What Counts as an Appliance for PAT Testing?

What Counts as an Appliance for PAT Testing?

One of the most common questions small businesses ask is: what actually counts as an appliance for PAT testing?

It is easy to think only obvious items such as kettles, microwaves, printers and computers need to be included. But in many workplaces, there are plenty of smaller or less obvious electrical items that can be missed.

If an item plugs into the mains supply, is moved around, handled regularly, used by staff or customers, or supplied for tenants, it may need to be considered as part of your PAT testing and electrical safety routine.

PAT testing is not just for large appliances

Many people associate PAT testing with larger electrical items, but smaller appliances and accessories can be just as important.

A phone charger, desk lamp, card machine, extension lead, small printer or portable heater may not look like a major item, but it can still become damaged through normal use.

Our guide What Appliances Need PAT Testing? gives a wider overview of the types of electrical equipment businesses and landlords should think about.

Common items that may need to be included

The exact list will depend on your premises, but common items can include:

• computers, monitors and desktop equipment
• printers, scanners and office machines
• phone chargers and laptop chargers
• kettles, microwaves, toasters and coffee machines
• fridges, freezers and small kitchen appliances
• desk lamps, floor lamps and display lighting
• card machines, tills and payment terminals
• portable heaters and fans
• vacuum cleaners and cleaning equipment
• extension leads and multi-way adaptors
• landlord-supplied appliances in rental properties

These everyday items are often used regularly, moved around, cleaned, plugged in and unplugged, or shared by different people. That is why they should not be ignored.

Why some items get missed

Items are often missed because they blend into the background. A charger left behind a desk, a lamp in a reception area, a card machine on a counter or a small fridge in a staff room may be used every day without anyone thinking about it.

Other items may be kept in cupboards, used only occasionally, or added after the last inspection. Over time, the equipment list can become incomplete.

This is why a practical walk-through of the premises is useful. Our related guide, The Electrical Items Businesses Forget to Include in PAT Testing, looks at this in more detail.

Extension leads count too

Extension leads are one of the most common items found in offices, shops, salons, clinics, cafés and rental properties.

Because they are familiar and often inexpensive, they can be overlooked. But extension leads are moved around, plugged in and out, sometimes overloaded, and often used for several appliances at once.

They should be treated as part of the electrical equipment on site. You can read more in Why Extension Leads Need More Attention Than People Think.

What about new appliances?

New appliances should normally be supplied in a safe condition, but that does not mean they should be ignored.

A new item should still be visually checked before use and added to your appliance records. This is especially useful when businesses gradually add equipment over time.

For more on this, see Do New Appliances Need PAT Testing Straight Away?.

What about equipment brought in by staff?

In some workplaces, staff may bring in chargers, lamps, radios, heaters or other small electrical items.

If these items are being used in the workplace, they should not be ignored. The business still needs a sensible approach to managing electrical equipment used on site.

This does not mean making the process overly complicated. It simply means being aware of what is plugged in, how it is being used, and whether it is suitable and in safe condition.

If it works, does that mean it is safe?

Not always.

An appliance can still switch on and appear to work while having a damaged cable, loose plug, cracked casing, incorrect fuse, signs of overheating or another issue that needs attention.

This is covered in more detail in Functional Doesn’t Always Mean Safe.

How often should these items be checked?

There is no single fixed interval that applies to every item in every business.

The right frequency depends on the type of equipment, how often it is used, where it is used, and how likely it is to suffer damage. Equipment that is used daily or moved frequently may need more attention than items used occasionally in a low-risk area.

Our guide How Often Should PAT Testing Be Carried Out? explains this risk-based approach in more detail.

A practical approach for small businesses

The simplest approach is to make a list of the electrical items used across your premises before a PAT testing visit.

That includes:

• customer-facing areas
• staff rooms and kitchens
• offices and reception areas
• storage rooms and cupboards
• cleaning equipment
• landlord-supplied appliances
• items added since the last inspection

This helps make sure the visit is more complete and your records are clearer afterwards.

Thorn PAT Testing’s approach

Thorn PAT Testing provides local PAT testing for small businesses, landlords and workplaces across Glasgow, Bearsden, Milngavie and East Dunbartonshire.

The service includes visual inspection, testing where required, clear pass/fail labelling, and a digital report for your records. Everyday items, staff room equipment, office equipment, chargers, lamps, extension leads and landlord-supplied appliances can all be included where relevant.

You can also check our PAT testing prices before booking, or read more practical guidance on the Thorn PAT Testing blog.

Not sure what should be included?

If you are unsure what counts as an appliance for PAT testing, Thorn PAT Testing can help you identify the everyday items that should be included.

You can view the main PAT testing service information, check current pricing, or request an instant quote online.

Request an Instant Quote