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What Is a Fixed Appliance?
A fixed appliance is any item of mains-powered equipment that’s permanently connected to the electrical installation. In simple terms: if it’s hardwired into a spur outlet or switched connection unit, rather than plugged in, then it is classed as fixed.
Common examples include:
- Wall-mounted water heaters
- Built-in ovens
- Hand dryers
- Commercial kitchen appliances
- Some dishwashers, fridges, and freezers
- Extractor fans and electric showers
Some of these appliances may look like they fall under PAT Testing, but the lack of a plug changes the process.
Can Fixed Appliances Be PAT Tested?
Yes — but with limits.
If an appliance is hardwired or was originally plug-powered but has since been hardwired into a fused spur, it still falls within the scope of inspection. However, PAT Testing only covers the appliance up to the point where its flex enters the wall outlet.
That means:
- We inspect the appliance, cable, and visible connections
- We test for earth continuity (using point-to-point probes)
- We label and record the appliance in our test log
We cannot conduct an Insulation Resistance Test using point-to-point probes).
We do not open up the fused spur or test inside the fixed wiring. That’s the job of a qualified electrician during an EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report).
If you’ve had the appliance installed by an electrician, there should be a Minor Works Certificate confirming the wiring was safely connected.
What Can (and Cannot) Be Tested?
Here’s a quick guide to what we can usually test, and what we leave to the specialists:
✅
- Water heaters
- Hand dryers
- Microwaves
- Washing machines & dishwashers
- Tumble dryers
- Built-in fridges/freezers (where access allows)
- Wall-mounted heaters/radiators
- Hardwired hand dryers
- Extractor fans
- Electric showers
- Boilers
- Commercial fryers, ovens, and bain-maries
❌ Not within PAT scope (specialist servicing required):
- Escalators
- Lifts
- Commercial HVAC systems
- Building-wide control units
If we’re not confident it’s safe or outside of our remit then we will say so.
Who is Responsible for What?
It's easy to get wires crossed (pardon the pun), so let’s clear this up:
- PAT Testers inspect and test the appliance and the cable up to the connection point.
- Electricians are responsible for the fixed wiring from the consumer unit (fuse board) to the outlet.
- Both roles are important, and neither replaces the other.
If an appliance has been hardwired in, it should have been done by a qualified electrician and signed off with a Minor Works Certificate. We assume that certificate exists — and that the internal wiring has been installed safely.
Why Choose Marcaz?
We are experienced in testing fixed appliances safely and correctly, without disrupting your premises, or damaging your equipment.
✅ City & Guilds qualified engineers
✅ Point-to-point testing available
✅ Minor remedial work
✅ Clear documentation and labelling
✅ Honest advice on what we can (and can’t) do
Need Fixed Appliance Testing?
Got hardwired appliances and not sure what to do with them?
We are happy to talk through your setup and help you work out what needs testing — and what doesn’t.
📞 Call us on 0114 3984150
📧 Email: enquiries@marcaz.co.uk