PAT Testing: How Often Is Enough?

Portable appliance testing (PAT) checks that equipment plugged into the mains, from kettles to IT and cleaning machines, is safe to use. It is one of the most commonly asked-about electrical checks, and one of the most misunderstood.

What the law says

The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require electrical equipment to be maintained so it doesn't cause danger. They don't set a fixed testing interval. Instead, you decide how often based on risk, and the IET Code of Practice for in-service inspection and testing gives guidance.

What sets the interval

• Environment: equipment on construction sites or in workshops needs checking far more often than in an office.
• Type of equipment: hand-held and frequently moved items wear faster than fixed IT.
• Who uses it: public-facing areas and schools carry more risk of damage.
• History: if you're finding faults, test more often.

Visual checks matter most

Most faults, such as damaged cables, cracked plugs and scorch marks, are found by looking. Staff checks before use, plus formal visual inspections between tests, catch the majority of problems.

What you get from us

Every item is labelled, logged and given a pass or fail, with an asset register you can use to plan the next round.