Image

If you're looking to get PAT testing (or electrical equipment testing) carried out for your commercial or domestic property, we're here to help.
This article will help you understand what PAT testing means, what the PAT testing procedure involves and answer your frequently asked questions about what needs to be tested.
If your PAT testing question hasn't been answered on this page, get in touch with us - we'd be happy to help!
PAT testing is when electrical equipment is tested for safety.
This procedure is done through different types of visual and electronic tests. When testing is complete, you will receive a certificate to show that your electrical equipment has been tested and is safe.
PAT testing is also known as electrical equipment testing and portable appliance testing.
Yes. PAT testing used to be known as 'PAC' or 'portable appliance checking'.
However, the name was changed to reflect that testing is much more thorough and detailed.
PAT testing is important as it can help ensure that your electrical equipment is safe. Damaged equipment is more likely to cause an electric shock or fire, which can potentially harm your staff and customers, as well as damage your building.
PAT testing can also tell you when electrical equipment is ready to be replaced ahead of time. This means that you don't have to struggle to get your equipment replaced or repaired if it suddenly stops working.
Finally, PAT testing can provide you with a ready-made asset list of all the electrical equipment you have on-site.
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 makes it your responsibility to make sure all your electrical equipment is safe to use. This means you should regularly inspect, test and maintain electrical appliances to make sure they’re compliant.
If you don’t do this, you could be putting yourself, your employees and your business at risk.
More information about PAT testing and the law
Some insurance companies ask that businesses have proof of the PAT testing procedure being carried out. This is in order to prove that the electrical equipment on their premises is in a safe condition.
If someone is injured or property is damaged as a result of faulty electrical equipment, an insurance company may refuse to accept a claim.
Proof of PAT testing may also reduce your business premiums when it comes to renewal.
Broadly speaking, anything that is plugged into a power source needs to be tested as part of the PAT testing procedure.
This includes everything from the office photocopier and computer monitors, to the kettle and microwave in the kitchen.
'Portable appliance testing' is not entirely accurate, as PAT testing also applies to fixed appliances that can't be moved.
More information about what needs PAT testing
You can PAT test your own electrical equipment, but we wouldn't recommend it.
PAT testing needs to be carried out by a 'competent' person, ideally an electrician or an electrical engineer. They need to:
Unless you have been trained to operate a PAT testing machine safely and know what to look out for, we would advise that you allow an electrician or electrical engineer to carry out testing on your behalf.
If not, you may put yourself or someone else at risk.
It depends on how many items need testing. The more items that need testing, the longer PAT testing will take.
The building also plays a part too. An open-plan office will take less time to test than a building with several offices across multiple floors.
The 5th edition In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment code of practice recommends that you should carry out a risk assessment to determine how frequently your electrical equipment should be checked.
This will take into consideration:
For example, electrical equipment in a busy factory will need testing more often than computers and monitors in an office.
Many people think that you need to have PAT testing carried out once a year, but this isn't always the case.
You may hear electrical equipment broken down as 'Class 1' and 'Class 2' equipment.
As well as Class 1 and Class 2 equipment, you may also hear of '110v equipment'. Most electrical equipment that plugs into the mains runs on 240v. However, 110v equipment is often used in factories and on construction sites. This is because if there is an accident (for example, an electric cable is cut) then there is less risk of injury.
It used to be the case that the class of electrical equipment determined how frequently it was PAT tested.
However, the introduction of the 5th edition In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment code of practice specified you should carry out a risk assessment to determine how frequently electrical equipment is PAT tested instead.
This makes PAT testing easier to understand and acknowledges that not all pieces of electrical equipment are the same.
We carry out a number of tests when we test your electrical equipment. The general PAT testing procedure is:
If there are any remedial works that need doing when PAT testing, for example, a fuse needs changing or a plug needs replacing, our engineers will carry this work out as part of the procedure.
It depends. If you have carried out a risk assessment, this will help you determine how long to leave between tests.
When your PAT testing is carried out, we apply a label to your electrical equipment that specifies the date it was tested. This helps you to determine when testing needs to be rescheduled.
When we carry out testing we will suggest a retesting date based on the type of electrical equipment and where it is located, but this is just a recommendation.
No - the PAT testing procedure won't damage your electrical equipment if it is done correctly.
If you have sensitive or older electrical equipment, your engineer will take this into consideration when testing it.
When we have tested a piece of electrical equipment, there are two different outcomes:
The good news is that you can't fail a PAT test as such. If individual pieces of electrical equipment fail the inspection procedure, they will be labelled and 'quarantined' so they can't be used.
Electrical equipment can fail a PAT test for several different reasons, including:
In certain situations, the engineer will be able to repair the electrical equipment. For example, if the equipment has the wrong fuse, they can replace it with the right one and retest the electrical equipment there and then to see if it passes.
If individual pieces of electrical equipment fail inspection, we will let you know. You will then be able to get the electrical equipment replaced or arrange for someone to come in and repair the fault for you.
When your testing is complete, we will send you a PAT testing certificate (sometimes referred to as an 'electrical certificate of compliance' that comes in two parts.
The first part of the certificate of compliance looks like this. This is a summary of your testing, which shows that the electrical equipment that was tested on your premises is safe.
The PAT test certificate will include the address that the electrical equipment testing took place at and how long the certification is valid.
The PAT test certificate will also have an authorised signature from the company that carried out the testing.
The second part of the certificate lists the electrical equipment that has been checked, broken down by room or area.
At Hawkesworth, we provide photos of what has failed inspection so you can see for yourself why any electrical equipment is no longer compliant. For example, this photo of a plug that failed as the cable had melted.
Many of our customers find the photos useful as they can use them to train their staff how to look out for dangerous electrical equipment in the future!
Our PAT testing certificate has an expiry date, based on the recommended retest date in the report.
How long the certificate is valid for depends on what is being tested and the environment it is tested in. For example, heavy-duty manufacturing electrical equipment in a busy factory will need re-testing sooner than IT equipment in an office.
Bear in mind that because PAT testing is not a legal requirement, you do not have to have your next round of testing completed by the expiry date on the certificate. This is a recommendation from the engineer who carried out your testing.
This certificate shows your business is compliant with regulations including the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Electricity at Work Regulations (1989).
There isn't a legal requirement to keep records of PAT testing or label electrical equipment. However, it can be very useful for the following reasons
The honest answer... it depends!
PAT tests are priced per unit. Anything with its own mains supply is counted as a unit. For example, if you have a computer with two monitors, it would be counted as three separate units to be tested.
When you contact your PAT tester, let them know roughly how many units need to be tested. If you're not sure, forward them a copy of your last PAT testing report or asset list if you have one.
We offer competitive rates so if you are interested in a free no-obligation quote, get in touch with us today.
Electrical equipment does not last forever. Old and malfunctioning electrical equipment not only takes longer to work, but can be dangerous too.
One in eight house fires is caused by faulty electrical equipment, so it is important to look for signs that your appliances may start to cause problems.
Although many electrical appliances get the odd scratch and dent, cracked casing can cause an issue.
Cracked casing can expose the electrical wires/components in an appliance, increasing the risk of electric shock and fire damage. It can also expose dangerous working parts; for example, if you have a fan and the casing exposes the blades.
Once, we had to fail a microwave that the door had been pulled clean off of!
Cords and cables get damaged over time. Extreme temperatures, tugging, pulling and friction all cause tears, cracking and melting.
Damaged cords mean the wires inside the cord are exposed, increasing the risk of electric shock and fire.
If this is the case, the cable or the appliance will need to be replaced.
Why damaged electrical cords and cables need to be replaced
The thud of the washing machine, the ping of the microwave… all electrical appliances make noises as they carry out day-to-day tasks.
However, if you hear an unusual sound that wasn’t there before or is louder than normal, it could be a sign you need to replace your electrical equipment.
If you hear a buzzing, hissing or humming sound coming from the plug or appliance, this could indicate an electrical problem. Unplug the electrical equipment at the mains and don’t use it until you get it checked out.
Is there an unusual smell in the home or office that won’t go away? This may mean there is an issue with your electrical equipment and it may be time to replace it.
If you catch a burnt plastic or fishy smell (this smell comes from the heat resistant chemicals used), this may mean something is overheating. Get in touch with an electrician straight away who will be able to find out where the smell is coming from.
If you’ve spotted that the lights flicker, blink and dim on your electrical equipment, it could be a sign it needs replacing.
Flickering and blinking lights may mean your appliance is trying to use more electrical current than it can handle. Alternatively, there may be loose connections that could cause a fire risk.
If your electrical equipment feels warm when you touch it, this could mean there is an issue.
The wiring in your appliance could be failing, generating heat that could pose a fire risk.
If you get a nasty shock when you open your electricity bill, it may mean your electrical equipment is faulty.
Damaged electrical equipment needs to consume more electricity to function, resulting in a higher than normal bill.
Like a car, when your electrical equipment becomes uneconomical to repair, it’s probably time to replace it.
Older electrical equipment relies on obsolete and hard-to-find parts, meaning it can be costly to keep it functional.
Contact us today to find out how we can help you be compliant when it comes to electrical equipment.
Next blog: A guide to EICR for landlords