Frequently Asked Questions

PAT stands for Portable Appliance Testing. It's a process of checking electrical appliances for safety through a combination of visual inspections and electronic tests. A qualified engineer uses specialist equipment to verify that appliances are safe to use and won't cause electrical shock or fire.

While there is no single law that says "you must PAT test," the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require that all electrical systems and equipment are maintained to prevent danger. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 also places a duty on employers to ensure the safety of employees and visitors. PAT testing is the industry-recognised method of demonstrating compliance with these regulations.

Frequency depends on the type of equipment and environment. General guidance: offices and shops — every 12 months; construction sites — every 3-6 months; hotels and hospitality — every 12 months; schools — every 12 months; rental properties — every 12 months or change of tenancy. We'll advise on the right schedule for your situation.

There's no legal requirement for a specific qualification, but the HSE states that testing should be carried out by a "competent person." All PAT Wise engineers hold the City & Guilds 2377 qualification — the industry-recognised standard for PAT testing competence. This ensures accurate, reliable results and valid certificates.

If an appliance fails testing, our engineer will label it with a red "FAIL" sticker and remove it from service if there's an immediate risk. We'll note the fault on your report and advise whether the item can be repaired or should be replaced. You'll never be charged for items that fail — only for the testing itself.

Yes. Class II appliances (those with the double-square symbol and no earth pin) still need testing. While they don't require earth continuity testing, they still need visual inspection, insulation resistance testing, and operational checks. Many common appliances like phone chargers, laptops, and hair dryers are Class II.

A visual check involves looking at the appliance, plug, cable, and socket for obvious signs of damage — frayed wires, cracked casings, burn marks, etc. A full PAT test goes further by using specialist equipment to measure earth continuity, insulation resistance, and other electrical properties that can't be assessed by eye alone. Both are important, but a visual check alone is not a PAT test.

Yes. We have the equipment and expertise to test 3-phase appliances, including industrial machinery, large catering equipment, and workshop tools. Please mention any 3-phase equipment when booking so our engineer can bring the appropriate testing equipment.

You'll receive a Certificate of Electrical Appliance Testing along with a detailed schedule listing every item tested, its description, location, test results, and pass/fail status. The certificate references compliance with the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and the IEE Code of Practice. Certificates are issued as PDF documents on the same day as testing.

Yes, we offer same-day and next-day testing subject to availability. We understand that sometimes testing is needed urgently — for insurance renewals, property inspections, or HSE visits. Call us on 020 3887 3997 and we'll do our best to accommodate you.

We provide PAT testing services across the entire UK, including London, the South East, Midlands, North West, North East, Scotland, and Wales. For remote locations, we may need slightly more notice, but we can reach anywhere in the country.

Ensure all portable appliances are accessible and plugged in (or easily reachable). If possible, provide a list of appliances and their locations. Make sure our engineer can access all rooms and areas where appliances are used. There's no need to switch anything off in advance — our engineer will handle that.

Minimal disruption is a core part of our service. Each appliance typically takes just 2-5 minutes to test. The appliance only needs to be unplugged briefly. Our engineers work quietly and efficiently, and we can schedule visits outside of core business hours if preferred — including early mornings and weekends.

If you acquire new appliances after your test, let us know and we can arrange a follow-up visit to test the additional items. We won't charge a new call-out fee for follow-up visits within 30 days of the original test, only a per-item fee for the new appliances.

Our minimum booking is for 10 appliances. For smaller quantities, we may be able to combine your visit with a nearby booking — please call us to discuss. For landlords with just a handful of items per property, we offer multi-property packages that bring the cost down significantly.