PAT Testing FAQ

No - despite the fact that the law requires each and every electrical appliance, circuit and socket to be extensively tested and guaranteed as safe by those responsible for it, PAT testing itself is not a legal requirement. The law does not narrow things down to have these electrical circuits etc. must be tested, who should test them, how often or to what extent - it simply demands they be tested and safe. As such, the PAT testing standard and tools like the Seaward Primetest 50 have become the UK's official standard for electrical appliance and circuit testing, which in turn has become interpreted as practically a legal requirement, even though technically speaking it isn't.

The law dictates that each and every electrical circuit, socket and appliance be fully tested and ensures of safety for those using them. As such, any person or business responsible for the supply of electrical products or supplies, any working environments with the presence of electrical products or sockets and any landlords/building owners letting their properties out to others must ensure that all of their electrical features are fully tested. Again, the law doesn't specify that this must be done by PAT testing, but there is essentially no other way of achieving the same guaranteed standard.

This is something that will depend entirely on the product or circuit itself, where it is house, how often it is used, its age and so on and so forth. While the law again doesn't put any restrictions on PAT testing frequency - just as long as all is safe - the general rule of thumb is to have all such items and features tested at least once per year.

Technically yes - a surge of new online PAT equipment specialists have made it more affordable than ever before to invest in the most stunningly advanced and easy to use PAT testers the market has ever seen - a prime example being the Primetest 50 now showcased at http://www.pat-services.co.uk/seaward-primetest-50-tester-255.htm. However, the actual task itself is rather complex and cannot be carried out without any prior knowledge or training, therefore should not be attempted blindly for the first time by anyone.

Once perhaps, but now even the most industry-class kits capable of testing the full spectrum of devices and appliances can be picked up affordably by any business of practically any size online and with ease.