How Often Should Appliances Be PAT Tested?
There's no fixed legal interval for PAT testing. How often you need to test depends on the type of appliance, the environment it's used in, and the level of risk involved. For most businesses and landlords, annual testing is the right default and the easiest answer to justify.
What Actually Determines the Frequency
The IET Code of Practice, which most PAT testing professionals follow, recommends a risk-based approach rather than a blanket interval. The key variables are the appliance type, the environment it operates in, and how heavily it's used.
Class I equipment, appliances with an earth connection, is generally considered higher risk than Class II double-insulated equipment. A floor-standing appliance in a low-use office is different from a portable device that gets moved, knocked, and plugged in repeatedly throughout the day.
Practical Guidance by Setting
For offices, standard equipment such as computers, monitors, and desk lamps in a low-hazard environment can reasonably be tested every one to two years. Portable items that travel around more frequently, extension leads, chargers, smaller appliances, should be tested more often.
For rental properties, annual testing is the most widely accepted interval. It satisfies most insurance requirements, aligns with local authority guidance, and keeps your records in order.
For higher-risk environments such as construction sites, commercial kitchens, or workshops, the interval shortens considerably. Equipment used in demanding conditions is more exposed to damage and moisture and should be tested every three to six months.
Why Annual Is the Right Default for Most
If you're not sure which category applies to you, annual testing is the practical answer. It's simple, it keeps your compliance records current, and it meets the expectations of most insurers and councils without requiring a formal risk assessment to justify a longer interval.
For most small businesses and landlords, doing it annually is cheaper and simpler than working out whether you can stretch to eighteen months.
If you'd like to know what a PAT testing visit involves, our guide explains the full process from booking to completion.
