What Appliances Need PAT Testing? The Full UK List (2026)

The simple answer: any mains-powered electrical appliance used in a workplace, rental property or public premises is potentially in scope for PAT testing. The slightly more complicated answer is that the type of test, the frequency of testing and even whether testing applies at all depends on what the appliance is, how it's classed and how it's used.

This guide gives you the full picture — what needs testing, what doesn't, and the rule behind each category. By the end, you'll be able to walk around your premises and confidently identify what's in scope and what isn't.

The basic rule

Include electrical equipment that could cause danger in a suitable maintenance system. This can involve user checks, formal visual inspection and, where appropriate, electrical testing. Not every item needs the same instrument test or the same interval.

HSE’s FAQ explains the distinction. Fixed equipment is not exempt from maintenance simply because it has no plug.

What's in scope: the full list

Below is a categorised list of appliance types that fall under PAT testing requirements. Within each category, individual frequency depends on the environment and class — see our PAT testing frequency guide for the specific intervals.

Kitchen and break-room appliances

• Kettles
• Toasters
• Microwaves
• Fridges and freezers (small/under-counter and full-size)
• Dishwashers (where plug-in)
• Coffee machines
• Water dispensers
• Sandwich toasters and panini grills
• Slow cookers and rice cookers
• Vending machines

These are typically Class 1 appliances (the metal casing relies on an earth connection for protection). Kitchen environments mean cables get heat-stressed and casings get knocked, so testing frequency is at the higher end for the environment.

IT and office equipment

• Desktop PCs and monitors
• Laptops and laptop chargers (the charger is what gets tested, not the laptop)
• Printers and photocopiers
• Scanners
• Phone chargers and tablet chargers
• Desk fans and small heaters
• Desk lamps
• Shredders
• Projectors
• Server room equipment

We have a dedicated guide for this category — see PAT testing for IT and computer equipment. IT equipment generally sits in a lower-risk category with longer testing intervals.

Cleaning equipment

• Vacuum cleaners
• Floor polishers and scrubbers
• Carpet cleaners
• Pressure washers
• Steam cleaners

Cleaning equipment is dragged around constantly, has the cable yanked, and gets exposed to moisture. It's typically the highest-failure-rate category in any given workplace.

Power tools and workshop equipment

• Drills, sanders, grinders (corded)
• Saws (circular, jigsaw, mitre)
• Soldering irons
• Workshop lighting and inspection lamps
• Bench grinders
• Battery chargers for cordless tools
• 110V site equipment

Power tools used on construction sites have particularly tight testing intervals (3 months for handheld tools). Our PAT testing frequency table has the specifics for site work.

Heating and ventilation appliances

• Plug-in fan heaters and convector heaters
• Oil-filled radiators
• Air conditioners (portable units)
• Dehumidifiers
• Fan coolers
• Fixed wall-mounted heaters (where they have a plug — see "fixed appliances" below)

Higher-wattage appliances put more stress on plugs and sockets. Heaters in particular are worth checking visually before each season they're brought back into use.

Extension leads, multi-way adapters and IEC leads

• All extension leads (single, multi-socket, reel-type)
• 4-way and 6-way adapters
• IEC kettle leads (the detachable lead from PCs, monitors, kettles)
• Travel adapters in commercial use

Extension leads are one of the highest-risk categories — heavily used, regularly damaged, and frequently overloaded. They have their own specific test sequence and warrant their own deep-dive in our extension lead PAT testing post.

Fixed appliances

• Wall-mounted hand dryers
• Hard-wired wall heaters
• Fixed extractor fans
• Built-in commercial cooking equipment
• Fixed water heaters

"Fixed" doesn't mean exempt. It means the appliance is bolted to a structure or hard-wired into the supply rather than plugged in. Fixed appliances are still tested, but the procedure is slightly different (and the testing intervals are usually longer). Our fixed vs portable appliances guide covers the distinction in detail.

3-phase equipment

• Industrial machinery
• Commercial cooking equipment using 3-phase supply
• Some larger HVAC plant
• Industrial laundry equipment

3-phase appliances need a tester capable of handling them, and often need a competent tester who's specifically experienced with industrial equipment. Many standard PAT testers don't handle 3-phase.

Hire and event equipment

• Stage and event lighting
• PA systems and audio equipment
• Marquee heaters and fans
• Hired power tools and machinery
• Catering equipment for events

Equipment hired out to customers should be inspected and tested before every hire — not just at the standard interval. This applies whether you're a hire company or a venue providing hired-in kit.

What's NOT in scope for PAT testing

A few categories of equipment fall outside PAT testing entirely:

Hardwired fixed installations

The electrical installation needs its own suitable inspection and maintenance. Permanently connected appliances also need equipment-specific maintenance; agree what is included in an installation inspection and what needs separate work. Do not disconnect fixed wiring as part of an ordinary plug-in test.

Battery-only equipment

Equipment that's permanently battery-powered and never connected to the mains — like a cordless screwdriver running off a battery pack — isn't PAT tested. The charger for that battery is tested, but the tool itself isn't.

Equipment with no detachable mains lead used at low voltage

Some specialist equipment (signal boosters, PoE-powered devices) doesn't need PAT testing because it isn't directly mains-connected.

Brand-new equipment (initial check only)

New equipment supplied in safe condition normally needs a simple visual check for damage rather than routine instrument testing. Enter it into the appropriate maintenance system and assess any damage, modification or other concern before use.

Personal home appliances used at home

If you own and use the appliance personally in your own home, it's not in scope. The exceptions are home-based businesses, home offices used by employees, and any rental arrangement — see our domestic PAT testing guide.

How to know whether an appliance is Class 1 or Class 2

Identify the appliance from its rating plate, manufacturer instructions and construction. A metal case, plastic case or three-pin plug alone does not establish its protection class. If the class or suitable procedure is uncertain, stop and seek manufacturer information or a competent specialist; do not guess or default to Class I.

What about employees' own equipment brought to work?

This trips up many businesses. If an employee brings their own kettle, fan, charger or radio into the workplace and uses it there, it falls under your duty of care. You're responsible for ensuring it's safe — which in practice means it needs to be PAT tested alongside your own equipment.

Cover employee-owned equipment used for work in the maintenance policy, selecting checks according to risk. Remove unsafe equipment from use; the lack of a PAT label alone is not proof of danger.

What does each appliance get tested for?

The competent tester must select a procedure suitable for that specific appliance and test instrument. Test current, voltage, connection points and acceptance limits depend on the equipment and manufacturer instructions. A single 25 A earth test, 500 V insulation test or blanket resistance limit is not suitable for every item. Do not energise equipment with a known defect, or repeatedly test it until a passing result appears.

The condition, protection class, supply arrangement and manufacturer instructions determine the appropriate procedure. Record items needing specialist assessment separately.

Frequently asked questions

Does a kettle need PAT testing?

In a workplace, rental property or public premises — yes. Kettles are typically Class 1 appliances and one of the most commonly tested items. In a private home for personal use, no.

Do laptops need PAT testing?

Check the charger and supply arrangement for the actual model rather than assuming every charger is Class II. The associated device still needs appropriate condition and battery checks.

Do fridges need PAT testing?

Include workplace or supplied rental fridges in the maintenance plan. Check the actual protection class and manufacturer instructions and set inspections/tests according to risk rather than applying one kitchen-appliance interval.

Do extension leads need PAT testing?

Yes — and arguably more than most other items, because they're moved, knocked and overloaded constantly. They have their own test sequence and tighter inspection intervals than most stationary kit. See our extension lead PAT testing post for the detail.

Do new appliances need PAT testing before use?

New equipment supplied in safe condition normally needs a simple visual check for damage rather than routine instrument testing. Enter it into the appropriate maintenance system and assess any damage, modification or other concern before use.

Do battery-powered tools need PAT testing?

Check the charger and supply arrangement for the actual model rather than assuming every charger is Class II. The associated device still needs appropriate condition and battery checks.

In-house testing makes the inventory easier

For businesses with a wide mix of appliance types, the standard problem with outsourcing is that the contractor tests what's accessible on the day and may miss items in storage, in cupboards or temporarily moved. An in-house tester knows the building, knows what's there, and can build an accurate, complete asset register over time.

A PAT course can help develop inspection and testing skills. Competence also depends on practical ability, experience, the equipment involved and understanding the results. Successful learners on our classroom course receive a Skills Training Group certificate within one working day. Check the course scope and arrange additional training or specialist assistance for work outside it. See the course details and available locations.

The takeaway

If it's mains-powered, plug-connected, used in a workplace or rental, it's in scope for PAT testing. The question isn't whether but how often and what tests. Build a complete asset register, classify each item, set the right interval based on environment and class, and the rest is just running the tests.