Portable appliance testing, or PAT, is the accepted way Irish businesses keep their electrical equipment safe and prove they have done so. It combines inspection and electrical testing to catch faults before they cause a shock or a fire. This guide explains what PAT involves, the legal duty behind it, how the process works, and who it protects.
What portable appliance testing is
PAT is the routine examination of electrical equipment to make sure it is safe to use. It is not a single test but a combination of checks: a visual inspection that catches obvious damage, and a series of electrical tests that confirm the parts you cannot see, earthing, insulation and connections, are sound. Any item with a plug that connects to the mains falls within its scope, from kettles and computers to power tools and extension leads.
The aim is simple: to find equipment that has become unsafe and take it out of use before it harms anyone. Most faults are caught at the inspection stage; the testing confirms the rest.
The legal backdrop in Ireland
While no Irish regulation names "PAT testing", the law does require employers to keep electrical equipment safe. The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and the General Application Regulations 2007 place a duty on employers to ensure electrical equipment is maintained so as to prevent danger. PAT is the recognised, practical way to meet that duty and to show you have taken reasonable care. You can read more in our guide to PAT testing legislation in Ireland.
The PAT process
Testing works in layers. Everyday user checks catch obvious damage between formal inspections. A formal visual inspection by a competent person examines the plug, fuse, flex and casing in detail. Combined inspection and testing then adds instrument tests appropriate to the appliance class, confirming earth continuity, insulation resistance and safe function. Results are recorded, passed items labelled, and failed items removed for repair or replacement.
The frequency of testing is risk-based, set by the type of equipment and how it is used, rather than a fixed legal interval. A tool on a building site is checked far more often than an office computer.
Who PAT protects
PAT protects everyone who comes into contact with a workplace's electrical equipment: employees, contractors, customers and visitors. For the business, it protects against the human cost of an incident, the legal consequences of failing the safety duty, and the disruption of a fire or an enforcement action. It is a small, routine investment that guards against much larger risks.
Getting it done
A business can meet its PAT duty by training a competent person in-house and equipping them with a suitable, calibrated tester, or by using a competent contractor. For organisations with a lot of portable equipment, in-house testing is often the more flexible and cost-effective route. Either way, keeping clear records is what demonstrates compliance.
FAQs
Is PAT testing a legal requirement in Ireland?
Not by that specific name, but the law requires employers to keep electrical equipment safe and maintained. PAT is the accepted way to meet and evidence that duty, which is why it is treated as an industry standard.
What does PAT testing involve?
A visual inspection of the plug, flex and casing, followed by electrical tests appropriate to the appliance class, such as earth continuity and insulation resistance, then a functional check. Results are recorded and items labelled as passed or removed if they fail.
How often should equipment be tested?
There is no fixed legal interval. Frequency is based on risk, the type of equipment and its environment, so higher-risk items are checked more often. The duty holder sets and documents appropriate intervals.
If you want to meet your electrical safety duty with confidence, talk to us about testers, training and our calibration service.