the RCD function works while being quite basic.

Other features

As standard with most Pat’s in its class it has the ability to test 3 phase appliances, however the Seaward optional is a rather expensive accessory.

Summing up

Probably its best feature is its asthetic appeal and size and the nice color screen even if its non touch !
We do have to wonder how many users have had one slide out of there hands resulting in a gravitational pulling force entering the scene with many broken pieces scattered around !

The Three Big Questions Remain

Q Does it enable the testing person to comply with ASNZS 3760 ?
A Mostly or fully if you remove RCD testing from the equation.

Q Is it a safety tester or compliance only?
A Dissapointingly its by our definition a compliance only Pat.

Q Value for money?
A looks aside its not that great, we’d say average and thats probably a little generous!

Now the star rating we will give it a 3 out of 5

Others you might also want to look at would be the Megger Pat 420, the metroiPat or the Trio safety check, they are all bigger and honestly don’t look as pretty, but then your not marrying it, except in today’s world I’m sure that will be possible soon too !

As always Happy testing

The Pat Review team

Seaward Primetest 125 EL Review

Today we are going to review another Pat from a very popular manufacturer, that being the Seaward 125 EL.

Seaward ownership changed a few years back and it will be interesting when they bring out something really new, or will they ?

We haven’t really seen anything particularly different than upgrades or off shoots from previous models this model PT 125 EL is just another of these but as stated it’s the cheapest on the Australian market!

The question is then what do you get from this tester ie is cheap good or is it more expensive overall when considering the bigger picture.

The Pat is small and light and easily handheld, maybe not surprising it doesn’t have the standard Seaward case, obviously this would add cost and if your penny pinching anything could be on the chopping block! So find your own case.
Battery operation is possible for all tests except the leakage test, batteries are not rechargeable, obviously this saves space and cost.

Operating the tester is very simple and this goes back to how the original Seaward PAC 3760 worked ie 3 push button switches.

The display is pretty much a standard Seaward display for this standard case Seaward like to use and to be fair it does the job adequately.
Pass/ fail as well as ticks and crosses are displayed as well as the actual measured values, the measured values are especially useful for the more conscientious testing person.

Though this Pat may not be the tester of choice for those concerned with safety not mere compliance … we will cover that later.
A better warning system would be helpful for some users to remind them the Pat is about to power up an appliance or tool ( might save a finger or two)

Next we can look at the test functions.

Earth Bond test

No surprises here compliance with ASNZS3760 is possible on mains or battery.

Like rest of the recent Seward range, we believe it is a stretch to call measuring the protective earth resistance at 200 milliamps an earth bond test.


So the real earth bond test of 10 or 25 amps are missing, we understand that these high current tests aren’t a legal requirement however for those concerned with breathing, testing the earth’s integrity may help to ensure you or someone you know continues to do so!

We think testing should prove something worthwhile ie will it really work if it needs to, or why bother testing at all!

We mentioned before the first Seaward in the same case was called the PAC 3760, this tester did perform a true earth bond test at 10 amps, unfortunately this was discontinued years back.

500 volt Insulation Resistance test

We are happy to say this works fine, however there is no option for testing at 250 volts so if your trying to use this Pat on batteries and need to test power boards and the like with surge protection you’ll need to choose another Pat.

Leakage Testing

Leakage testing on both class 1 and 2 is easily performed when mains powered however it is extremely likely you will struggle to test things like large angle grinders, compressors and the like due to both the momentary high inrush current and also in some instances appliances with very little current draw.

Maybe due to the above get a demo on your own gear, not much point buying something that won’t work FOR YOU.

Note

The maximum rating of the appliance being tested has to be no more than 10 amps

RCD tests

This unit has no RCD test function, this isn’t surprising considering the price.

Other features

Nothing else here of any significance, no memory or print option again not to be expected considering the price.

So how does this Pat from a big brand stack up on the big three questions.

  1.  Does it enable compliance with ASNZS3760 ? Yes but only for the test functions available ie not if you need to test RCD’s .
  2.  Is it a safety tester or compliance only Pat ? Compliance only
  3.  Value for money ? For some it may be a good cheap buy, but for others not a good buy, ie slow testing process , no results, hand written tags, limited and indefinite range of appliances it can test, no RCD test function.

Summing up considering Seawards been building Pat’s longer than most we find this Pat quite disappointing, likely buyers will be purely price driven short sited people who aren’t really concerned with safety!

Now for the score, we rate this a 2+ out of 5.

Happy testing from the team at Pat reviews

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