PAT stands for Portable Appliance Testing. It is a term that’s used when electrical appliances need examining to determine whether or not they are safe to use.
The examination includes a visual check and an electrical check.
It is important to PAT test your electrical equipment from time to time. Keeping your electrical equipment in good condition will lower the risk of accidents in the workplace.
It will also ensure your electronics don’t develop problems and last longer.
If there is an accident in the workplace, and it is found you have not complied with safety regulations, you can be imprisoned or fined. Your business insurance might stipulate that PAT testing is carried to comply with your insurance conditions.
The best people to carry out these checks are electricians. An electrician will have the tools to do the job and the knowledge to understand the test results.
In this guide, we’ll tell you about the average charges for PAT testing, what affects the costs of PAT testing, how you can save money, how to find and hire an electrician and what questions to ask them. Finally, we’ll answer some frequently asked questions.
Topics
How Much Does PAT Testing Cost?
The table below shows you how much an electrician will charge to test items up to 100, between 100 and 149 and between 150 and 200 items.
| Number of Items | Estimated Cost | Time Required |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 100 | £50 to £100 | 3 to 4 hours |
| 100 to 149 | £95 to £130 | 4 to 8 hours |
| 150 to 200 | £130 to £150 | 8 hours + |
Most electricians will charge between £1 and £2 per item, but they might have a minimum charge of between £50 and £100 to cover their costs.
If, however, you have a large number of electronic items the electrician will charge on a sliding scale and the cost per item is likely to be less than £1.
If you need an electrician, use HouseholdQuotes. We’ll then find local electricians to give you no-obligation quotes for PAT testing.
Click To Get QuotesWhat Affects the Costs of PAT Testing?
Several factors could affect the costs of PAT testing and we take a closer look at these factors below so you know what to take into account when setting a budget.
Number of Items
If you have a lot of items, the cost will be cheaper per item, and you will avoid the electrician’s minimum charge. You could save yourself between £50 and £66 on 100 to 200 items – see the table above for pricing details.
Type of Electrical Equipment
If you have standard 13 amp plugs, the cost for PAT testing is likely to stay at between £1 and £2 per item.
However, if the electrician needs to test industrial plugs and adaptors, prices can rise to between £3 and £4 per item.
Additional Services
Once the items have been tested, the electrician may need to replace plugs and fuses or rewire plugs. This service is extra, and you’ll be expected to pay between £1 and £5 for each plug, fuse, or rewiring job.
Location
You will almost always pay more if you live in London and the South East of England. The cost of living is higher in these locations.
The Midlands and the North of England are usually cheaper for services.
How Can I Save Money on PAT Testing?
Ask for a bulk discount if your office has a large number of electrical appliances. This could help you lower the overall cost.
If you are looking for an electrician HouseholdQuotes can help you. All you need to do is fill in the online form.
Tell us briefly what you need, and we’ll find you electricians in your area to give you no-obligation quotes for PAT testing.
Click To Get QuotesWhat Does PAT Testing Involve?
The first thing to do is a visual test of each item. This includes:
- Checking the casing to see if it is cracked or broken
- Checking if the wiring has come out of the plug?
- Is the sheath which contains the wiring split with the wiring inside showing?
- Is the plug itself in good condition without being cracked or broken?
Next, take your PAT testing machine. These are portable and easy to carry around.
Take the item you want to test and check the class of the appliance.
Class 1, 2, and 3 Items
If the appliance is metal or has metal parts attach the clip which comes with the tester to a metal part.
Plug the appliance into the PAT tester and turn it on. The machine will test earth continuity and insulation resistance.
The machine will show a pass or fail.
If you have plastic appliances you needn’t use the clip and should press the button that says plastic on the PAT tester.
IEC, Mains Adaptors and Computer Leads
Plug the lead, or both ends if it has two, into the PAT tester. It will check for earth continuity, insulation resistance and polarity (whether the lead is wired up correctly).
If all your items pass, then you should make a record of the date and the appliance. If the appliance fails ten the electrician will investigate further.
The item might need a new fuse or a rewire.
How Do I Find and Hire an Electrician?
Ask your staff at work. They may have had electrical work done recently and can recommend an electrician.
Also, ask friends and family for trusted recommendations.
If you need an electrician quickly then use HouseholdQuotes. All you need to do is fill in the online form.
Then tell us briefly what you need. We’ll find local electricians to visit your workplace and give you no-obligation quotes for PAT testing.
Click To Get QuotesEnsuring the Professional Is the Right Fit
Before you talk about quotes to an electrician, ask them a few questions. This will give you an idea of their expertise and experience.
Write down the questions and ask each electrician the same things.
Make sure you get quotes that include the same things. That way you can easily compare the quotes you’ve got.
Always get a quotation in writing. If the work starts and something else is added, make sure it is added to the quotation.
If you do this then there won’t be any nasty surprises at the end of the job.
- What experience do you have? It’s always useful to know if they are a well-established company or they are just starting out. You might find that a newer company is slightly cheaper, or you may prefer to pay more for experience.
- Are you a member of any trade associations? Trade associations will only grant membership to tradespeople with a good work record. They should also have a high standard of workmanship. You might find some electricians are members of the Electrical Contractors Association (ECA).
- Do you have insurance? Is your public liability insurance up to date? Public liability insurance is vital for all tradespeople as it protects them and you from any injury or damage claims should an accident occur during PAT testing.
- Do you have a website? It isn’t necessary to have a website, but they are useful. Most websites have photographs of previous jobs and testimonials from customers. If they don’t have a website, ask if they have a portfolio with customer feedback and photographs.
Regulations make it an employers’ responsibility to keep staff safe. By carrying out PAT testing at regular intervals you are complying with the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989.
By PAT testing the electrical equipment in the workplace you are showing your staff you care about their health and safety. You are also demonstrating your desire to maintain your equipment so that is functional and safe for staff to use.
When you need to find an electrician, HouseholdQuotes can help you. All you have to do is fill in the online form.
Tell us briefly what you need. We’ll then find electricians in your area to give you no-obligation quotes for PAT testing.
Click To Get QuotesFinal Checklist
Use the below checklist to follow the best steps to hire an electrician for PAT testing:
- Ask the person responsible for health and safety to make up a list of portable electrical appliances or give you a list they have already on file
- Work out the number of items that need testing
- Look for an electrician (HouseholdQuotes can help you)
- Compare quotes
- Choose an electrician
- Arrange for the PAT testing to be carried out
- Make sure the electrician can easily access every item
Click To Get QuotesFrequently Asked Questions
How Often Should I Conduct PAT Testing?
PAT testing should be done bearing in mind the type, environment where the appliances are used.
For example, handheld equipment should be visually tested every six months and PAT tested once a year. This is in a low or medium risk environment, such as an office.
In a high-risk environment such as a building site, handheld equipment should be visually inspected on a weekly basis and PAT tested every six months.
Fixed equipment should be visually tested every two years or annually, depending on its environment. It equipment should be tested annually in a low to medium risk environment, or monthly in a high-risk environment and PAT tested quarterly.
Offices, shops, and hotels are low risk. Schools and hospitals are medium risk. Industrial buildings and construction site are high-risk sites.
Should I Test New Electrical Equipment?
Is PAT Testing Legally Required?
However, it is not a legal requirement to have your workplace electronics PAT tested. Employers have a legal responsibility to ensure all electrical equipment within the workplace is safe to use and well-maintained.
I Understand There Are Electrical Classes in PAT Testing, What Are They?
Class 1 – equipment that is protected by an earth wire and has basic insulation. Typical class 1 appliances are:
- Kettles
- Microwaves
- Welding equipment
- Desktop computers
- Laptop cables
- Mobile phone chargers
- Photocopiers
- Vending machines
- Electric heaters
Class 2 – electrical equipment that isn’t dependent on an earth wire for protection. Typical class 2 appliances found in an office or on a building site are:
- Desktop printers
- TV’s
- Audio-Visual equipment
- Angle grinders
- Hedge trimmers
- Drills
- Lawnmowers
Class 3 – low voltage items. Typical appliances are:
- Laptops
- Cameras
- Torches
Electrical cables are tested separately.
Any electrical items in the workplace that has a lead and a plug should be tested.
Can PAT Testing Be Carried Out by an Employee?
- Has experience in electrical work
- Has an adequate knowledge about electrical work
- Understands the regulations about electricity in the workplace
- Knows what hazards can arise while working with electricity
- Knows when it is and is not safe to continue working
- Has a clear understanding of the precautions to take before and during a PAT test
- Has practical experience working with workplace electronics and understands the systems
If you have a person in your workplace that is competent in working with electricity you can send them to do a PAT course. Courses vary between one and three days.
A City and Guilds course, for example, is held over two days at various locations and currently costs £295.
Do I Only Have to Have Portable Items Tested?
There are seven categories of appliances to test, and these are:
- Hand-held appliances – as the name suggests these are appliances you hold in your hand such as an angle grinder.
- Cables and chargers – IEC leads, extension cables, computer cables and cable reels.
- Fixed appliances – appliances that are fixed so they can’t be moved.
- Portable appliances – appliances that be carried around and plugged in at different locations.
- IT appliances – printers, photocopiers, laptops, desktops, and monitors.
- Stationary appliances – large equipment, over 18 kilos that can’t easily be moved such as vending machines.
- Moveable appliances – equipment under 18 kilos that have a place in the office, but can be moved if necessary.