PAT Testing Explained

Portable Appliance Testing, often called PAT testing, checks electrical appliances for safety. It involves visual checks and electrical tests to spot damage, wear, or faults that could cause harm.

Why have appliances tested?

Faulty appliances raise the risk of electric shock, burns, and fire. PAT testing helps identify problems early and shows that reasonable steps have been taken to keep people safe.

For landlords, it supports duties around electrical safety in rented homes.

What does PAT testing involve?

A competent person checks the appliance, plug, and cable for visible damage. Class I equipment¹ also undergoes electrical tests, where signals pass through the cable and appliance to check their condition.

Who can carry out PAT testing?

Electrical work should only be done by someone with the right knowledge, skills, and experience to avoid danger.

Many registered electricians offer portable appliance testing. You can find a registered electrician here.

What will I receive?

After inspection and testing, you should receive a report that includes:

• A list of appliances tested, with type, description, and location
• Test results for each appliance
• Details of any items that failed, with reasons
• A pass or fail label on each appliance showing the test date, next test date, and inspector’s signature.

If the results are unclear, the person who carried out the testing should explain the report and outline any next steps.

¹Class I equipment uses a protective earth connection as part of its safety design.