Portable Appliance Testing Services

Professional PAT Testing in London for Landlords, Businesses & Organisations

Arrange professional safety checks for portable electrical appliances in rental properties, offices, shops, schools, hospitality venues and commercial premises. Receive clear pass or fail labels and an organised digital PAT Testing record for the appliances inspected.

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FAQ
⚡ PAT Testing for London Properties & Workplaces

PAT Testing in London: Appliance Checks, Records and Risk-Based Advice

Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) combines a formal visual inspection with appropriate electrical tests to help determine whether plug-in electrical equipment is safe for continued use. Our service is suitable for landlords, offices, shops, hospitality premises, schools, charities, contractors and other organisations that need clear appliance records.

Visual inspection and electrical tests Pass or fail labels where appropriate Digital appliance register and results
PAT Testing at a glance
Checks Plug, cable, casing and suitable electrical tests
Result Pass, fail, visual defect or not tested
Records Itemised digital report and appliance register

PAT Testing covers portable and plug-in equipment. Fixed wiring requires a separate EICR.

01 Definition

What Is PAT Testing?

A structured safety check for portable and plug-in electrical equipment already in service.

  • Formal visual examination of the appliance and lead
  • Electrical tests selected for the equipment type
  • Clear result recorded for each inspected item
02 Who It Helps

Who Uses PAT Testing?

  • Employers: workplace equipment maintenance
  • Landlords & agents: supplied appliance records
  • Businesses: offices, shops and hospitality premises
  • Contractors: tools and equipment used on sites
03 Your Records

What Will You Receive?

  • An itemised digital appliance register
  • Pass or fail result for each completed test
  • Identification labels where appropriate
  • Notes for failed, inaccessible or excluded items
Inspection and testing scope

What Does PAT Testing Cover?

The exact checks depend on the appliance class, construction, condition and operating environment.

01

Plug & Fuse

Plug condition, wiring, strain relief and suitable fuse rating.

02

Cable & Flex

Cuts, crushing, exposed conductors, taped repairs and heat damage.

03

Appliance Casing

Damage, loose parts, contamination and accessible live-part risks.

04

Earth Continuity

Protective earth continuity for suitable Class I equipment.

05

Insulation / Leakage

Appropriate insulation or leakage testing for the equipment design.

06

Leads & Adaptors

Extension leads, detachable IEC leads and suitable plug-in adaptors.

Service limitations

What PAT Testing Does Not Include

PAT Testing is limited to agreed portable and plug-in equipment that can be safely accessed, identified and tested. It is not a substitute for fixed-wiring inspection, appliance repair or specialist equipment assessment.

  • Fixed wiring, sockets and consumer units require a separate EICR
  • Repairs, replacement plugs, leads and parts are not automatically included
  • Inaccessible, live-critical or unsafe-to-disconnect items may be excluded
  • Hard-wired equipment is outside standard PAT scope unless separately agreed
  • Microwave leakage testing is separate unless included in the quotation
  • Specialist, medical or manufacturer-restricted equipment may require separate assessment
What happens on the day

A Clear Four-Step PAT Testing Process

Efficient for your premises, itemised for your records and focused on electrical safety.

  1. 01

    Confirm the Inventory

    Agree the areas, item count, access arrangements and exclusions.

  2. 02

    Visual Inspection

    Check plugs, fuses, cables, casings, connectors and signs of misuse.

  3. 03

    Electrical Testing

    Complete suitable tests for the appliance class and construction.

  4. 04

    Label & Record

    Record results, identify failed items and issue the digital report.

Before the appointment

How to Prepare for PAT Testing

A little preparation helps us test more items efficiently and minimise disruption.

  • Prepare an estimated appliance count by area
  • Make plugs, leads and equipment accessible
  • Arrange safe shutdown of computers and sensitive equipment
  • Tell staff or tenants about temporary disconnection
  • Identify essential, medical or continuously operating equipment
  • Provide previous PAT records where available
Clear appliance outcomes

Understanding Your PAT Testing Results

Each completed item is recorded with a clear outcome. A pass confirms that the item met the inspection and test criteria applied at the time of testing; it is not a lifetime guarantee. Users should continue to report damage, overheating, unusual smells, tripping or other warning signs between formal inspections.

PASS

Suitable for Continued Use

No safety defect identified during the completed checks.

FAIL

Remove from Use

A safety defect or unacceptable test result was identified.

VIS

Visual Defect

Damage or an unsafe condition was found during inspection.

N/T

Not Tested

The item was inaccessible, unsuitable to disconnect or outside the agreed scope.

Next steps after testing

What Happens If an Appliance Fails?

A failed item should not remain available for normal use. We record the reason for failure and clearly identify the item so the responsible person can arrange repair, replacement or further investigation.

!

Remove from Service

Disconnect the item where safe and prevent further use.

×

Fail Identification

Apply a clear fail or do-not-use label where appropriate.

Record the Defect

Add the failed result and reason to the appliance register.

£

Separate Repair Quote

Repairs and replacement parts are quoted separately before work begins.

Retest After Repair

Repaired equipment should be checked before it returns to service.

Update the Register

Record the repair, replacement, disposal or successful retest.

Transparent PAT Testing pricing

PAT Testing Packages in London

Indicative package prices are confirmed in writing after the appliance count, premises type, access, parking and any specialist testing requirements are checked.

Up to 10 Items
From £69
Indicative package price
  • Visual inspection and suitable tests
  • Pass or fail identification
  • Digital appliance register
Request Package Quote
Up to 50 Items
From £139
Indicative package price
  • Visual inspection and suitable tests
  • Pass or fail identification
  • Digital appliance register
Request Package Quote
Up to 100 Items
From £219
Price confirmed before booking
  • Suitable for larger workplaces
  • Itemised results and exclusions
  • Digital appliance register
Request a Fixed Quote
More than 100 items, multiple sites or portfolio testing Quoted by appliance quantity, premises type, access, testing complexity and travel requirements. Request a Quote
Included Agreed visual inspection, suitable electrical tests, labels and digital records.
Additional items Items above the selected package are priced and confirmed in the written quotation.
Not included Repairs, replacement parts, fixed-wiring checks and specialist tests unless agreed.
VAT status Electro Conduct is not VAT registered. No VAT is charged on the displayed prices.

Prices shown are indicative until the appliance count, site details and access arrangements are checked and confirmed in writing. The confirmed price is the amount payable because Electro Conduct is not VAT registered and does not add VAT. Parking, Congestion Charge, out-of-hours attendance or specialist testing costs are confirmed before booking where applicable. Additional work is never added without approval.

Professional PAT Testing across London

Clear Checks. Itemised Records. Practical Next Steps.

Send your postcode, premises type, estimated appliance count, preferred date and any access requirements.

Why PAT Testing Matters

Electrical Appliance Risks PAT Testing Can Help Identify

PAT Testing combines a careful visual inspection with appropriate electrical tests to assess whether in-service electrical equipment is safe for continued use.

Warning signs: damaged plugs, frayed cables, cracked casings, exposed wires, loose parts, heat marks, burning smells or intermittent operation should not be ignored.

Personal safety Electric Shock and Burn Risks

Damage to an appliance, its plug or its flexible cable can expose users, tenants, employees and visitors to electrical danger.

  • Split insulation, exposed conductors or damaged plugs can increase the risk of electric shock and electrical burns.
  • Earth-continuity faults in Class I equipment may prevent accessible metal parts from being safely connected to earth if a fault develops.
  • Crushed flexes, loose connections or unsuitable repairs can make an appliance unsafe even when it still appears to operate.
Fire prevention Fire and Overheating Risks

Heat damage can develop around plugs, flexible cables, connections and appliance casings before a serious incident occurs.

  • Loose plug terminals or damaged connections can create resistance, excessive heat, arcing and burning.
  • Incorrect fuse ratings or damaged flexible cables may reduce the protection intended for the appliance and its lead.
  • Scorching, melting, unusual heat or burning smells indicate that equipment should be taken out of use and investigated.
Condition and environment Wear, Misuse and Environmental Damage

The likelihood of deterioration depends on how equipment is used, moved, stored and exposed to its working environment.

  • Hand-held and frequently moved equipment is more likely to be dropped, pulled, trapped or damaged during use.
  • Wet, dusty, hot or demanding environments may require more frequent inspection than low-risk office conditions.
  • Previous faults and inspection results should be used to review how often future checks and tests are needed.
Duties and records Legal Duties, Evidence and Business Continuity

PAT Testing can support a risk-based electrical maintenance programme, but the legal duty is to keep electrical equipment safe rather than test every item automatically once a year.

  • Workplace electrical equipment must be maintained so far as necessary to prevent danger, with checks and testing selected according to risk.
  • There is no universal statutory annual PAT interval for every appliance; frequency depends on the equipment, environment, use and previous findings.
  • Labels, appliance registers and test records provide useful evidence of maintenance and help plan repairs, replacements and future inspection dates.

Safety and legal information informed by HSE PAT Testing guidance , HSE electrical equipment maintenance guidance , GOV.UK rented-sector guidance and Rent Smart Wales .

Updated PAT Testing Guidance

PAT Testing Questions, Answered Clearly

Practical answers about appliance safety, testing intervals, legal duties, landlord responsibilities, pricing, records and failed equipment in London.

Risk-based electrical maintenance — not automatic annual testing

The law requires electrical equipment to be maintained to prevent danger. Inspection and testing frequency should reflect the equipment, environment, use and previous results. Separate statutory requirements apply to landlord-provided equipment in England’s social rented sector.

01 How much does PAT Testing cost in London?

Our indicative PAT Testing packages start from £69 for up to 10 items, £99 for up to 25 items, £139 for up to 50 items and £219 for up to 100 items. Larger inventories, multiple sites, restricted access, out-of-hours work, parking and Congestion Charge requirements are quoted separately. Electro Conduct is not VAT registered, so no VAT is charged on the displayed price. The final quotation is confirmed after the appliance count and site details have been checked.

02 What is PAT Testing?

PAT Testing is the commonly used name for the in-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment. It normally combines a careful visual examination with electrical tests selected for the appliance type and protection class. The visual inspection is essential because damage to plugs, flexible cables, casings and connections may not be identified by test equipment alone. The aim is to decide whether each item is safe for continued use and to record any action required.

03 Is PAT Testing a legal requirement in England and Wales?

There is no single law requiring every electrical appliance to receive a formal PAT test. The legal duty is to maintain electrical equipment so that it does not cause danger. PAT Testing can form part of a suitable maintenance programme, particularly where equipment is moved, heavily used or exposed to damage. The appropriate combination of user checks, visual inspections and electrical testing should be selected according to the equipment, its environment, how it is used and previous findings.

04 Does every appliance need PAT Testing every year?

No. Annual PAT Testing is not a universal legal requirement. HSE guidance recommends a risk-based approach rather than automatically testing every item at the same interval. A frequently moved cleaner, kitchen appliance or power tool may need attention sooner than a monitor or printer kept in a dry, low-risk office. The next inspection or test date should reflect the appliance type, working environment, frequency of use, likelihood of damage and the results of previous checks.

05 Which electrical items can be included in PAT Testing?

The agreed inventory may include portable and movable appliances, extension leads, detachable power leads, office equipment, kitchen appliances, cleaning equipment, hand-held tools and landlord-supplied electrical items. Some larger or less portable equipment may also fall within an in-service inspection programme. Battery-only products are normally outside the electrical test itself, although their mains chargers may be included. Fixed wiring, consumer units and circuits require an EICR or another appropriate fixed-installation service.

06 What checks are carried out during PAT Testing?

Each item first receives a visual inspection of the plug, fuse, flexible cable, strain relief, casing, controls and signs of overheating, contamination or unsuitable repairs. Electrical tests are then selected according to the equipment class and condition. These may include earth-continuity, insulation-resistance, protective-conductor or touch-current tests and polarity checks on leads. Not every test is suitable for every appliance, so the competent tester chooses an appropriate method and records the outcome.

07 How long does a PAT Testing appointment take?

The appointment length depends mainly on the number and type of appliances, how easily they can be accessed and whether equipment must be shut down before testing. A small, organised inventory can usually be completed much faster than a busy office, school, hospitality venue or multi-floor commercial site. Damaged, unidentified or specialist equipment may require additional time. We estimate the likely duration after receiving the item count, site layout and any access or operational restrictions.

08 Will appliances need to be switched off or unplugged?

Yes. Most items must be switched off and temporarily disconnected so the plug, cable and appliance can be inspected and the appropriate tests completed safely. Computers, servers, tills, alarms and other sensitive equipment should be shut down correctly by the customer before they are disconnected. Please tell us in advance about medical equipment, security systems, refrigeration, business-critical devices or anything that cannot be interrupted so the scope and timing can be planned.

09 What happens if an appliance fails PAT Testing?

An item that is not safe for continued use should be clearly identified and removed from service or otherwise controlled so that it is not used accidentally. The appliance record will explain the failed inspection or test and the reason for the outcome. Repair, replacement parts and retesting are not automatically included in the original testing price. Where appropriate, Electro Conduct can provide separate advice or a quotation before any repair or replacement work is undertaken.

10 Are PAT labels and test records legally required?

For most workplace equipment there is no general legal requirement to attach a PAT label or keep a formal test record, but both are useful management tools. Labels help users identify the item and its status, while an appliance register helps monitor results, failures, repairs and future review dates. Separate rules apply to some regulated settings. For example, social landlords in England must obtain and retain records for checks on electrical equipment they provide under the tenancy.

11 Does brand-new electrical equipment need PAT Testing?

New equipment should normally have been supplied in a safe condition and does not automatically require a formal PAT test before first use. A visual check is still recommended to confirm that the item, plug, cable and packaging have not been damaged during delivery or installation. The item can then be added to the appliance register and included in the organisation's risk-based maintenance programme. Client policies, insurance conditions or specific site rules may require additional checks.

12 What are the PAT Testing duties for landlords in England?

Private landlords should ensure that electrical appliances they supply are safe, but there is no universal annual PAT interval for every privately rented property. Social landlords in England have additional statutory duties for landlord-provided electrical equipment: it must be checked by a qualified person at least every five years, with an appropriate record retained and supplied where required. Unsafe equipment must be made safe or replaced within the applicable legal timescale.

13 What is the position on PAT Testing for landlords in Wales?

Rent Smart Wales states that PAT Testing is one way to demonstrate that landlord-supplied electrical appliances are safe, but it is not the only possible method. Properly evidenced visual checks during routine inspections may also be appropriate, depending on the equipment and circumstances. Landlords and agents should maintain a clear safety process, act promptly where damage is identified and keep suitable evidence of the checks, repairs or replacements used to manage appliance safety.

14 Is PAT Testing the same as an EICR?

No. PAT Testing concerns electrical equipment and appliances, including their plugs and flexible leads. An EICR assesses the fixed electrical installation, such as consumer units, circuits, fixed wiring, sockets, switches, earthing and protective devices. One service does not replace the other. A landlord, business or property manager may need both services where the premises contain fixed electrical systems and appliances supplied for tenants, employees, customers or visitors.

15 Who is competent to carry out PAT Testing?

The person carrying out combined inspection and testing must have sufficient knowledge, training and experience to select the correct tests, use the equipment safely and interpret the results properly. In a low-risk environment, a trained member of staff may be able to perform basic user checks or visual inspections. Formal electrical testing requires a higher level of competence, suitable calibrated equipment and an understanding of appliance classes, test limits, faults and safe isolation.

16 What information is needed for a PAT Testing quote?

Please provide the postcode, estimated number of appliances, property or business type, number of floors or separate areas and the preferred appointment time. Mention any computers, commercial kitchen equipment, tools, extension leads, landlord-supplied appliances or items that cannot be switched off. Parking restrictions, the Congestion Charge Zone, access arrangements and out-of-hours requirements should also be included. Clear information allows us to confirm the correct package or provide a tailored fixed quotation.

Workplace guidance follows the HSE PAT Testing guidance . Landlord information for England refers to current GOV.UK rented-sector guidance , while the Wales-specific explanation follows Rent Smart Wales .

Need a PAT Testing price for your property or workplace?

Send the postcode, estimated appliance count, property or business type and any access, parking or operational requirements for an accurate quotation.