PAT Testing Course

Portable appliance testing, commonly known as PAT, is the examination of electrical appliances and equipment to assess whether they are safe for continued use. A formal visual inspection is an essential part of the process, while electrical tests may also be needed because some defects cannot be found visually.

The checks and tests required depend on the equipment and the risks associated with its use. PAT assesses electrical safety at the time of the examination; it does not confirm that equipment is functioning normally or guarantee that it will remain safe.

Equipment found to be faulty should be removed from use and dealt with in accordance with the organisation’s procedures. It may need to be repaired by a competent person and tested where necessary, or disposed of to prevent further use.

Not officially. PAT remains a widely used term, including by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). However, some organisations now use Electrical Equipment Testing (EET) as a broader, more accurate description.

The fifth edition of the IET’s Code of Practice for In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment moved away from focusing only on “portable appliances”. Its scope includes a wider range of workplace electrical equipment, including equipment that may not be portable or fitted with a plug.

EET should therefore be understood as an alternative industry term, not an official legal renaming of PAT. The appropriate inspections and tests still depend on the equipment, how it is used and the risks involved.

No. The law in Great Britain does not specifically require portable appliance testing or state that equipment must be tested annually.

The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require electrical systems and equipment to be maintained, where necessary, to prevent danger. Employers and other dutyholders must decide how to meet this requirement based on risk. Depending on the equipment, its use and its working environment, an appropriate maintenance regime may include user checks, formal visual inspections and combined inspection and testing.

For some low-risk equipment, visual inspection may be sufficient and electrical testing may not be necessary. The frequency and type of checks should be determined through risk assessment rather than applying the same testing interval to every item. HSE guidance on PAT explains this risk-based approach.

No. The law does not require PAT testing to be carried out by a qualified electrician or someone with a particular qualification.

However, the person must be competent for the task. They need suitable test equipment, the ability to use it correctly and enough knowledge and experience to interpret the results and prevent danger. The employer must determine whether the person is competent or appropriately supervised.

Yes. This course is assured by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).

Yes. After successfully completing the course assessment, you’ll earn a training certificate. It will be available to download instantly upon course completion.

The training certificate is valid for three years. After this period, you’ll need to repeat the course to refresh your knowledge and renew your PAT testing training certificate.

The course is £49 + VAT for a single trainee. Discounts are available on volume purchases. Speak to one of our sales team to learn more, or click on ‘Discount’ beneath the ‘Buy Now’ button at the top of the page for more details.