What is PAT Testing – Portable Appliance Test Explained

• Are wondering what PAT testing is;
• Want to find out what appliances are tested;
• Want to find out if you are legally obligated to carry one out;

• Insulation – Relates to whether the electrics are properly insulated i.e wiring has been wrapped with PFTE so that someone doesn’t come into contact with an active current.
• Lead polarity – Electrical potential at the poles of a circuit. Think of a battery where it has a positive pole and a negative pole (+/-). The test will measure whether electrons can properly pass through a circuit and that the electrical appliance will properly function.
• Earth continuity – Whether the appliance can be properly grounded for safety and functionality purposes. Measures an appliance’s accessible earthed parts (like a metal chassis on a kitchen appliance) and the earth pins on plugs.

Are you legally required to do a PAT test?

Generally no. If you’re a homeowner, you won’t need to carry out any PAT tests. This also includes landlords. While you might be legally required to carry out an EICR and supply an EPC, you won’t need to provide a PAT test.

That being said, you are legally responsible for any and all electrical appliances in a property you rent out. If any tenant becomes hurt from malfunctioning appliances, you can be held responsible. To avoid such possibilities, carrying out a PAT test on older appliances once every few years could prevent such possibilities.

PAT testing for businesses

UK businesses have a legal obligation to make sure that all electrical appliances are safe to use and work properly. Again, while businesses aren’t bound by law to carry out PAT tests, they are the most effective way of testing electrical appliances.

Some businesses that specialise in the sales of electrical appliances will likely have their own PAT testers in-store or in the warehouse. All appliances have to be safe for employee and public use and if someone was hurt by a faulty electrical appliance, the company that sold it would be at fault.

PAT testing – Classes

Electrical appliances are divided into three classes. Class I, II and III. This not only determines the potential danger of a particular appliance but also what needs to be tested on the item. For instance, class I appliances will need to undergo a full PAT test, while those in class II will only need an electrical insulation test. This is because class I items solely rely on earthing in terms of safety.

Class II items on the other hand have extra electrical insulation and so doesn’t need to rely on earthing quite as much. Class III items on the other hand are usually low voltage items and generally the safest to use. For class III appliances, their chargers are the only part that might undergo PAT testing.

PAT testing – Class III appliances