What Is PAT Testing? The Complete UK Guide for 2026

PAT testing is one of those terms nearly every UK business owner, landlord and facilities manager has come across — but few can explain with any confidence. If you've been told your workplace, rental property or premises needs it, and you're not entirely sure what "it" is, this guide is for you.

Below, we'll cover what PAT testing actually is, what it involves, who legally needs it, how often it has to be done and who's qualified to carry it out. By the end, you'll have a clear picture of where you stand — and what (if anything) you need to do next.

What is PAT testing, in plain English?

PAT testing stands for Portable Appliance Testing. It's a process of checking that electrical appliances are safe to use, combining a visual inspection with a series of electrical tests.

The word "portable" is slightly misleading. In PAT testing terms, a portable appliance is any piece of electrical equipment that plugs into a standard socket and can reasonably be moved — so a kettle, a laptop charger, a floor lamp, a microwave, even a fridge-freezer. It doesn't have to be lightweight. If it has a plug on the end and it's not permanently wired into the building's fixed electrical system, it generally falls under the PAT testing umbrella.

The purpose is straightforward: electrical appliances develop faults over time. Cables fray, plugs crack, earth connections work loose, insulation breaks down. A PAT test catches those faults before they cause a shock, a fire or a workplace injury — and gives the person responsible for the premises documented proof that the appliance was safe on the date it was tested.

What does PAT testing actually involve?

A common assumption is that PAT testing is just about plugging a device into a testing machine and waiting for a green light. In reality, the electrical tests are only one half of the process — and often not the half that catches the most faults.

Visual inspection

Every PAT test begins with a formal visual inspection. The tester checks the appliance, the plug, the cable and any accessories for signs of damage or wear. That includes:

• Cracks, scorch marks or melting on the plug or casing
• Frayed, cut or damaged cables
• Bent or bare pins on the plug
• Signs of overheating (discolouration around the plug or socket)
• Incorrect fuse ratings
• Loose screws inside the plug (where rewireable plugs are used)
• Appropriate use — for example, a desktop PC in a damp workshop would be flagged as unsuitable, even if the appliance itself tests perfectly

Visual inspection is an essential part of the process and can reveal defects that an electrical test will not detect. Users should know how to spot and report visible damage; combined inspection/testing needs additional competence.

Electrical testing

A competent person selects appropriate measurements for the appliance, its protection arrangements and the instrument. These may assess the protective-earth path, insulation or leakage where relevant. A standard button sequence is not suitable for every appliance.

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.

Labelling and record-keeping

Once tested, the appliance gets a pass (or fail) label showing the date of the test, the next test date (where appropriate) and the tester's identifier. The results are recorded — either on paper, in a spreadsheet or (most commonly today) in PAT testing software. We cover documentation in detail in our PAT testing certificate guide and record sheet template post.

The name has officially changed — here's why

The IET Code of Practice uses the term “in-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment”. This describes the wider maintenance activity more accurately than the familiar abbreviation PAT. It is not a new legal name that turns every appliance into an annual testing requirement.

Who needs PAT testing?

PAT testing doesn't apply to everyone. Broadly, it applies to anyone with a legal duty of care over other people in relation to electrical equipment. That includes:

• Employers. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require employers to keep electrical equipment safe. PAT testing is the standard way most UK employers demonstrate they've done this.
• Landlords. All landlords — including those letting HMOs and holiday lets — have duties under various housing and safety regulations. We cover this in detail in our dedicated PAT testing for landlords guide.
• The self-employed, where their work could affect other people.
• Organisations responsible for public premises, including schools, colleges, hotels, shops and leisure centres.

What about your own home? Homeowners are not required to PAT test their personal appliances. The regulations cover appliances used at work or in rented accommodation, not those used privately by the person who owns them. We explore the exceptions — and when home testing genuinely makes sense — in our domestic PAT testing post.

General workplace rules require safe electrical maintenance without prescribing an annual PAT test for every item. Specific rental, licensing or contractual rules can impose additional duties; see our legal-requirements guide.

Who can carry out PAT testing?

The person needs the knowledge and practical ability to do the work safely and understand the results. HSE distinguishes visual inspection from combined inspection and testing. A course supports that competence but does not qualify someone for every type of electrical work.

How often should PAT testing be done?

Choose inspection and test intervals from the equipment, environment, use, manufacturer instructions and previous findings. There is no universal annual PAT interval. HSE explains the risk-based approach.

The IET removed the old frequency table from the fifth edition of its Code of Practice; it did not replace it with a new set of fixed intervals. Read the IET explanation.

What appliances need PAT testing?

Mains equipment belongs in the maintenance inventory, but the checks needed depend on risk and construction. Fixed and specialist equipment may need different expertise from ordinary portable appliances.

Certain categories have their own quirks — IT equipment, extension leads, fixed appliances and brand-new equipment all have specific considerations. You'll find the complete breakdown in our full list of appliances that need PAT testing.

What equipment is used for PAT testing?

PAT testing requires a dedicated PAT tester — a specialised piece of equipment that carries out the electrical tests automatically and either displays or stores the results. Entry-level pass/fail testers start at around £200; advanced models with downloadable results, barcode scanners and built-in printers run to £2,000 or more.

Alongside the tester itself, you'll need pass/fail labels, a means of recording results (software or spreadsheets) and — for professional testers — a calibration certificate proving your equipment gives accurate readings. Our PAT testing equipment guide walks through what to look for when choosing a tester.

What does PAT testing cost?

Prices vary significantly depending on where you are in the UK, how many items you're testing and whether you're using an in-house tester or an external contractor. As a rough guide, external PAT testing in the UK typically costs £1 to £2 per item, with a minimum call-out fee of £40 to £80. Testing in-house works out far cheaper over the long run once you've trained a staff member and bought a tester — usually paying for itself within one or two rounds of testing. We break down the sums in our PAT testing cost guide.

Common PAT testing misconceptions

A few myths come up so often that they're worth addressing head-on:

"PAT testing is legally required every year." It isn't. Frequency is risk-based, and many appliances in low-risk environments don't need annual testing at all.

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.

"Every single plug needs testing." Not necessarily — some items (like permanently connected fixed appliances) are handled differently, and very low-risk items sometimes only need visual checks.

"PAT testing certificates expire." The certificate itself doesn't expire in any legal sense — it's a record of a test carried out on a specific date. What expires is the validity of that test for your safety purposes, which depends on your testing frequency, not a universal sell-by date.

"New appliances don't need PAT testing." Brand-new equipment generally only needs a visual inspection before first use, not a full electrical test. But "generally" is doing heavy lifting in that sentence — our post on PAT testing new appliances covers the exceptions.

Frequently asked questions

What does PAT stand for?

Portable Appliance Testing. The IET Code of Practice uses the broader description “in-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment”.

Is PAT testing legally required?

There's no single UK law that says it is. But the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 require you to keep electrical equipment safe, and PAT testing is the standard way to do that. See our full guide.

How long does a PAT test take?

For a standard portable appliance, the full test (visual inspection plus electrical tests) takes around one to three minutes. A competent tester can comfortably work through 80–150 items in an average working day.

Can I PAT test my own appliances?

Choose work that matches your actual training and practical ability. Check any customer-specific qualification requirement, and refer specialist tasks beyond your competence.

Does a fridge need PAT testing?

If it's in a workplace, rental property or public building: yes, at whatever frequency is appropriate for its risk level. If it's your own home fridge: no.

Is PAT testing the same as an EICR?

No. A PAT test checks individual appliances; an EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) checks the fixed electrical installation of a building — the wiring, consumer unit and circuits. We compare them in detail in our post on PAT testing vs EICR.

Getting started with PAT testing

List the equipment, assess how it is used and choose a suitable maintenance approach. Compare in-house work and contractor support using the actual scope, time and competence needed.

Choose work that matches your actual training and practical ability. Check any customer-specific qualification requirement, and refer specialist tasks beyond your competence.