What is PAT Testing?
PAT testing (Portable Appliance Testing) is the routine inspection and electrical testing of plug-in appliances to confirm they are safe to use. It's the recognised way for UK landlords, employers and holiday let owners to meet their duty of care under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989.
What's tested
Earth continuity, insulation resistance, lead polarity and (for IT equipment) touch leakage current — plus a thorough visual inspection of plug, flex and casing.
What you get
Pass/fail label on every item with a unique ID, a full digital asset register and a PDF certificate emailed the same day. Audit-ready for HSE and insurers.
Who needs it
Landlords, HMOs, holiday lets, offices, salons, dental practices, schools, construction sites and any business with electrical equipment used by staff or guests.
What does PAT stand for?
PAT stands for Portable Appliance Testing. The IET's official term is "In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment", but PAT testing remains the everyday name used across UK industry, landlord guides and council licensing documents.
Is PAT testing a legal requirement?
No single UK law says "you must PAT test", but several pieces of legislation require you to keep electrical equipment in a safe condition:
- Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 — duty to maintain electrical systems to prevent danger.
- Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 — employer's general duty of care.
- Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) — work equipment must be safe and suitable.
- Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 — risk assessment of all hazards including electricity.
- Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 — applies to landlords and short-term let providers.
PAT testing is the recognised way to demonstrate compliance. Insurers, letting agents, HMO licensing schemes and short-term let councils all expect to see in-date PAT certificates.
Class 1 vs Class 2 — what's the difference?
Class 1 (earthed)
Relies on an earth connection for safety. Metal-bodied appliances such as kettles, toasters, microwaves, fridges and most kitchen equipment.
Tests: visual, earth continuity, insulation resistance.
Class 2 (double-insulated)
Marked with a double-square symbol. Most chargers, hairdryers, lamps, drills and IT equipment. No earth pin required.
Tests: visual, insulation resistance only.
How often should you PAT test?
The IET Code of Practice 5th Edition (2020) moved away from rigid intervals and toward risk-based scheduling. As a practical guide:
- Construction site tools — every 3 months
- Industrial / commercial kitchens — every 6–12 months
- Office handheld Class 1 — every 12 months
- Office IT Class 2 (stationary) — every 24–48 months
- HMOs and holiday lets — annually (most insurers require this)
- Schools and salons — annually
PAT testing cost
Our PAT testing in Devon is priced from £1.50 per item plus a £75 plus VAT minimum callout. Bulk discounts apply over 100 items. Every job includes pass/fail labels with unique IDs, a digital asset register and a PDF certificate emailed the same day. See our full PAT testing cost guide for typical job prices.
Need PAT testing in Devon?
CHAS approved, fully insured, digital certificates the same day. We cover Newton Abbot, Exeter, Torbay, Teignmouth and surrounding areas.
Related guides
What is an EICR?
The fixed-wiring counterpart to PAT testing.
Landlord Electrical Services
EICR + PAT + smoke alarm bundles for rentals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is PAT testing?
PAT testing (Portable Appliance Testing) is the routine inspection and electrical testing of plug-in appliances — kettles, computers, extension leads, power tools, fridges and similar — to confirm they are safe to use. A trained tester carries out a visual check, then uses a PAT tester to measure earth continuity, insulation resistance and (for some appliances) leakage current. Each item is then labelled Pass or Fail with a unique ID.
What does PAT stand for?
PAT stands for Portable Appliance Testing. The official IET term is "In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment", but PAT testing remains the everyday name used by landlords, employers and electricians across the UK.
Is PAT testing a legal requirement in the UK?
There is no specific law that says "you must PAT test", but the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 all require employers and landlords to keep electrical equipment in a safe condition. PAT testing is the recognised way to demonstrate compliance, and most insurers, letting agents and HMO licensing schemes treat it as mandatory.
How often should appliances be PAT tested?
Frequency depends on appliance class and environment. As a guide: handheld Class 1 equipment in offices every 12 months; Class 2 IT equipment every 24–48 months; construction site tools every 3 months; HMO and holiday let appliances annually. The IET Code of Practice 5th Edition lets a competent person set intervals based on risk.
What is the difference between Class 1 and Class 2 PAT testing?
Class 1 appliances rely on an earth connection for safety (kettles, toasters, microwaves) and must pass earth continuity plus insulation resistance tests. Class 2 appliances are double-insulated (most chargers, hairdryers, lamps) and only need an insulation resistance test — they have no earth pin or a plastic body marked with a double-square symbol.
How much does PAT testing cost?
Our PAT testing is priced from £1.50 per item with a £75 plus VAT minimum callout in Newton Abbot, Exeter, Torbay and surrounding areas. Bulk discounts apply over 100 items. Every job includes pass/fail labels, a digital asset register and a PDF certificate emailed the same day.
What happens if an appliance fails a PAT test?
Failed appliances are labelled "Do Not Use" and removed from service. Minor faults (damaged plug, frayed flex) are often repairable on site for a small charge. Items with internal faults should be replaced. The asset register records every fail so you have a clear audit trail for insurers and HSE.
Do I need PAT testing for a holiday let or Airbnb?
Yes — under the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 and short-term let licensing rules in many councils, all supplied appliances in a holiday let must be safe. Annual PAT testing of kettles, toasters, microwaves, hairdryers, TVs and chargers is the standard way to prove compliance and protect your insurance.