What Appliances Need PAT Testing? UK Checklist & Exemptions

If you're responsible for a workplace, rental property, or commercial premises, you've probably asked what appliances need PAT testing at some point. The answer isn't always straightforward. There's no single official list, and the rules depend on the type of equipment, where it's used, and who's at risk if something goes wrong.

PAT testing, Portable Appliance Testing, is the routine inspection and testing of electrical equipment to check it's safe to use. While it's not technically a legal requirement in itself, employers and landlords have a legal duty to ensure electrical equipment is maintained and safe. PAT testing is the most widely accepted way to prove you've met that duty. Skip it, and you're exposed to liability, insurance issues, and genuine safety risks.

At Electrical Testing London, we carry out PAT testing across homes, offices, shops, and commercial sites throughout London and the South East. This guide draws on that hands-on experience to give you a clear, practical checklist of which appliances need testing, which ones don't, and where the common grey areas sit, so you can stay compliant without overthinking it.

What PAT testing covers and what it does not

PAT testing covers portable and transportable electrical equipment, meaning anything that uses mains electricity and can be moved, plugged in, or carried. A qualified engineer carries out two types of checks: a visual inspection and, where appropriate, an electrical test using specialist equipment. The visual check looks for damaged cables, cracked plugs, burn marks, and signs of misuse. The electrical test measures earth continuity, insulation resistance, and in some cases touch current, depending on the class of the appliance.

What the testing actually involves

Every PAT test starts with a thorough visual inspection, which often catches more faults than the electronic test itself. The engineer checks the plug, the cable, the appliance body, and any visible connections. After that, a PAT tester device runs automated electrical checks. Results are recorded and the appliance receives a pass or fail label. A pass label confirms the item was safe on the date it was tested, not that it will remain safe indefinitely.

A PAT test is a snapshot in time. Equipment can develop faults between tests, which is why regular retesting and visual spot checks between scheduled sessions both matter.

The specific tests applied depend on the equipment class. Class I equipment, which relies on an earth connection for safety, requires an earth continuity check and an insulation resistance test. Class II equipment, double-insulated items like many power tools and kitchen appliances, skips the earth test but still needs an insulation resistance check. Getting the class wrong can mean running the incorrect tests and missing real faults, which is one reason why understanding what appliances need PAT testing, and in what way, makes a practical difference.

What PAT testing does not cover

PAT testing does not assess the fixed wiring in your building. Sockets, fuse boards, lighting circuits, and the wiring inside walls fall under a separate regime covered by an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). If you only carry out PAT testing and ignore the fixed installation, you are leaving a significant gap in your overall electrical safety compliance.

Battery-operated equipment that never connects to mains power falls outside the scope of PAT testing entirely, as do low-voltage items like USB-charged devices that run below 50 volts AC. Equipment that has been permanently hardwired into the building, such as a built-in oven connected directly to the circuit without a plug, also sits outside PAT testing scope and would instead be assessed during an EICR or other fixed installation inspection.

What appliances need PAT testing in the UK

When people ask what appliances need PAT testing, the practical answer is: any mains-powered electrical item that can be moved or unplugged and is used in a workplace, rental property, or commercial setting. That covers a much wider range of equipment than most people initially expect, from a kettle in a staff kitchen to a power drill on a construction site.

Workplace and office equipment

Most offices contain dozens of items that qualify for PAT testing. The following categories cover the most common ones found across typical commercial and professional environments:

• Desktop computers, monitors, keyboards with USB hubs, and docking stations
• Laptops, tablets, and their mains chargers and power adaptors
• Printers, photocopiers, scanners, and shredders
• Extension leads, multi-socket adaptors, and power strips
• Desk fans, electric heaters, and air conditioning units with plugs
• Telephone equipment and switchboard units connected to mains power
• Vending machines, microwave ovens, kettles, and toasters in communal areas
• Projectors, monitors, and audio-visual equipment in meeting rooms

Extension leads are among the most commonly failed items during testing because they often receive heavy use and are rarely inspected between tests.

Tools, catering, and portable items

High-risk environments like construction sites, workshops, and commercial kitchens typically contain equipment that requires more frequent testing. Power tools, including drills, grinders, sanders, and saws, all qualify. In catering settings, freestanding equipment such as food mixers, refrigerators, heated displays, and dishwashers with standard plugs all fall within scope. Cleaning equipment, including vacuum cleaners, floor polishers, and steam cleaners, is also included. If it plugs into a socket and someone can move it, you should treat it as requiring PAT testing.

What is usually exempt from PAT testing

Knowing what appliances need PAT testing helps, but understanding the exemptions saves you equal effort. Not every electrical item in your building requires formal testing, and applying PAT testing to clearly exempt items wastes time and resource without adding any safety benefit. The key is identifying the difference between items that fall within scope and those that sit genuinely outside it, so your testing programme focuses on the right equipment.

Fixed and hardwired installations

Any electrical equipment that is permanently wired into the building's fixed installation does not fall under PAT testing. These items are assessed during an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), not a PAT inspection. If you're unsure whether an appliance is hardwired or simply recessed behind a panel with a concealed plug, your engineer can confirm this at the start of any scheduled visit.

Common examples of hardwired items that fall outside PAT testing scope include:

• Built-in ovens and hardwired hobs
• Ceiling-mounted extractor fans and fixed air conditioning units
• Hardwired emergency lighting systems
• Fixed intruder alarm panels

Never assume an item is exempt without checking. Misclassifying a plugged-in appliance as hardwired is one of the most common errors that leaves equipment untested.

Low-voltage and battery-powered items

Equipment that runs entirely on battery power and never connects to a mains supply sits outside PAT testing scope. This covers items like wireless mice, remote controls, and standalone torches. New equipment still in sealed, undamaged manufacturer packaging is also generally considered exempt, though it should enter a formal testing schedule as soon as it goes into regular use.

USB-charged devices such as smartphones and portable speakers operate below 50 volts AC and do not require PAT testing themselves. However, if a USB charger or power adaptor connects directly to a mains socket, that charger is a portable appliance and does fall within scope.

How to decide frequency for your property or workplace

No single fixed schedule applies to every property or workplace when it comes to how often electrical equipment should be tested. The HSE and IET guidance both make clear that testing frequency should reflect the risk, not follow an arbitrary calendar. The right interval for a site depends on the environment, how equipment is used, and who is using it.

Risk level and environment

High-risk environments require more frequent testing because equipment experiences greater wear and is more likely to develop faults between inspections. Construction sites, for example, carry a recommended retest interval of three months for portable tools, reflecting the harsh conditions and constant movement involved. In contrast, low-risk environments like offices typically work on a two-to-four year cycle for IT equipment and a one-to-two year cycle for portable appliances in common areas. If your workplace sits somewhere between these two extremes, your engineer can help you assess the appropriate interval based on what the equipment goes through day to day.

When in doubt, err on the side of shorter intervals rather than longer ones. A failed appliance in a high-footfall area puts far more people at risk than the cost of an additional test.

Type of use and user

Second-hand or borrowed equipment always warrants a test before it enters service, regardless of what was tested last or when. Equipment used by members of the public, such as charging points in hotels or appliances in rented accommodation, also calls for more regular inspection than equivalent items in a controlled office environment. When you review what appliances need PAT testing across your property, factor in both how intensively each item is used and whether untrained people regularly handle it, since both directly affect how quickly faults are likely to develop.

Landlords and businesses legal duties in the UK

Neither landlords nor businesses are legally required to carry out PAT testing by name, but both groups face statutory obligations that PAT testing directly fulfils. The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require employers to maintain all electrical systems and equipment in a safe condition. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 add a duty to assess and manage risk. PAT testing is the most widely recognised way to demonstrate compliance with both.

What businesses must do

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, employers have a duty of care to employees and anyone else who enters the premises. If faulty equipment causes an injury and you hold no testing records, proving you took reasonable steps to maintain safety becomes very difficult. The HSE expects businesses to operate a formal maintenance regime for electrical equipment, and inspectors may ask to see records during a visit.

Keeping clear PAT testing records is as important as carrying out the tests themselves. Without documentation, you cannot demonstrate compliance.

What landlords must do

Landlords in England must provide a valid Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) every five years under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020. PAT testing sits alongside the EICR as a separate responsibility, particularly relevant for furnished properties where you supply electrical appliances to tenants. To identify what appliances need PAT testing in a rental property, start with every mains-powered item you provide:

• Washing machines, tumble dryers, and dishwashers
• Fridges and freestanding freezers
• Microwave ovens and electric hobs
• Bedside lamps and floor-standing lights
• Portable heaters and electric fans

Failing to maintain supplied appliances exposes you to liability if a fault causes harm, and it weakens any defence you might rely on if a tenant makes a claim.

What to do next

By now you have a clear picture of what appliances need PAT testing, which items fall outside scope, and what your legal position is as a landlord or business in the UK. The next step is turning that knowledge into action. Start by walking through your property or workplace and listing every mains-powered portable item you supply or that your staff use regularly. Group them by risk level and note when each was last tested.

If you have no testing records, or if your last round of testing was more than two years ago, treat that as a prompt to book a session rather than delay further. Outdated or missing records leave you exposed if an incident occurs, and the cost of testing is small compared to the liability risk of doing nothing.

Book a PAT testing quote with Electrical Testing London and our qualified engineers will assess your site and get you compliant quickly.