PAT Testing vs EICR: Which One Do You Actually Need?

PAT testing and EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) testing are often confused as the same thing. They're not. They test different things, follow different standards, and have different purposes.

This post walks through what each one is, who needs each one, and why you can't use one to replace the other.

The headline difference

PAT testing = testing portable electrical appliances to make sure they're safe to use

EICR = testing the fixed electrical installation (wiring, fuse boxes, circuits) to make sure the whole system is safe

Think of it this way: PAT tests the plug-in stuff. EICR tests the built-in stuff.

What is PAT testing?

PAT = Portable Appliance Testing.

It's the process of checking electrical appliances to ensure they're safe. The test involves:

• Visual inspection: looking for damage, frayed cables, dodgy plugs, overheating marks
• Touch test: checking the plug feels secure, casing isn't cracked
• Electrical test: confirming earthing is correct and insulation is sound

If the appliance passes, it gets a label. If it fails, it's tagged as unsafe and removed from service.

PAT applies to:

• Computers and monitors
• Kettles, microwaves, coffee machines
• Printer and photocopiers
• Lamps and lighting
• Heaters and fans
• Anything with a plug that you move around

PAT does NOT apply to:

• Fixed wiring in the walls
• Permanently installed equipment (ovens, cookers, built-in chargers)
• The electrical system itself (fuse box, circuits, earthing to ground)

Standards:

• BS 7909 for the practical testing procedure
• IEC 61010 for test equipment
• Health & Safety at Work Act 1974
• Electricity at Work Regulations 1989

Frequency: Risk-based, but typically 1-4 years for most business equipment, more frequent for high-risk settings (schools, construction).

What is EICR testing?

EICR = Electrical Installation Condition Report.

It's a detailed inspection of the entire electrical installation in a building. The test involves:

• Visual inspection of the wiring, plugs, switches, fuse box, earthing arrangements
• Functional testing of circuits to confirm they work correctly
• Continuity testing (checking the path of electrical current is unbroken)
• Insulation resistance testing (checking wiring isn't degraded)
• Earth fault loop impedance testing (checking the earth wire is protecting against faults properly)
• Testing RCDs (residual current devices) that should cut power in emergencies

If the installation passes, the electrical system is certified as safe. If it fails, a report lists the faults and recommendations for correction.

EICR applies to:

• The fixed wiring throughout the building
• The fuse box / consumer unit
• Circuit breakers and RCDs
• Earthing system
• Socket outlets, switches, and fixed appliances
• The whole building's electrical system

EICR does NOT apply to:

• Portable appliances (that's PAT)
• Equipment the person brought in (like a laptop)
• Plug-in devices

Standards:

• BS 7671 (IET Wiring Regulations)
• Building Regulations Part P
• Health & Safety at Work Act 1974

Frequency: 1-5 years depending on building type and age. Commercial properties typically every 1-3 years, domestic typically every 10 years.

Head-to-head comparison

Do you need both? Or just one?

The answer depends on what you are:

If you're a business or organisation

You need BOTH.

EICR is your baseline: it proves the building's electrical system is safe.

PAT is the ongoing maintenance: it proves the items people use every day are safe.

EICR might say "the wiring is fine", but if a laptop left in a cupboard for years develops a fault, PAT catches it. If PAT passes all the appliances but the circuit breaker is corroded, EICR catches that.

You need both.

If you're a landlord (residential property)

This has changed. As of April 2020, the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector Regulations 2016 requires:

• EICR every 5 years (sometimes faster if remedial work is needed)
• A qualified electrician must carry out the test
• Tenants must be given a copy of the report

PAT is not legally required for landlords, BUT:

• If you provide appliances (fridge, cooker, washing machine), those should be tested for electrical safety. PAT covers portable items the tenant brings.
• Insurance companies may ask for evidence of PAT testing on provided appliances.

So: EICR is mandatory. PAT is advisable for landlord-provided appliances.

If you're a school or education setting

You need BOTH and take it seriously.

EICR is required by law (HSE guidance, Building Regulations). PAT is required because:

• Schools have high equipment turnover (students use lots of items)
• Damage and fault risk is high (dropping, misuse)
• Liability risk is high (duty of care to children)

Most schools EICR every 1-3 years and PAT annually or biennial (every 2 years).

If you're a healthcare facility, hotel, or hospitality

You need BOTH regularly.

EICR every 1-2 years, PAT typically annually or biennial.

Insurers often require both and specify the frequency.

If you're a homeowner

EICR every 10 years (advisory, not mandatory, but smart). PAT is not really applicable unless you've got faulty equipment.

Why you can't use PAT to replace EICR (or vice versa)

Someone will ask: "Can't we just PAT test everything and skip the EICR?"

No. Here's why:

PAT tests items. EICR tests the system. An appliance can pass PAT (it's electrically safe in isolation) but the circuit it's plugged into could be dangerous (bad earthing, corroded wiring, tripped RCDs). Conversely, the building system could pass EICR but a portable appliance plugged in could be faulty.

You need both for complete safety.

Frequency recommendations

Standard business setting:

• EICR: Every 3 years
• PAT: Every 1-2 years

High-risk setting (school, construction, healthcare):

• EICR: Every 1-2 years
• PAT: Annually

Residential (landlord property):

• EICR: Every 5 years (mandatory)
• PAT: Biennial or annual for landlord-provided appliances

Common confusion

"Is EICR the same as a building safety certificate?"

No. EICR tests electrical safety. A building safety certificate (or fire safety certificate in some contexts) is different. You might need both.

"Do I need EICR if I just had PAT testing done?"

No. They test different things. EICR requires a qualified electrician and tests the fixed wiring. PAT tests portable items.

"Can the same person do both?"

Not usually. PAT testers are trained on a one-day course. EICR requires formal electrician qualifications (2-3 years training). Some electricians do both, but a PAT tester cannot do EICR.

"Which is more important?"

Both are important, but EICR is more fundamental: it tests whether the building's electrical system is safe. If EICR fails, nothing plugged into it is truly safe, no matter how good your PAT is. So EICR first, then PAT on top.

Frequently asked questions

Do I legally need PAT testing?

Yes, if you're operating a business or organisation. HASWA 1974 and PUWER 1998 require you to ensure all equipment is safe. PAT is your evidence of due diligence.

No requirement for residential homeowners unless you're running a business from home.

Do I legally need EICR?

Mandatory for landlords (every 5 years). For business and organisations, it's required by HSE guidance and Building Regulations. Homeowners: not mandatory, but advisable every 10 years.

Can the same person do PAT and EICR?

Some qualified electricians do both, but they need two different qualifications. A one-day PAT tester cannot do EICR. An electrician without formal 2377 PAT training shouldn't do PAT testing in a business context.

How much do they each cost?

PAT: £1-2 per appliance, £40-80 minimum call-out. EICR: £300-800 depending on building size and complexity.

Can EICR replace PAT?

No. EICR tests the fixed system, PAT tests portable items. You need both for complete safety.

What's the difference between a C1, C2, and C3 on an EICR?

C1 = Immediate danger, disconnect and repair now. C2 = Potentially dangerous, fix soon. C3 = Minor issue, fix when convenient.

The takeaway

PAT and EICR test different things and you typically need both. PAT tests the plug-in equipment (appliances). EICR tests the building's fixed electrical system. They complement each other; one doesn't replace the other. Get both done, understand what each one covers, and schedule them appropriately for your building type.