What equipment needs PAT testing?
PAT testing is often assumed to cover everything electrical in a building. It does not. It covers a specific category - portable and movable equipment that plugs in - and knowing where that line sits saves both missed items and wasted effort.
PAT testing covers portable and movable electrical equipment that connects to the mains by a plug and socket - anything from kettles, computers and extension leads to power tools and floor cleaners. It applies to both earthed (Class I) and double-insulated (Class II) appliances. Fixed wiring and permanently connected equipment are not PAT tested; they are covered by periodic inspection of the electrical installation instead.
What counts as portable or movable equipment
The simple test is the plug: if a piece of equipment connects to the supply through a plug and socket and can be moved, it is in scope. That includes handheld tools, desktop appliances, floor-standing equipment on castors, and the leads and extension blocks that power them. It also includes equipment that is rarely moved but still plugged in, such as a desktop PC or a fridge.
Class I and Class II
PAT covers both protection classes, though the tests differ slightly:
| Class I (earthed): safety relies on an earth connection - kettles, toasters, most power tools, many appliances. These get an earth-continuity test plus insulation testing. | ||
| Class II (double-insulated): safety relies on extra insulation rather than an earth, marked with a double-square symbol - many chargers, hairdryers, some power tools. These get insulation testing. | ||
Commonly tested items
- Kettles, microwaves, toasters and other kitchen appliances
- Computers, monitors, printers and chargers
- Extension leads, RCD adaptors and multi-socket blocks
- Power tools, both mains and battery-charger units
- Vacuum cleaners, floor scrubbers and other cleaning equipment
- Portable heaters, fans and desk lamps
What is not PAT tested
The building's fixed electrical installation - socket outlets, distribution boards, hard-wired equipment and the wiring itself - is not PAT tested. It is covered instead by periodic inspection and testing of the installation, a separate exercise carried out by a registered electrician. Confusing the two is common, so it is worth being clear: PAT is for the things that plug in; periodic inspection is for what they plug into.
Arkomax PAT tests portable or movable equipment for sites across Ireland.
See our PAT testing service, and the guide to how often PAT testing is required.
Frequently asked questions
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Do extension leads and chargers need PAT testing?
Yes. Extension leads, adaptors and multi-socket blocks are among the most frequently faulty items and are firmly in scope. Chargers and power supplies are tested too, usually as Class II equipment. -
Does new equipment need PAT testing?
New equipment is supplied in a safe condition, so it does not need an immediate combined test, but it should be visually checked before use and then brought into your normal inspection schedule. -
Is fixed wiring covered by PAT testing?
No. Fixed wiring, socket outlets and hard-wired equipment are covered by periodic inspection and testing of the installation by a registered electrician, not by PAT.
Arkomax - one partner for facility maintenance
Arkomax delivers facility maintenance, services and supplies to businesses across Ireland, from PAT testing and emergency lighting to specialist cleaning, protective coatings, flooring and full office fit-outs.
We work with major names in retail, food, logistics and hospitality, and our UV Line Marking division handles floor marking nationwide.