Portable Appliance Testing (PAT Testing)
Professional portable appliance testing for schools, commercial buildings, offices, landlords and multi-site estates.
Keep your site safe, compliant and operational with structured PAT testing, clear reporting and minimal disruption.
Faulty portable appliances can lead to electrical hazards, fire risks, failed audits and insurance issues. At CSE Electrical, we deliver practical PAT testing services designed around real sites, real usage and real compliance pressures.
What Is Portable Appliance Testing?
Portable Appliance Testing, often known as PAT testing, is the process of inspecting and testing portable electrical equipment to help confirm it is safe for continued use.
This includes both visual inspection and electrical testing where required. It is a practical way to identify damaged appliances, worn cables, unsafe plugs and other faults before they turn into bigger problems.
Typical checks include:
- Visual inspection of plugs, cables and appliances
- Earth continuity testing
- Insulation resistance testing
- Polarity checks where appropriate
- Pass/fail labelling and clear reporting
Why PAT Testing Matters
PAT testing is not just about ticking boxes. It helps you maintain control over electrical safety across your site, reduce avoidable risk and keep records in place for audits, insurers and internal compliance processes.
Is PAT Testing a Legal Requirement?
PAT testing itself is not a specific legal requirement, but employers and duty holders must ensure electrical equipment is maintained in a safe condition.
That means a risk-based approach is the right one. The testing frequency and level of inspection should reflect the type of equipment, the environment, and how the item is used.
In other words: not every site needs the same regime, but every site needs control.
Who We Work With
We provide PAT testing services for a wide range of non-domestic and commercial environments, including:
Our PAT Testing Service
Our service is designed to make compliance easier, clearer and less disruptive.
Types of Equipment We Test
We test a wide range of portable appliances, including:
- Kettles and kitchen appliances
- Extension leads and adaptors
- Computers, monitors and office equipment
- Chargers and small electrical items
- Portable heaters and fans
- Cleaning equipment and vacuums
- Power tools and maintenance equipment
- Audio visual equipment
How Often Should PAT Testing Be Done?
There is no blanket answer. The right frequency depends on:
- The type of appliance
- How often it is used
- Whether it is moved regularly
- The environment it is used in
- Its condition and risk profile
A structured, risk-based programme is far more effective than simply testing everything on autopilot once a year.
Related Electrical Compliance Services
Portable appliance testing is one part of a wider compliance picture. Explore our related services below:
