What Is PAT Testing – Really?
"PAT Testing" is the name everyone know, but it’s actually a bit of a legacy term.
The correct title is “In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment”—quite a mouthful, eh? That’s why the old name has stuck!
Originally, PAT Testing referred to the checking of appliances with a standard 3-pin plug, typically items you could pick up and move, like a kettle or a computer monitor. That’s where the word "portable" came from. But times have changed.
Today, the scope of testing goes far beyond plug-in appliances. It includes all kinds of electrical equipment—fixed, movable, handheld, IT, 110V and 230V tools, even some hard-wired or industrial items—depending on how they're used.
So while we still call it PAT Testing, the job has grown into something much broader: a vital part of maintaining electrical safety and legal compliance in workplaces, rental properties, schools, and more.
At Marcaz, we make sure all relevant equipment—portable or not—is properly inspected, tested, and reported on in line with the latest regulations and best practices.
Our PAT Testing Process - What to Expect
1. Visual Inspection
1. Visual Inspection
1. Visual Inspection
Every appliance is visually inspected first. We check the plug, cable, fuse, and outer casing, looking for damage, loose wiring, poor repairs, or signs of overheating.
An appliance means any item that plugs into the mains. That includes the appliance itself, and separate items like power leads, adaptors, and chargers. Battery-powered ite
Every appliance is visually inspected first. We check the plug, cable, fuse, and outer casing, looking for damage, loose wiring, poor repairs, or signs of overheating.
An appliance means any item that plugs into the mains. That includes the appliance itself, and separate items like power leads, adaptors, and chargers. Battery-powered items don’t need testing, unless they have a mains-powered charger, in which case, the charger gets tested.
2. Remedial Repairs
1. Visual Inspection
1. Visual Inspection
If an appliance fails the visual check, we’ll do our best to fix it there and then if we can:
This includes:
- Replacing damaged plugs
- Swapping out incorrect or blown fuses
- Repairing minor cable damage (where safe and practical)
We will always let you know if something needs removing from service or isn't worth repairing.
3. Suitability Check
1. Visual Inspection
4. Electrical Testing
It's not just about the equipment itself, we also assess whether the appliance is suitable for its environment.
For example, is it being used where it might be exposed to moisture, dust, or excessive movement?
This helps you make informed decisions about safety and future replacements.
4. Electrical Testing
4. Electrical Testing
4. Electrical Testing
Once an item passes the visual checks, we move on to the electrical tests. We use calibrated PAT Testing equipment to look for the faults you can’t see. We test things like:
- Earth continuity
- Insulation resistance
- Polarity and wiring
- Leakage currents (where necessary)
Not all items need every test. Some double-insulated or sensitive equip
Once an item passes the visual checks, we move on to the electrical tests. We use calibrated PAT Testing equipment to look for the faults you can’t see. We test things like:
- Earth continuity
- Insulation resistance
- Polarity and wiring
- Leakage currents (where necessary)
Not all items need every test. Some double-insulated or sensitive equipment only needs a visual inspection. Where testing is required, we do it properly and record the actual readings, something not every company bothers with, but we believe is essential.
5. Labelling
4. Electrical Testing
6. On-Site Summary
Every tested item is assigned a unique ID number, clearly labelled, and logged in our digital system. The label includes:
- The test date
Unique reference - Pass/Fail result
- Our Marcaz branding for clarity and traceability
We remove any old stickers where possible and apply our labels neatly — because good housekeeping matters too.
Failed item
Every tested item is assigned a unique ID number, clearly labelled, and logged in our digital system. The label includes:
- The test date
Unique reference - Pass/Fail result
- Our Marcaz branding for clarity and traceability
We remove any old stickers where possible and apply our labels neatly — because good housekeeping matters too.
Failed items get a clear red Fail label, usually two: one on the appliance and one on the plug. You’ll be told about the failed item right away.
6. On-Site Summary
4. Electrical Testing
6. On-Site Summary
Before we leave, we’ll speak to your on-site contact, walk through what we found. We will update you about any items that have failed, or any repairs we have completed.
We will offer practical advice
including recommended retest periods and any further action we think you should take.
7. Report & Certification
9. Retest Reminders – So You Stay Compliant
7. Report & Certification
All the test data is submitted to our office, where we compile your report into a clean, professional PDF document. It includes:
- Test results for each appliance
- Details of any repairs or failures
- A certificate of testing
For regular clients with a good payment history, we send the report as soon as it’s ready. For new clients, we do ask f
All the test data is submitted to our office, where we compile your report into a clean, professional PDF document. It includes:
- Test results for each appliance
- Details of any repairs or failures
- A certificate of testing
For regular clients with a good payment history, we send the report as soon as it’s ready. For new clients, we do ask for payment first, just to keep things fair and simple. Need it urgently? Let us know in advance and we will prioritise it..
8. Feedback & Reviews
9. Retest Reminders – So You Stay Compliant
7. Report & Certification
We will ask you for feedback.
We are grateful when clients take a minute to leave us a review, either on our Google or Facebook pages.
We know everyone’s busy, but reviews really matter. They’re not just a pat on the back (although very nice), they help other businesses and organisations make confident decisions about who to trust. In a w
We will ask you for feedback.
We are grateful when clients take a minute to leave us a review, either on our Google or Facebook pages.
We know everyone’s busy, but reviews really matter. They’re not just a pat on the back (although very nice), they help other businesses and organisations make confident decisions about who to trust. In a world full of “cheap and cheerful” testers who rush the job or cut corners, a solid review helps us stand out as the real deal.
Chances are, you found us based on someone else’s recommendation. A review from you could be the reason someone else chooses us — and gets a properly done, safe job too.
So if you think we’ve done a good job, please let us know — and let others know too.
9. Retest Reminders – So You Stay Compliant
9. Retest Reminders – So You Stay Compliant
9. Retest Reminders – So You Stay Compliant
We won’t just disappear after the job’s done.
We’ll set your next inspection reminder in our system, based on the frequency we have agreed with you. Around 8-12 weeks before it’s due, we will get in touch to book your next visit.
This ensures that you stay compliant without having to remember a thing.