The short answer: PAT testing is not a legal requirement — but you do have a legal duty to keep electrical equipment safe. Whether you need PAT testing depends on your situation, the equipment you have, and the risk environment you operate in.
What best describes your situation?
Let's work out if you need PAT testing.
The legal position explained
Here's what often confuses people: there is no law that specifically requires PAT testing.
You won't find legislation that says "you must PAT test your equipment every 12 months" or even mentions PAT testing by name.
What the law actually requires is that you maintain electrical equipment to prevent danger. The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 (Regulation 4) state that electrical equipment must be "constructed or maintained" to prevent danger, so far as is reasonably practicable.
What this means in practice
If you're responsible for electrical equipment in a workplace or any setting where people could be harmed, you must:
- Ensure electrical equipment is suitable for its intended use
- Maintain equipment in a safe condition
- Prevent danger from arising through deterioration, damage, or misuse
- Have a system for identifying and addressing faults before they become dangerous
PAT testing is one way — often the most practical and defensible way — of demonstrating you're meeting these duties. But it's the outcome (safe equipment) that matters legally, not the specific process.
Just because PAT testing isn't a named legal requirement doesn't mean you can ignore electrical safety. If someone is injured due to faulty equipment you failed to maintain, you can face prosecution under health and safety law — regardless of whether you had "done PAT testing" or not.
Who needs PAT testing?
Employers and businesses
You need a testing regime if:
- You employ people who use electrical equipment
- You provide electrical equipment for employees to use
- Members of the public use or could come into contact with your electrical equipment
- You operate in commercial premises (offices, shops, factories, warehouses, etc.)
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 create duties to maintain safe equipment. PAT testing, combined with visual inspections and user checks, is the standard way businesses meet these duties.
What you need to do:
- Conduct a risk assessment of your electrical equipment
- Establish a maintenance regime based on that assessment
- Implement a combination of user checks, visual inspections, and formal testing
- Keep records demonstrating your maintenance activities
- Review and adjust your regime based on experience
The frequency of testing should be based on risk, not arbitrary timescales. A desktop computer in a low-risk office might only need testing every 2-4 years, while power tools on a construction site need testing every 3 months.
Landlords
The position for landlords is more nuanced and depends on the type of tenancy.
Private residential landlords (England, Scotland, Wales):
- No specific legal requirement to PAT test appliances
- However, you have a general duty of care to ensure anything you provide is safe
- If you provide appliances (white goods, TVs, microwaves, etc.), testing demonstrates due diligence
- Some insurance policies may require evidence of electrical safety maintenance
Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs):
- Local authority licensing conditions typically require PAT testing
- Usually required annually or as specified in the license conditions
- Covers all appliances you provide in common areas and individual rooms
Commercial and business lettings:
- Landlords should ensure appliances provided are tested and maintained
- Testing frequency depends on the equipment type and usage
- Business tenants are responsible for their own equipment
While you're not legally required to PAT test appliances in standard residential tenancies, many landlords choose to do so annually for peace of mind and to demonstrate they've taken reasonable steps to ensure safety. If you don't test, make sure you at least visually inspect appliances for damage before each tenancy.
Charities and community groups
Charities, voluntary organizations, and community groups have the same health and safety duties as commercial businesses.
You need a testing regime if:
- You employ staff or engage volunteers who use electrical equipment
- You provide equipment in community spaces, village halls, or charity premises
- Members of the public use your electrical equipment
- You operate from premises you own, lease, or manage
Common scenarios requiring PAT testing:
- Community centers and village halls
- Charity shops
- Youth clubs and sports clubs
- Churches and places of worship (for portable equipment)
- Hospices and care facilities
- Educational charities
- Scout groups, Guides, and youth organizations
Many charities underestimate their electrical safety duties. Having volunteers rather than employees doesn't reduce your obligation to maintain safe equipment.
Care homes and healthcare settings
Enhanced requirements apply:
- Vulnerable service users increase the risk and therefore the duty of care
- Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulations expect regular maintenance and testing
- More frequent testing is typically needed due to heavy equipment use
- Testing should cover both fixed equipment and portable appliances
- Detailed records are essential for inspections
Typical testing frequencies in care settings:
- Equipment in resident/patient areas: Every 6-12 months
- Kitchen equipment: Every 6 months
- Maintenance equipment: Every 3-6 months
- Equipment used by residents (where provided): Every 6 months
Schools and education settings
Legal obligations:
- Schools are workplaces and must comply with Electricity at Work Regulations
- Department for Education guidance recommends regular testing and inspection
- Equipment used by students requires particularly careful maintenance
- Science lab equipment may need more frequent testing
Recommended approach:
- Annual testing for most portable equipment
- Termly visual inspections
- Student-accessible equipment tested before each academic year
- Records maintained for inspections and audits
When you don't need PAT testing
PAT testing is not required in the following situations:
Owner-occupied domestic homes:
- No legal requirement for PAT testing in your own home
- Regular visual checks are sensible but not mandatory
- Consider testing if you have vulnerable occupants or high-value equipment
Equipment that's not portable electrical appliances:
- Fixed electrical installations (covered by EICR/fixed wire testing instead)
- Gas appliances
- Battery-powered equipment with no mains charging connection
- Equipment permanently wired into the building
Very low-risk environments where you can demonstrate alternative controls:
- Small-scale, low-risk activities where visual checks are sufficient
- Must be supported by a documented risk assessment
- History must show no faults or incidents
- Users must be competent to spot and report faults
Even if you're not legally required to PAT test, it might still be a good idea. Insurance requirements, contracts with clients, lease conditions, or simply peace of mind might make testing worthwhile.
Understanding the three levels of checking
Rather than thinking "PAT testing or nothing," it's more helpful to understand that electrical safety involves three levels of checking:
1. User checks (before each use or daily)
Who does it: Anyone using the equipment What they do: Quick visual check for obvious faults What to look for:
- Damaged plugs, sockets, or cables
- Signs of overheating (burn marks, discoloration)
- Damaged casing or loose parts
- Anything that looks or smells wrong
Takes: 5-10 seconds per item Frequency: Before each use, or at least daily for regularly-used equipment
2. Formal visual inspection (monthly to annually)
Who does it: A competent person (trained staff member) What they do: Thorough visual examination What to check:
- Cable condition along its entire length
- Plug condition and correct fuse rating
- Signs of internal damage or overheating
- Appropriate repairs or modifications
- Equipment suitability for the environment
- Condition of any protective devices
Takes: 1-2 minutes per item Frequency: Monthly to annually depending on risk
3. Combined inspection and electrical testing (3 months to 4 years)
Who does it: Competent person with PAT testing equipment What they do: Visual inspection plus electrical tests Tests performed:
- Earth continuity (Class I equipment)
- Insulation resistance
- Earth leakage
- Polarity
- Functional checks
Takes: 2-5 minutes per item Frequency: Every 3 months to 4 years depending on risk assessment
Visual Inspection vs Full PAT Testing
Visual Inspection Only
- •Finds 90% of dangerous faults
- •Can be done by any trained person
- •No specialist equipment needed
- •Very quick and low-cost
- •Suitable for low-risk environments
- •Should be done much more frequently
Visual + Electrical Testing
Recommended- •Finds hidden electrical faults
- •More thorough safety assurance
- •Requires PAT testing equipment
- •Creates verifiable test records
- •Demonstrates robust compliance
- •Essential for higher-risk environments
Bottom line: For most workplaces, the best approach is frequent user checks and visual inspections, combined with periodic electrical testing based on equipment type and risk. This provides comprehensive safety without unnecessary testing.
Class I vs Class II equipment: Why it matters
Understanding equipment classes helps you determine appropriate testing regimes.
Class I equipment (earthed)
Equipment that relies on earthing for protection against electric shock.
Characteristics:
- Has a three-pin plug with earth connection
- Metal casing that could become live if a fault occurs
- Earth wire connects casing to ground for safety
Examples:
- Kettles, toasters, microwaves
- Desktop computers and monitors
- Power tools (most types)
- Photocopiers and printers
- Washing machines, tumble dryers, fridges
- Extension leads with metal components
Testing requirements:
- Earth continuity test is essential
- Higher risk if earth connection fails
- Regular testing more important
Class II equipment (double insulated)
Equipment that uses double or reinforced insulation instead of earthing.
Characteristics:
- Usually has a two-pin plug (or three-pin with plastic earth)
- Double square symbol (⧈) on the rating plate
- Two layers of insulation instead of earthing
- No metal parts that could become live
Examples:
- Laptop and phone chargers
- Many vacuum cleaners
- Some power tools
- DVD players and game consoles
- Hair dryers and straighteners
- Some kitchen appliances
Testing requirements:
- Cannot test earth continuity (there isn't one)
- Insulation resistance testing is crucial
- Generally lower risk than Class I
- Still requires regular inspection for damage to the double insulation
Class I equipment generally requires more frequent testing because the safety relies on the earth connection working properly. If that connection fails (loose wire, damaged cable), the equipment becomes dangerous. Class II equipment is generally lower risk but still needs testing to ensure the double insulation is intact.
How often should you test?
There's no one-size-fits-all answer. Testing frequency should be based on a risk assessment considering:
Type of equipment:
- Handheld equipment moved frequently: Test more often
- Fixed-position equipment rarely moved: Test less often
- Equipment with heating elements: Test more often
- Low-power IT equipment: Test less often
Environment:
- Harsh environments (construction sites, outdoor use, wet areas): Test more often
- Controlled office environments: Test less often
- Public areas with untrained users: Test more often
- Professional environments with trained staff: Test less often
User competence:
- Trained users who spot and report faults: Test less often
- Untrained or vulnerable users: Test more often
- Equipment available to the public: Test more often
Historical fault rates:
- Frequent faults found in previous tests: Test more often
- Consistently passing tests with no faults: Consider testing less often
- New equipment with unknown history: Test sooner initially, then adjust
Typical PAT Testing Frequencies by Risk Level
Highest risk: harsh environment, heavy use, frequent movement, potential for damage
High risk: equipment moved regularly, moderate environmental conditions, heavy use
Medium-high risk: untrained users, potential misuse, higher duty of care
Medium risk: equipment moved occasionally, stable environment, trained users
Low risk: equipment rarely moved, protected environment, trained users, good history
Establish safety baseline before bringing into service
Always test after repair involving electrical components before returning to service
HSE guidance on testing frequencies
The Health and Safety Executive provides the following guidance in their document "Maintaining portable electrical equipment":
Equipment used by the public (hotels, halls of residence, holiday accommodation):
- Formal visual inspection: 6-12 months
- Combined inspection and testing: 1-2 years
Industrial or commercial environment:
- Equipment Class I (e.g., floor cleaners, water heaters): 6-12 months
- Equipment Class II (e.g., battery chargers): 1-2 years
- Cables, leads, and plugs: 6 months to 2 years depending on use
Office and low-risk environments:
- Handheld equipment (e.g., some floor cleaners): 12 months
- IT equipment moved occasionally: 2-4 years
- IT equipment rarely moved: Up to 5 years
These are guidelines, not rules. Your risk assessment may justify different frequencies.
Who can perform PAT testing?
PAT testing must be done by a "competent person" — but what does that actually mean?
Competence requirements
A competent person has sufficient:
- Knowledge — Understanding of electrical safety principles and hazards
- Training — Instruction on inspection techniques and use of testing equipment
- Experience — Practical experience in identifying faults and interpreting results
For visual inspections:
- Basic training on what to look for (a few hours)
- Understanding of common faults
- Ability to recognize damage and unsafe conditions
- Knowledge of when to remove equipment from service
For electrical testing:
- Understanding of equipment classes and test requirements
- Training on how to use PAT testing equipment correctly
- Ability to interpret test results and apply pass/fail criteria
- Knowledge of record-keeping requirements
- Understanding of the limitations of testing
Qualifications and training
While no specific qualifications are legally required, training courses include:
City & Guilds 2377 (PAT Testing):
- The most recognized PAT testing qualification
- Covers inspection and testing of portable appliances
- Includes theory and practical assessment
- Typically 2-3 days
City & Guilds 2377-22 (In-Service Inspection and Testing):
- Focuses specifically on in-service testing
- Updated course covering current regulations
- Theory and practical components
Manufacturer-specific training:
- Training on specific PAT testing equipment
- Usually provided when purchasing equipment
- Covers operation of the specific tester model
IET Code of Practice awareness:
- Understanding the Code of Practice for In-service Inspection and Testing
- Guidance on establishing testing regimes
- Usually combined with practical training
You don't need to be an electrician to perform PAT testing, but you do need to be competent. Many businesses train their own facilities or maintenance staff to carry out testing after appropriate training. For formal assurance and insurance purposes, using a trained and certified tester (whether in-house or external) is advisable.
In-house vs external PAT testing
Should you test in-house or use a contractor?
In-house Testing
- •Lower cost for large equipment inventories
- •Test on your own schedule
- •Build internal competence
- •Immediate response to new equipment
- •Initial investment: £300-£2,000 for equipment
- •Ongoing costs: staff time and refresher training
External Contractor
Recommended- •No equipment investment needed
- •Expert competence guaranteed
- •Contractor insurance covers errors
- •Independent verification
- •Typically £1-£3 per item
- •Minimal internal resource required
Bottom line: For small equipment inventories (under 100 items) or organizations without maintenance staff, using a contractor is usually most practical. For larger organizations with facilities teams, in-house testing after proper training may be more cost-effective and flexible.
Record keeping requirements
Good records are essential — they demonstrate you've met your duty to maintain equipment safely.
What records should include
Equipment details:
- Description of equipment (type, use)
- Manufacturer and model number
- Serial number or unique asset/inventory number
- Location or department
- Equipment class (I, II, or III)
Test and inspection records:
- Date of inspection or test
- Type of check performed (user check, visual inspection, combined inspection and testing)
- Test results (pass/fail)
- Measurements recorded (earth continuity, insulation resistance values)
- Name and signature of person conducting test
- Next inspection/test due date
Fault and action records:
- Description of any defects found
- Risk classification (immediate danger, potentially dangerous, improvement recommended)
- Action taken (repaired, replaced, removed from service)
- Details of repairs carried out
- Date returned to service or disposal date
If you're investigated following an electrical incident, clear records demonstrating regular inspection and testing will be crucial evidence that you met your duty of care. "We do PAT testing" is not enough — you need to prove it with documented records.
Record formats
Paper-based systems:
- Test result sheets or logbooks
- Simple and low-tech
- Easy to implement in small organizations
- Can be time-consuming to manage
- Difficult to search or analyze
- Risk of loss or damage
Spreadsheet systems:
- Excel or similar spreadsheet tracking
- Better than paper for analysis
- Searchable and sortable
- Can set up automatic reminders
- Requires manual entry of data
- Risk of version control issues
Digital PAT testing systems:
- Modern PAT testers with built-in memory
- Barcode or RFID asset tracking
- Bluetooth/WiFi connectivity to apps
- Cloud-based record storage
- Automated reminders for retesting
- Better for medium to large inventories
Specialist compliance software:
- Dedicated electrical safety management systems
- Integration with broader compliance programs
- Advanced reporting and analytics
- Certificate generation
- Higher cost but comprehensive
Alternatives to formal PAT testing
If formal PAT testing seems disproportionate for your situation, consider these alternatives:
Enhanced visual inspection regime
How it works:
- Train staff to perform thorough visual inspections
- Use a checklist to ensure consistency
- Inspect more frequently than you would formally test
- Keep records of inspections
- Remove damaged equipment immediately
Suitable for:
- Very low-risk environments
- Small inventories of simple equipment
- Equipment that's easily visually inspected
- Organizations with limited budgets
Limitations:
- Won't detect hidden electrical faults
- Less defensible if something goes wrong
- Requires well-trained, diligent staff
Replace rather than test
How it works:
- Buy quality equipment from reputable suppliers
- Replace equipment on a regular schedule (e.g., every 3-5 years)
- Perform visual checks but don't formally test
- Remove from service at first sign of damage
Suitable for:
- Inexpensive equipment where replacement is cheaper than testing
- Equipment with limited service life anyway
- Organizations that regularly update equipment
Limitations:
- Can be wasteful if equipment still has useful life
- Doesn't teach staff about electrical safety
- Only works for lower-value items
User responsibility model
How it works:
- Each user is responsible for their own equipment
- Provide training on visual checks and reporting faults
- Create a culture where reporting damage is encouraged
- Managers check equipment is being maintained
- Regular reminders and spot checks
Suitable for:
- Professional environments with trained staff
- Equipment assigned to specific individuals
- Organizations with strong safety culture
Limitations:
- Relies heavily on individual responsibility
- Less suitable for shared equipment
- Harder to demonstrate systematic compliance
Whatever approach you choose, you must be able to demonstrate that it's suitable for your risk profile and that you're actually implementing it consistently. "We just replace things when they break" is not a documented maintenance system and won't protect you if someone is injured.
Common scenarios and recommendations
Scenario 1: Small office (10 staff, 20 items of equipment)
Equipment:
- Desktop computers and monitors (fixed position)
- Printer/copier
- Kettle and microwave in kitchen
- A few phone chargers
Recommended approach:
- User visual checks: Daily
- Formal visual inspection by trained staff: Annually
- Combined inspection and testing: Every 2-3 years for fixed IT equipment, annually for kitchen appliances
- Total annual cost: £60-90 for external contractor, or one-off £400 for DIY equipment plus training
Scenario 2: Retail shop (5 staff, 30 items, equipment used by public)
Equipment:
- Computer till systems
- Display lighting and electrical displays
- Staff room appliances
- Equipment customers might touch or trip over
Recommended approach:
- User visual checks: Weekly
- Formal visual inspection: Every 6 months
- Combined inspection and testing: Annually for all equipment (higher duty of care due to public access)
- Increased frequency for any equipment customers interact with
- Total annual cost: £90-150 external contractor
Scenario 3: Small charity with community hall
Equipment:
- Kitchen equipment (kettle, urn, microwave, fridge)
- Audio/visual equipment for events
- Portable heaters
- Vacuum cleaner and cleaning equipment
- Equipment stored and used by hirers
Recommended approach:
- User checks: Before each use by hirers (provide guidance)
- Formal visual inspection by committee member: Quarterly
- Combined inspection and testing: Annually
- Higher frequency for kitchen and heating equipment (6 months)
- Require hirers who bring equipment to confirm it's tested
- Total annual cost: £100-180 external contractor
Scenario 4: Care home (20 residents, 60+ items)
Equipment:
- Kitchen equipment (commercial and domestic)
- Resident room equipment (TVs, radios, lamps, fans)
- Healthcare equipment (hoists, beds, monitors)
- Cleaning and maintenance equipment
- Office equipment
Recommended approach:
- User checks: Daily for high-use items
- Formal visual inspection: Monthly
- Combined inspection and testing: 6-12 months depending on equipment type
- More frequent for equipment in wet areas or used by residents
- Detailed records required for CQC compliance
- Total annual cost: £300-500+ depending on inventory size
Small business implements risk-based approach, saves money while improving safety
A small manufacturing company with 15 employees had been paying for annual PAT testing of all equipment at a cost of £400/year. Following a review, they realized they were over-testing low-risk office equipment while under-testing tools in the workshop.
- ✓Conducted proper risk assessment of all equipment
- ✓Categorized equipment by type, use, and environment
- ✓Implemented 3-monthly testing for workshop tools
- ✓Extended testing to 3 years for fixed-position office equipment
- ✓Trained supervisors to do visual inspections monthly
- ✓Introduced user checks for all portable equipment
The company reduced external testing costs to £250/year (testing only what needed frequent external testing), improved safety by catching workshop tool faults earlier, and built internal competence through supervisor training. No incidents in three years of the new regime.
More frequent or expensive testing isn't always better. A risk-based approach tailored to your actual circumstances provides better safety outcomes and better use of resources.
Frequently asked questions
No, PAT testing is not a specific legal requirement. However, the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require you to maintain electrical equipment in a safe condition. PAT testing is widely recognized as the best way to demonstrate compliance with this duty, particularly in workplaces and commercial settings.
For standard residential tenancies, there's no specific legal requirement to PAT test appliances, though it's strongly recommended if you provide them. For HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupation), local authority licenses typically require annual PAT testing. For commercial lets, testing is generally expected. Even without a legal requirement, testing demonstrates you've taken reasonable steps to ensure safety.
It depends on your risk assessment. Visual inspections catch about 90% of dangerous faults and should be done regularly. Formal electrical testing (PAT testing) is needed less frequently but provides more thorough assurance and detects hidden faults. Higher-risk environments (public areas, harsh conditions, vulnerable users) generally need both regular visual checks and periodic electrical testing.
You can do your own PAT testing if you're competent — you don't need to be a qualified electrician. Competence means having sufficient knowledge, training, and experience. Training courses like City & Guilds 2377 are available. For small equipment inventories, using an external contractor is often more practical than buying equipment and getting trained.
If you don't have any system for maintaining electrical equipment safely, you're likely in breach of the Electricity at Work Regulations. If someone is injured due to faulty equipment, you could face prosecution, fines, or civil claims. The absence of PAT testing records won't automatically mean you're non-compliant, but you'd need to demonstrate your alternative maintenance regime was adequate.
External contractors typically charge £1-3 per item, often with minimum charges or call-out fees. For a small office with 30 items, expect £60-120 for annual testing. Buying your own equipment costs £300-2,000 initially, plus training (£150-400), which can be cost-effective for larger inventories if you have someone to do it. Don't forget the ongoing cost of staff time.
Brand new equipment from reputable suppliers should be safe when purchased, but you should still visually inspect it on arrival and establish a baseline record. Equipment can be damaged in transit or storage. Second-hand, hired, or donated equipment should definitely be tested before first use.
It depends entirely on your risk assessment. Construction tools in harsh environments might need testing every 3 months. Office equipment in fixed positions might only need testing every 2-4 years. The HSE provides guidance, but the key is basing frequency on equipment type, environment, usage, and historical fault rates — not arbitrary annual schedules.
Not necessarily. Insurance requirements vary by insurer and policy type. Many commercial insurance policies expect you to maintain electrical equipment safely, which could include PAT testing, but it's not universal. Check your policy wording or ask your insurer. Even if not required by insurance, testing is still advisable for safety and legal compliance.
If they have a mains-powered charging unit or base station, that part should be tested. The battery-powered tool itself (when operating on battery only) doesn't need PAT testing. However, if the tool can also run directly from mains power, it should be tested.
Making your decision
Use this decision framework to determine if you need PAT testing:
Step 1: Identify your legal status
- Are you an employer, business owner, or organization with employees?
- Are you a landlord providing electrical appliances?
- Are you responsible for premises where others use electrical equipment?
- Do members of the public access or use your electrical equipment?
If you answered YES to any: You likely need a testing regime.
Step 2: Assess your risk level
- What type of equipment do you have? (handheld tools, fixed IT equipment, heating, etc.)
- What environment is it used in? (office, construction site, outdoors, wet areas)
- Who uses it? (trained staff, public, vulnerable people)
- How often is it moved?
- What's the potential severity if equipment fails?
Higher risk = more frequent testing needed.
Step 3: Determine your regime
Based on your risk assessment:
- Very low risk: Enhanced visual inspection regime might suffice
- Low to medium risk: Visual inspections (6-12 months) + electrical testing (2-4 years)
- Medium to high risk: Visual inspections (3-6 months) + electrical testing (12-24 months)
- High risk: Visual inspections (monthly) + electrical testing (3-12 months)
Step 4: Implement and record
- Document your risk assessment and decisions
- Establish clear responsibilities (who checks what, when)
- Create or procure record-keeping systems
- Train relevant staff
- Set up reminders for future inspections/tests
Step 5: Review
- After the first round of testing, review whether your regime is appropriate
- Too many faults found? Increase frequency or improve user checks
- No faults found for several years? Consider whether testing is proportionate
- Adjust based on experience, not arbitrary schedules
The question isn't "do I need PAT testing?" but rather "what combination of user checks, visual inspections, and formal testing is appropriate for my risk profile?" For many organizations, PAT testing is part of the answer, but rarely the whole answer.
Next steps
To understand what PAT testing involves and how it works:
For information about testing the fixed electrical installation in buildings:
For broader electrical safety obligations in workplaces:
Electrical Safety in the Workplace →
Not sure whether your current electrical safety measures are adequate? A qualified electrician or PAT testing specialist can review your equipment, assess your risks, and recommend an appropriate testing and maintenance regime for your specific situation.
Related articles:
- What is PAT Testing?
- What is an EICR?
- Electrical Safety in the Workplace
- Landlord Electrical Safety Requirements
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