Portable Appliance Testing, commonly called PAT testing, is the process of examination of an electrical appliances with a standard plug, to aid in ensuring it is safe to use. Many defects can be found by visual examination but some types of defect can only be found by testing, using special PAT testing equipment.

It is essential to understand that visual examination is an essential part of the process and can and should be done frequently by all users of the equipment, because some types of electrical safety defect can't be detected by testing alone.

This all depends on your business.

For many workplaces the law does not require PAT testing, it generally is more about your risk assessments, insurances and liabilities as a business owner. The law simply requires an employer to ensure that their electrical equipment is maintained in order to prevent danger. The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require that any electrical equipment that has the potential to cause injury is maintained in a safe condition, PAT testing is a simple and affordable way to document your duty of care efforts.

However, if you operate rental properties (for example) then you will find that it is a legal requirement.

The Housing (Scotland) Act 2014 introduced new rules on mandatory electrical testing. From the 1st of December 2015 for new tenancies and from 1st of December 2016 for existing tenancies these became a statutory regulation.

Although the law states that the checks are carried out at least every 5 years (EICR & PAT), it is recommended that it be carried out more often- particularly PAT tests that they advise should be annually checked.

Remember that the PAT testing only needs to cover items that you, the landlord provide as part of the let agreement. The tenants own appliances are not included.

No, PAT testing does not require the electricity to the premises to be affected. A typical appliance or electrical item takes just a few minutes to test properly. This is the visual part, the measured testing and writing up the certificate and label.

It may mean that for a brief spell a till or workstation is not available to the user but all efforts are made to keep this impact to a minimum.

Black Isle PAT services offers out of hours testing so we can attend and test those essential items outside work hours and finish any routine items at another time, keeping your productivity up.

There is no need for damage to happen to carry out PAT testing, all we need is access to an appliances plug. If this cannot be easily accessed we will discuss with you how best to proceed.
It is also not a dirty task but sometimes we are in long forgotten and dusty corners of your premises so there may be a little dust disturbed.