What is PAT Testing?

PAT Testing, or Portable Appliance Testing, is the testing of appliances, ensuring they are safe to use.

A Formal visual Inspection should be carried out before three main tests:

Earth Continuity Testing

Insulation Testing

Functional Testing

Purplewood Electrical carry out a full combined inspection and test on every visit*.

*Class II appliances do not require an Earth Continuity Test. Class III appliances usually require a visual inspection only.

Short answer, 'no', but that's not the end of the story and there is one exception, Houses of Multiple Occupancy (HMO's) - More on that below.

All businesses, from sole traders to multinationals have a duty under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, of which regulation 4(2) states:

'As may be necessary to prevent danger, all systems shall be maintained so as to prevent, so far as is reasonably possible, such danger.'

The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 also state that equipment, devices and systems should be under a suitable system of maintenance.

Landlords are also subject to the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations which, whilst not saying PAT Testing is required, does state electrical appliances must be safe and that reasonable steps should be taken to ensure this.

This is where the exception to rule comes in. HMO's can require annual PAT Testing by regulation and for licencing. Check with your local authority for exact interval of testing requirements.

Finally, we are aware that some insurance companies insist on PAT Testing being carried out, so as not to invalidate the insurance policy. Please check this with your provider.

So long answer, it might not be a legal requirement, but for many reasons, it's definitely best practice.

Not necessarily. Sorry to sound vague, but there are many factors at play here.

Firstly, the type of appliance makes a difference. The IET have recommended time scales for all types of appliance, but these are then affected further by the location of the portable appliances. A construction site, for example, will require more frequent testing than an office for the same appliance.

The longest interval on any combination of appliance and location in the IET Code of Practice is 48 months, the shortest however is just one month.

At Purplewood Electrical, we use the IET Code of Practice and our experience, combined with what we find on site, to recommend a retest period that is appropriate for you. A record of testing must be properly maintained, and that might mean more frequent testing that IET Guidelines.  If this is the case, we will explain our reasons as to why and detail this in the report we generate for you.  Where more frequent testing is required, we will discuss a bespoke option to ensure costs are kept down.

Purplewood Electrical currently cover East Sussex, Brighton, West Sussex, and Kent.

We also cover London although our lower priced Base Service Options incur a surcharge for workplaces in the city (Inside the M25).

Please contact us directly if you are interested in our services, but are based outside of these areas.