PAT Testing FAQs 

What Is PAT Testing?

PAT testing (Portable Appliance Testing) is the inspection and electrical testing of appliances that plug into a wall socket, carried out to confirm they are safe to use. It combines a visual check of the plug, cable and casing with electrical tests such as earth continuity and insulation resistance, and every appliance is labelled pass or fail at the end.

What Does PAT Stand For?

PAT stands for Portable Appliance Testing. Under the IET’s 5th Edition Code of Practice it’s more formally called “in-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment,” but “PAT testing” remains the term almost everyone uses.

What Does a PAT Test Involve?

A full PAT test involves a visual inspection of the plug, cable and casing for damage, followed by electrical testing — earth continuity for Class 1 appliances and insulation resistance for Class 1 and 2 — before the appliance is labelled pass or fail.

Is PAT Testing a Legal Requirement in London?

Not directly there is no law stating every appliance must be PAT tested at a fixed interval. What the law requires is that employers and landlords keep electrical equipment in a safe condition, and PAT testing is the recognised way of proving that duty has been met.

Is PAT Testing a Legal Requirement for Landlords?

Not as a fixed statutory rule, but landlords have a legal duty under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 to keep supplied appliances safe, and PAT testing is the accepted way to evidence that including for holiday lets, where guest turnover makes documented safety checks especially important.

How Much Does PAT Testing Cost in London?

At Liviosiv, PAT testing starts from £75 for up to 10 items, £89 for 10–20 items, and £115 for 20–40 items (excluding VAT). Larger batches bring the per-item cost down.

How Much Do PAT Testers Charge?

Rates vary by provider, usually based on a per-item price that decreases the more appliances you test in one visit. Liviosiv uses simple tiered packages so the total is clear upfront.

How Much Does a PAT Testing Course Cost?

PAT testing training courses (leading to a City & Guilds 2377 qualification) typically range from around £150–£400, separate from the cost of having your own appliances professionally tested.

How Often Should PAT Testing Be Done?

There’s no single legal interval — it depends on the equipment and environment. Offices and shops typically need testing every 12–24 months, schools every 12 (Class 1) to 48 months (Class 2), construction sites every 3 months, and public-use equipment every 6–12 months.

How Long Does a PAT Test Last?

Once an appliance is tested and labelled, that result is valid until its marked retest date — which depends on the appliance class and the environment it’s used in, not a fixed universal expiry.

How Long Does a PAT Test Take?

A qualified engineer typically tests 30–40 items per hour, so a small office of around 20 appliances usually takes under an hour.

Who Can Do PAT Testing?

A “competent person” — someone trained, experienced and equipped with calibrated testing equipment — can legally carry out PAT testing. Most businesses and landlords use an accredited, insured PAT testing company rather than relying on in-house staff.

Do You Need a Qualification to PAT Test?

There’s no single mandatory qualification required by law, but competency is essential — most professional PAT testers hold a City & Guilds 2377 certificate or equivalent.

How Do You Become a PAT Tester?

The standard route is a City & Guilds 2377 PAT testing course, covering legal background, appliance classification, testing procedure and calibrated tester use.

Can You PAT Test Yourself?

Technically yes, if you’re a competent person with the right equipment and training — there’s no legal restriction to licensed electricians specifically. In practice, most businesses outsource it, since certified third-party documentation is what insurers and letting agents actually expect to see.

How Do You PAT Test an Appliance?

The process has two stages: a visual inspection of the plug, cable and casing for damage, then electrical testing with a calibrated PAT tester checking earth continuity and insulation resistance, followed by pass/fail labelling.

How Do You PAT Test Specific Items (TV, Kettle, Extension Lead, Computer)?

The same two-stage process applies to any plug-in item — the difference is which electrical tests are relevant. A kettle (Class 1) needs earth continuity; a TV (usually Class 2) needs insulation resistance instead; extension leads need both, tested along their full length.

How Do I Get a PAT Test Certificate?

Book a qualified PAT testing provider — once testing is complete, you’ll receive a certificate and appliance register covering every item tested, its result, and its next due date, usually within 24–48 hours.

What Needs PAT Testing?

Broadly, anything with a plug — IT equipment, kitchen appliances, power tools, extension leads and chargers — plus certain fixed appliances connected via a spur rather than a standard plug.

Do New Appliances Need PAT Testing?

It’s good practice to PAT test new equipment before first use a “first-use” check since manufacturing or transit damage, while rare, is possible.

Is PAT Testing Required in Schools?

Yes schools typically test Class 1 equipment every 12 months as a minimum, with Class 2 equipment on a longer cycle of up to 48 months.

What Is a PAT Certificate?

A PAT certificate (with its accompanying appliance register) lists every appliance tested, its class, its pass/fail result, the date tested, and the date it is next due the document you had show an insurer, letting agent, council or auditor.