If you’re responsible for electrical safety, one of the first questions you’ll face is: how often should I test our equipment? The answer isn’t one-size-fits-all. It depends on a range of factors — from the type of equipment to how it’s used and where it’s located.
.png?width=1200)
There’s No Fixed Rule – But There Is a Standard
There’s no legal requirement that says you must test every item annually. Instead, the IET Code of Practice (55th Edition) recommends a risk-based approach. That means deciding on test intervals based on how likely equipment is to develop a fault — and how serious the consequences could be if it did.
What Should You Base It On?
Your test frequency should be based on a risk assessment. Here are some of the key factors to consider:
The type of equipment (e.g. Class I, Class II, IT, fixed appliances)
How often the equipment is used
Who uses it (staff, students, public)
The environment it’s used in (office, construction site, kitchen, etc.)
Its history – has it failed before? Been repaired? Frequently moved?
Example Test Intervals (as a Starting Point)
Every workplace is different, but here are some rough starting points for how often you might test various types of equipment:
Environment | Equipment Type | Suggested Interval |
Office | IT equipment | Every 2–4 years |
Office | Kettles and toasters | Annually |
Construction site | Power tools | Every 3 months |
School | Portable appliances | Annually |
Retail | Display lighting, extension leads | Every 1–2 years |
Tool hire | All hireable electrical items | Before each hire |
Use a Risk-Based Approach, Not a Rigid Schedule
A blanket annual testing schedule can be overkill for some equipment — and not enough for others. Instead, take time to assess what actually needs attention based on how and where it’s used.
What Happens If You Test Too Often – or Not Enough?
Testing too often can waste time, resources, and budget — especially if you’re retesting low-risk IT equipment every year for no clear reason. It also creates unnecessary admin work and adds strain on teams already managing multiple responsibilities.
Not testing often enough, on the other hand, carries real risks. Faulty equipment can cause shocks, fires, or data loss. If there’s ever an incident, an investigation may reveal you didn’t have a suitable testing strategy in place.
That’s why risk-based testing matters: you only test what you need, when you need to — and your decisions are backed by logic, not guesswork.
How to Record and Justify Your Test Intervals
Once you’ve decided on test intervals, document your reasoning. This isn’t just best practice — it helps you stay audit-ready.
Things to record might include:
The type of equipment and its electrical classification
The operating environment (e.g. dry office, workshop, public area)
Who uses it and how often
Any history of failure, damage, or repair
Visual condition at the last check
With this information saved, you can explain your choices to auditors or insurers — and adjust your plan as things change.
More on the PAT Testing Frequency Template
Our free template isn’t just a list of intervals — it’s a practical tool that helps you apply a risk-based testing strategy.
It includes:
A visual flow to guide your decision-making
Industry-specific interval suggestions
A printable matrix to map out test plans by area or team
Space to log your rationale for test frequency
It’s designed to support responsible persons making decisions without over-testing or leaving gaps in coverage.