PAT Testing York
Portable Appliance Testing in York
For businesses, offices, hospitality venues, commercial properties, and landlords. Full written record issued on the day. NICEIC approved.
What PAT testing is — and what it isn’t
PAT testing — Portable Appliance Testing — is the formal inspection and electrical testing of portable electrical equipment. That means anything with a plug: computers, monitors, keyboards, printers, kettles, microwaves, toasters, power tools, extension leads, desk fans, and so on.
It is entirely separate from an EICR, which covers the fixed wiring of a building — the cables in the walls, the consumer unit, fixed sockets and switches. An EICR doesn’t tell you anything about whether the appliances plugged into those sockets are safe. For that, you need PAT testing.
A business can have a satisfactory EICR — safe fixed wiring — and still have unsafe appliances. Most businesses need both, and I can carry out either or both on the same visit.
Is PAT testing legally required?
There is no law that prescribes PAT testing on a fixed schedule. But two pieces of legislation create the duty of care that PAT testing demonstrates:
Requires employers to ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, the health and safety of employees. Electrical equipment in the workplace is covered by this duty.
Requires that all electrical systems — including portable appliances — are maintained in a safe condition. Regulation 4(2) is the key provision. PAT testing is the industry-standard way of demonstrating compliance.
The practical importance: if an unsafe appliance causes a fire or injures someone and you cannot demonstrate that you maintained it in a safe condition, you have a problem. A PAT test record is your evidence. It’s also commonly required by insurers and landlords as a condition of cover or tenancy.
How often does PAT testing need to be done?
The frequency depends on the type of equipment and the environment it’s used in. Higher risk means more frequent testing. The IET Code of Practice on In-Service Inspection and Testing gives the following guidance:
Computers, monitors, printers, desk phones, chargers. Low-risk, fixed location.
Kettles, toasters, microwaves, mixers. Higher use frequency, more risk of damage.
Drills, grinders, extension reels. Heavy use, higher chance of cable damage.
Any equipment used in harsh or outdoor environments.
The PAT test report itself will include recommended retest dates for each item based on its category.
What to expect on the day
I arrive with the PAT testing equipment and work through each item systematically. Every appliance gets a visual inspection first — checking the plug (correct fuse rating, no signs of overheating or damage), the cable (no fraying, cuts, or kinks near the plug or appliance), and the casing (no cracks, missing covers, burn marks).
Items that pass visual inspection then get electrical testing: earth continuity (for class I appliances with exposed metalwork), insulation resistance (checking the insulation between live parts and earth), and for some equipment, a substituted leakage test. The tests take a matter of seconds per item once the equipment is set up.
Items that pass get a dated pass label. Items that fail get a fail label and are flagged in the report — they should be taken out of service until repaired or replaced. I’ll tell you on the day what failed and why.
You receive a full written record of every item tested, with pass/fail status, the tests carried out, and recommended retest dates. Issued the same day.
Who needs PAT testing in York?
Offices and commercial premises
Any employer with electrical equipment used by staff. Computers, monitors, extension leads, desk fans, chargers — all need to be maintained in a safe condition. PAT testing creates the audit trail that demonstrates you’ve done this.
Cafes, restaurants, and hospitality
Kitchen equipment gets heavy daily use and is subject to heat, moisture, and grease — exactly the conditions that degrade insulation and cables. Annual testing is standard for most catering equipment.
Shops and retail
Tills, card readers, lighting display equipment, back-office equipment. If it’s plugged in and used by staff or accessible to the public, it falls within the duty of care.
Landlords with appliances
PAT testing isn’t a legal requirement for landlords in England in the same way EICRs are. But if you provide appliances as part of a tenancy — a washing machine, fridge, kettle, or TV — those appliances must be maintained safely. PAT testing provides the evidence. It’s also commonly required by landlord insurance policies.
Events and temporary venues
Hired or borrowed equipment used at events — PA systems, lighting rigs, catering equipment — is typically expected to be PAT-tested as a condition of hire or venue use.
PAT testing and EICR — the difference
This is the question I get asked most often. The short version: they test completely different things, and most businesses need both.
EICR covers
Fixed wiring in the walls · Consumer unit and protective devices · Fixed sockets and switches · Hardwired equipment · Earthing and bonding
PAT testing covers
Anything with a plug · Computers, monitors, printers · Kitchen appliances · Power tools · Extension leads and adaptors · Portable lighting
I can carry out an EICR and PAT testing on the same visit, which makes scheduling simpler and reduces disruption. For commercial premises needing both, just ask when you get in touch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Book PAT Testing in York
Get in touch with the number of items or a description of your premises and I’ll give you a clear, honest estimate. I can usually combine PAT testing with an EICR visit to save you time.