What it is
Portable appliance testing — properly, in-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment — combines a formal visual inspection with electrical tests appropriate to the equipment's class. The IET Code of Practice for In-service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment recommends that the type and frequency of inspection depend on the equipment, how it's used and the environment, rather than a fixed annual rule. Each item is labelled, recorded and given a recommended next test date. Anything that fails is labelled, reported and, with your agreement, taken out of use.
What's included
- Formal visual inspection of each item
- Electrical tests appropriate to class (earth continuity, insulation resistance, etc.)
- Pass/fail labels with asset numbers
- Digital register and report in your account
- Failed-item list with recommendations
Not included
- Repairs to failed items (quoted)
- Fixed wiring (that's an EICR)
- Fixed equipment hard-wired to the installation unless agreed
Who needs it
- Employers maintaining equipment under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
- Landlords supplying appliances with a let
- HMOs and student accommodation
- Shops, cafés, salons and offices
What you'll receive
PAT test report and asset register (PDF), with recommended re-test dates.
How often
Risk-based. Equipment in harsh environments or used heavily needs checking more often than equipment in a low-risk office. We recommend intervals per item based on the IET Code of Practice.
What the rules say
Each point is labelled so you can tell what's law, what's a British Standard, and what's good practice or comes from your lease, licence or insurer.
- Legal requirementGreat Britain
The legal duty is to maintain equipment, not to 'PAT test annually'
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require electrical equipment at work to be maintained to prevent danger. HSE says the law doesn't make inspection or testing of appliances a specific requirement, and that annual testing of everything is a myth.
Sources: Electricity at Work Regulations (opens external site): Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, regulation 4; HSE PAT FAQ (opens external site): Portable appliance testing: frequently asked questions
- Recommended practiceGreat Britain
Frequency should follow the risk
HSE's guidance for low-risk workplaces is to base checks on the type of equipment and how it's used: user checks and visual inspection catch most faults, with testing where it adds value. Construction sites and harsh environments need more frequent checks than offices.
Sources: HSE INDG236 (opens external site): Maintaining portable electrical equipment in low-risk environments (INDG236); HSE PAT FAQ (opens external site): Portable appliance testing: frequently asked questions
- Lease, licence or insurerVaries
Insurers, landlords and licences
Your insurer, lease or licence may ask for test records at a set interval. Those are contractual requirements.
Before your appointment
- Make appliances available, including ones in storage, and tell staff that equipment will be unplugged briefly.
- Have your previous asset register if you have one, so we can keep the same IDs.
If something's found
- Failed items are labelled and listed with the reason. Many are simple fixes like a new plug or fuse, which we can do on the day if you agree.
- Items that are unsafe and can't be repaired should be taken out of use.
- You receive a register of every item, its result and when we suggest it's next checked.
What affects the price
- Number of items
- Type of equipment (110 V site tools, IT, kitchen appliances)
- Where items are spread across the site
- Out-of-hours visits
Read more
- Is PAT testing a legal requirement? And how often is it needed?
What the law actually says, why 'annual PAT' is a myth, and how to set sensible intervals.
Questions
Is PAT testing a legal requirement?
The law requires electrical equipment at work to be maintained in a safe condition; it doesn't prescribe PAT testing at fixed intervals. Testing and recording is the standard way to demonstrate it.
How often should appliances be tested?
It depends on the type of equipment and how it's used. A kettle in a busy kitchen or a power tool on site needs more frequent checks than a monitor on a desk. We'll recommend intervals for each item.