PAT Testing Explained: Portable Appliance Testing for Landlords and Businesses

Many people confuse PAT testing with EICR (the fixed wiring inspection). They are different checks for different things. An EICR examines the wiring in your walls; PAT testing examines the appliances you plug in — kettles, laptops, drills, extension leads, phone chargers.

This guide explains what PAT testing involves, how often it should be done, who is responsible, and what the legal requirements are for landlords and employers.

What Is PAT Testing?

PAT stands for Portable Appliance Testing. It is the process of checking electrical appliances to ensure they are safe to use. The “portable” part is slightly misleading — PAT testing covers:

• Portable appliances — anything that plugs in and moves (kettles, laptops, heaters, toasters)
• Stationary appliances — equipment that plugs in but stays in one place (fridges, washing machines, desktop computers)
• Fixed appliances — permanently connected equipment that is not part of the fixed wiring (towel rails via FCU, some heaters)
• IT equipment — computers, monitors, printers, chargers
• Extension leads and power strips — high-risk items that are frequently damaged
• Hand-held equipment — drills, hair dryers, kitchen tools (highest risk due to frequent handling)

PAT testing involves a combination of visual inspection and electrical testing using a PAT tester device.

The Difference Between PAT and EICR

Related: When to Get an EICR: The Complete Electrical Safety Inspection Guide

What Does PAT Testing Involve?

Stage 1: Visual Inspection

Approximately 70% of faults are found by visual inspection alone. The tester examines:

• Plug casing — cracks, burns, damage
• Cable — cuts, fraying, exposed conductors, knots, tape repairs
• Appliance casing — damage, loose parts, missing screws
• Fuse — correct rating for appliance
• Terminals — signs of overheating, loose wires
• Labels — rating plate present and legible

Visual inspection does not require test instruments — it can be done by a competent person with basic training.

Stage 2: Electrical Testing

Using a PAT tester device, the following checks are performed:

Class I vs Class II appliances

Class II appliances do not require earth continuity testing — they have no earth connection. The PAT test for Class II focuses on insulation resistance and visual checks.

How Often Should PAT Testing Be Done?

There is no fixed legal interval for PAT testing. The frequency depends on:

• Type of equipment — hand-held items need more frequent checks than stationary
• Environment — construction sites need more frequent testing than offices
• User competence — equipment used by the public needs more frequent checks
• Results of previous tests — frequent failures suggest more frequent testing needed

Typical recommended frequencies

HSE guidance (HSG107) states: “A regular programme of simple visual inspections by users, combined with less frequent detailed inspections and testing by a competent person, is usually sufficient.”

Legal Requirements

Employers

Under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, employers must ensure electrical equipment is safe and maintained to prevent danger. This does not mandate PAT testing specifically — it mandates safe equipment.

However, PAT testing is the standard way to demonstrate compliance. The regulations require:

• Risk assessment of electrical equipment
• Maintenance appropriate to the risk
• Competent persons carrying out checks
• Records of inspection and testing

Failure to maintain safe equipment can result in prosecution under health and safety law.

Landlords

There is no specific law requiring landlords to PAT test appliances they provide. However:

• The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) requires electrical safety in rented properties
• Providing unsafe appliances could breach the landlord’s duty of care
• Many letting agents and insurers require PAT testing as a condition
• The Electrical Safety Standards Regulations 2020 require an EICR every 5 years — but this is fixed wiring, not appliances

Best practice for landlords:

• PAT test all provided appliances before a new tenancy
• Provide the tenant with the PAT record
• Ensure visual checks are done between tenancies
• Consider annual PAT testing for high-use items (kettles, toasters)

Self-employed and small businesses

If you are self-employed and use electrical equipment for work (even a laptop in a home office), you are responsible for its safety. The same Electricity at Work Regulations apply.

Who Can Do PAT Testing?

PAT testing can be done by any competent person — someone with:

• Training in PAT testing procedures (formal PAT testing course, typically 1 day)
• Understanding of electrical safety
• Ability to use a PAT tester and interpret results
• Knowledge of when to stop and refer to a qualified electrician

A qualified electrician is not required for basic PAT testing — a trained office manager, facilities person, or landlord can perform it. However:

• Any repair work must be done by someone competent (qualified electrician for mains repairs)
• If the PAT test reveals faults requiring investigation, a qualified electrician should assess

The PAT Testing Process

1. Inventory — list all appliances to be tested with location and description
2. Visual inspection — check each item for damage
3. Electrical testing — connect to PAT tester and run tests
4. Label — apply PASS or FAIL label with date
5. Record — document results in PAT test register
6. Report to responsible person — any failures must be addressed immediately

Failed appliances must be removed from service immediately and either repaired by a competent person or disposed of.

What Appliances Fail PAT Testing?

Common failures:

PAT Testing vs Using ElectraSim

PAT testing checks physical appliance safety — you cannot simulate a cracked plug or damaged cable in ElectraSim. However, ElectraSim helps you understand:

• Why earth continuity matters — simulate an appliance with broken earth and an earth fault
• How Class II double insulation works — observe circuits with no earth connection
• What happens under fault conditions — short circuits, earth faults, overloads

Understanding the theory behind the tests makes PAT testing more meaningful — you know why a broken earth is dangerous, not just that it fails the test.

Open ElectraSim — free, no sign-up →

Key Points

• PAT testing checks portable appliances; EICR checks fixed wiring — they are different
• Visual inspection catches 70% of faults — do not skip it
• Class I appliances need earth; Class II appliances use double insulation
• Employers must maintain safe equipment under Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
• Landlords are not legally required to PAT test, but best practice demands it
• Frequency depends on equipment type and environment — hand-held items need more frequent checks
• Any competent person can PAT test after training — a qualified electrician is not required
• Failed appliances must be removed from service immediately