Electrical equipment used in workplaces, schools, rented property, hospitality venues, warehouses, factories and construction environments must be maintained so that it remains safe to use.
PAT testing is commonly used as part of a risk-based maintenance programme. The correct approach may combine user checks, formal visual inspections and electrical testing, depending on the equipment, working environment, condition and likelihood of damage.
This guide explains what usually needs PAT testing, which items require individual assessment and which equipment is normally maintained under fixed electrical installation or specialist servicing procedures.
Quick answer: Electrical equipment should be considered for PAT testing where it is connected by a plug and flexible cable, portable, movable, hand-held or likely to be damaged during normal use. Not every appliance requires the same inspection or testing interval.
The term “portable appliance” is widely used, but an item does not need to be carried around every day to require consideration. The maintenance programme should cover electrical equipment that could create danger if it becomes damaged or defective.
Items designed to be moved while connected or easily carried between locations, such as kettles, fans, laptop chargers and vacuum cleaners.
Equipment that may remain stationary in normal use but can be moved, such as printers, photocopiers, televisions and desktop computers.
Equipment held in the hand during normal operation, including drills, hair dryers, glue guns and portable inspection lamps.
Equipment that normally stays in one location but is connected by a plug and flexible cable, including monitors, fridges, vending machines and UPS units.
Equipment connected through a plug and flexible cable is commonly included. Permanently wired equipment is normally maintained through fixed electrical installation inspection, specialist servicing or manufacturer procedures.
The exact scope should be based on risk, but the following workplace categories commonly contain plug-in equipment that is inspected and tested.
Desktop computers, monitors, printers, scanners, photocopiers, laptop chargers, docking stations, routers, switches, desk lamps and extension leads.
Kettles, microwaves, toasters, coffee machines, water boilers, blenders, mixers, portable hotplates, fridges, heaters and fans.
Guest-room kettles, hair dryers, televisions, irons, table lamps, portable fans, vacuum cleaners, catering appliances and extension leads.
Office equipment, portable televisions, bed power supplies, hoist chargers, kitchen appliances, cleaning equipment and permitted personal electrical items.
Computers, projectors, classroom technology, laboratory equipment, food-technology appliances, music equipment, workshop tools and extension leads.
Point-of-sale systems, receipt printers, card-machine chargers, label printers, display equipment, portable heaters, cleaning equipment and staff-room appliances.
Barcode scanners, charging bases, label printers, battery chargers, portable work lights, extension leads, cable reels, fans and cleaning equipment.
Portable welders, grinders, compressors, extraction units, inspection lamps, movable workshop equipment and industrial extension assemblies.
110V drills, SDS breakers, circular saws, transformers, portable floodlights, extension leads, cable reels and temporary distribution equipment.
IEC C13/C14, C15, C19/C20, C5 cloverleaf and C7 figure-eight leads are commonly inspected and tested as separate electrical accessories.
Yellow 110V, blue 230V and red three-phase connectors may be included where they form part of portable tools, extension leads or temporary electrical distribution equipment.
Overlooked items are often chargers, detachable leads or accessories rather than the main appliance itself.
Power supplies, detachable mains leads and low-voltage cables can all suffer damage through handling and transport.
Business-owned USB plugs, charging bases and power adapters should be included in the equipment inventory.
Extension leads are vulnerable to overloading, trapped cables, damaged plugs and worn socket outlets.
Reels should be checked for cuts, crushed cable, damaged outlets, overheating and unsafe use while coiled.
Docking stations and their power adapters are often missed when office equipment inventories are prepared.
Higher-powered USB-C supplies used with laptops, monitors and docking stations should be considered like other mains adapters.
Portable and accessible ceiling-mounted projectors may be included depending on their connection and maintenance arrangements.
Seasonal equipment is moved and stored regularly, making damage to plugs, flexes, guards and casings more likely.
Equipment should be classified according to its connection, construction, movement, accessibility and maintenance arrangements.
Kettles, computers, monitors, printers, extension leads, chargers, power tools, portable heaters and cleaning equipment.
Included in user checks, formal visual inspection and electrical testing where risk justifies it.
Built-in appliances with accessible plugs, vending machines, server equipment, large movable appliances and specialist equipment.
Assess access, connection method, manufacturer guidance, movement, environment and specialist servicing requirements.
Fixed wiring, socket outlets, distribution boards, fixed lighting circuits and permanently connected equipment.
Normally maintained through EICR, fixed-wire testing, specialist inspection or manufacturer servicing.
Low-risk equipment in a controlled environment with no sign of damage and a good previous inspection history.
The maintenance decision should still be recorded and reviewed rather than assuming the item requires no attention.
Equipment outside routine PAT testing may still require fixed electrical inspection, specialist servicing, manufacturer maintenance or checks under a separate compliance programme.
This quick reference groups common workplace equipment alphabetically. The final maintenance decision should always remain risk based.
Air conditioners (portable), air fryers, air purifiers, amplifiers, barcode scanner chargers, battery chargers, blenders, cable reels, card-machine chargers, coffee machines, computers and countertop water boilers.
These are commonly included where they connect by plug and flexible cable or are moved during normal use.
Desk lamps, docking stations, drills, extension leads, extraction units, fan heaters, fans, floor cleaners, food mixers and fridges connected by plug.
Movement, heat, moisture, dust and regular handling may increase the required inspection frequency.
Glue guns, hair dryers, hand-held tools, IEC C5/C7/C13/C15/C19 leads, irons, kettles, label printers, laptops and laptop chargers.
Detachable power leads and chargers should not be overlooked as separate electrical accessories.
Microwave ovens, monitors, mixers, phone chargers, photocopiers, portable air conditioners, portable heaters, printers, projectors, rice cookers and routers.
Some large or specialist items may also have manufacturer servicing requirements.
Scanners, shredders, site transformers, surge-protected extension leads, televisions, toasters, tool chargers, UPS units and USB-C power supplies.
UPS and server-related equipment may require planning before isolation or testing.
Vacuum cleaners, vending machines, water boilers, workshop tools, yellow 110V extension leads and other portable industrial connectors.
Harsh environments and frequent movement commonly justify closer inspection.
Need help deciding what to include? Build an inventory of plug-connected equipment, detachable leads, chargers, extension leads and permitted personal appliances, then apply a risk-based maintenance plan.
Electrical equipment connected by a plug and flexible cable should normally be considered within a risk-based maintenance programme. Common examples include computers, monitors, kettles, chargers, extension leads, printers, cleaning equipment and portable tools.
No. Some equipment may only require user checks and formal visual inspection, while other equipment benefits from combined inspection and electrical testing. The correct approach depends on risk.
Extension leads and cable reels are commonly included because they are frequently moved, plugged and unplugged and may suffer cable, plug or socket damage.
Business-owned chargers are commonly included because their mains plugs, flexible cables and power supplies are regularly handled and can become damaged.
Desktop computers, monitors and their detachable power leads are commonly included within office, school and commercial electrical equipment maintenance programmes.
Brand-new equipment does not normally require immediate electrical testing when supplied in good condition. It should be visually checked for damage and entered into the maintenance system.
Fixed wiring, socket outlets, distribution boards, fixed lighting circuits and permanently connected equipment are normally maintained through fixed electrical installation inspection or specialist servicing.
There is no universal annual testing interval. Frequency should reflect equipment type, environment, frequency of use, likelihood of damage and previous inspection results.
UK law requires electrical equipment to be maintained so it does not cause danger. PAT testing is one recognised method that can form part of a suitable risk-based maintenance programme.
Detachable IEC leads are commonly recorded and tested separately because they can be disconnected and exchanged between different appliances.
Fast PAT Testing London provides appliance inspection, testing, labels and PDF certification for businesses throughout London and the surrounding areas.
Contact Us » Request a Quote »|
Contact Us Fast PAT Testing London Medway House, Hankey Pl, London, SE1 4BJ. ☎️ 020 8058 2686 📞 020 8058 5355 ✉️ Get a Quotation |
Opening Hours Mon 08.00 - 18.00 Tue 08.00 - 18.00 Wed 08.00 - 18.00 Thu 08.00 - 18.00 Fri 08.00 - 18.00 Sat 08.00 - 18.00 Sun 08.00 - 18.00 |
Fast PAT Testing London 2026
|
