What to Expect During a PAT Testing Visit

By adminPAT Testing

Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) is an important part of keeping your workplace safe and compliant. If you’ve booked a PAT testing visit, you might be wondering what will actually happen on the day. The good news is that the process is straightforward—and with a little preparation, it won’t cause too much disruption.

Here’s a step-by-step look at what to expect during a PAT testing visit.

1. Arrival and Introduction

Your PAT engineer will introduce themselves, explain the process, and confirm which areas or appliances are to be tested. If you’ve provided an inventory in advance, this is where they’ll match it up against what they see onsite.

Tip: Make sure someone is available to guide them around the workplace.

2. Visual Inspection

Before any electrical testing, each appliance is checked visually. This identifies over 90% of potential faults, such as:

  • Cracked or damaged plugs
  • Frayed or split cables
  • Signs of overheating or burn marks
  • Loose connections

If something looks unsafe, it may not proceed to the electrical test.

3. Electrical Testing

For appliances that pass the visual inspection, the engineer will use a PAT tester to carry out electrical safety checks. These tests may include:

  • Earth continuity test (for Class I equipment)
  • Insulation resistance test
  • Polarity checks
  • Functional checks (e.g. does it power on correctly)

These tests confirm that the appliance is safe to use and meets electrical safety standards.

4. Labelling Appliances

Each appliance that passes is fitted with a label showing:

  • Pass/Fail status
  • Date of test
  • Next test due date
  • Asset or appliance ID number

This makes it easy to track when each appliance was last tested.

5. Minor Repairs (if needed)

Some engineers can carry out small fixes on the spot, such as:

  • Replacing fuses
  • Fitting a new plug
  • Tightening loose connections

This avoids unnecessary downtime and saves the cost of replacing the appliance.

6. Recording the Results

All test results are logged in a digital or paper format. At the end of the visit, you’ll receive:

  • A full report listing all appliances tested
  • A PAT testing certificate for your records and insurers
  • A note of any appliances that failed, with advice on what to do next

7. Duration of the Visit

The time it takes depends on how many appliances need testing and how accessible they are. As a rough guide:

  • Small offices: 1–2 hours
  • Medium workplaces: Half a day
  • Large sites: A full day or more

8. After the Visit

Once testing is complete, you can expect:

  • Peace of mind that your equipment is safe
  • Compliance with health & safety standards
  • A clear schedule for when your next PAT test is due

Final Thoughts

A PAT testing visit doesn’t have to be disruptive. With a professional engineer, clear preparation, and accessible equipment, the process is quick, efficient, and helps keep your workplace safe.

👉 Thinking about booking your next PAT test? Now you know exactly what to expect.