PAT Testing Checklist: What to Check Before, During, and After Testing

A PAT testing checklist does two jobs. During the inspection, it keeps the process consistent — every appliance gets the same checks, every time, in the right order. Afterwards, it becomes the record you need to show that maintenance happened.

This guide covers the three stages: what to prepare before you start testing, what to check at each level of inspection, and what to record once each appliance is assessed.

What PAT testing actually involves

The HSE describes PAT testing as "the term used to describe the examination of electrical appliances and equipment to ensure they are safe to use." What that examination involves depends on the type of inspection and the appliance.

There are three levels, each requiring a different level of competence:

User checks — simple visual checks carried out by equipment users as part of daily or weekly routines. No tools needed, no formal training required. Anyone can do these after a brief briefing.
Formal visual inspection — a more systematic check by a competent person (not necessarily an electrician) who knows what to look for. This is the most common level for routine PAT management.
Combined inspection and testing — formal visual inspection plus electrical tests using a PAT tester. Needed for higher-risk equipment and environments; typically done by someone with specific PAT testing training.

The checklists below focus on levels 2 and 3, which are the levels most facilities managers and health and safety leads are responsible for organising. For a full explanation of the three levels and when each applies, see the three levels of PAT.

Before you start: preparation checklist

Getting the equipment and records right before testing saves time and reduces errors.

Register and scheduling:

Pull the current PAT register — note every appliance due or overdue for testing
Check that asset numbers or labels match what's on the physical equipment
Confirm testing frequency for each appliance category (IET Code of Practice guidance — office equipment typically every 4 years; construction tools every 3 months)
Note any appliances flagged at the last test for monitoring

Testing environment:

Ensure tested equipment is switched off and unplugged before inspection
Work in adequate lighting — you're looking for cracks, burns, and wear that are easy to miss in poor light
Keep test records dry and away from equipment being tested

PAT tester (if running combined testing):

Confirm the PAT tester itself is in calibration and working correctly
Check the test leads for damage before use
Confirm you know which tests are applicable for each class of appliance (Class I vs Class II)

Use the PAT Compliance Checker to confirm whether your current setup meets the standard before you start a formal testing session.

Visual inspection checklist (per appliance)

This is the check you carry out on every appliance, whether or not you're also running electrical tests. The HSE notes that visual examination is essential because some types of electrical safety defect can't be detected by testing alone.

Cable and plug:

Check the outer sheath of the cable for cuts, abrasions, kinks, or heat damage
Confirm the cable entry into the plug is not frayed and that the outer sheath is gripped securely by the cable clamp (not just the inner wires)
Check the plug itself — no cracks, the casing is intact, the pins are not bent, corroded, or discoloured from heat
Check the fuse rating matches the appliance (as a general guide, appliances under 700W typically use a 3A fuse and those above 700W a 13A fuse — always follow the manufacturer's stated fuse rating where specified)
Check the cable entry into the appliance for damage — particularly where the cable flexes at the body of the appliance

Appliance body:

Inspect the outer casing for cracks, melting, burn marks, or signs of liquid damage
Check that ventilation slots are clear and not blocked
Confirm the appliance switches and controls work correctly (where safe to check)
Look for signs of modification — exposed conductors, added wiring, replaced fuses with the wrong rating

Labels and records:

Check the existing PAT label is present and legible (if previously tested)
Note the date of previous test and whether it's within the expected interval
Record any observations before moving to electrical testing

Combined inspection and testing checklist

Combined testing is done with a PAT tester. The specific tests required depend on the class of appliance.

Class I appliances (have a protective earth — three-pin plug, or two-pin with metal body connected to earth) require:

Earth continuity test — confirms the earth connection is intact throughout the appliance
Insulation resistance test — confirms the insulation between live conductors and earth is adequate

Class II appliances (double insulated — no earth pin, typically marked with double-square symbol) require:

Insulation resistance test only — no earth conductor to test

Extension leads:

Test continuity of each conductor between the plug and each socket
Inspect each socket outlet for damage and correct contact grip
Confirm the lead is not daisy-chained with another extension lead at time of use (not a test, but a usage note worth recording)

Record per appliance after combined testing:

Asset number or appliance description
Appliance class (Class I / Class II)
Test results (pass/fail for each test carried out)
Earth continuity resistance (if Class I) — typically below 0.1Ω for a short cable, rising slightly for longer cables (IET Code of Practice 5th Edition)
Insulation resistance — typically above 1MΩ for Class I; above 2MΩ for Class II (IET Code of Practice 5th Edition — actual limits vary by cable length and equipment type)
Final decision: Pass or Fail

After testing: record-keeping checklist

A PAT test is only as useful as the record it generates. The record is what you produce if asked to demonstrate compliance — by an insurance assessor, an EHO during an HMO inspection, or a health and safety audit.

Per appliance:

Date of test
Description (make, model, serial number or asset ID)
Test result (pass or fail)
Name and, where applicable, company of person who carried out the test
Any remedial action noted (fail removed from service, repaired, retested — and the outcome)
Next recommended test date

For failed appliances:

Remove from service immediately — do not return to use until repaired and retested
Label clearly "Do Not Use" or "Failed PAT Test [date]"
Record what was wrong, what remedial action was taken, and when the appliance was retested or disposed of

Register maintenance:

Update the PAT register with the new test date and result
Archive records for a minimum of three to five years — longer for appliances that were failed and queried

For more detail on what records to keep and how long to keep them, see PAT testing records: what to keep, how long, and why.

What to do when an appliance fails

Fail a visual inspection: remove from service before carrying out electrical tests. A visible fault (cracked plug, frayed cable) doesn't need a test to confirm it's unsafe.

Fail an electrical test: remove from service, label it clearly, and investigate the cause before deciding whether to repair or dispose of it. Not all electrical failures are repairable cost-effectively — a failed insulation resistance test on an old appliance may be a disposal decision rather than a repair.

For a full guide to the process, see what happens if an appliance fails a PAT test.

Generating your PAT register

If you're managing testing manually, use a consistent format for every entry. The PAT Register Template Generator produces a CSV register pre-formatted with all the right columns — download it and fill in your appliance details as you test.

Always apply the relevant tests for the appliance class. If you are unsure which tests apply to a specific appliance, consult the IET Code of Practice for In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment (5th Edition) — the authoritative guidance document for PAT testing in the UK.