How Often Should You PAT Test?

Does PAT testing really need to be done every year? If that’s what you’ve been told, this video will change how you look at electrical safety. In this final video of the PAT testing series, we break down how inspection and testing frequency is actually set, using the risk based approach defined in the Code of Practice. There are no fixed annual intervals, no magic stickers, and no one size fits all answers. We cover • Why PAT testing is not an annual legal requirement • How risk determines inspection and test frequency • The factors that really matter: equipment type, environment, use and user behaviour • Real world examples comparing low risk offices with high use industrial areas • Why records matter more than labels • What the Code expects for reporting and record keeping • New equipment, second hand kit, hired equipment and counterfeit risks We also show how proper records close the safety loop, turning test results into meaningful decisions that can be justified if anything ever goes wrong. This is where systems like CertSuite come into play, helping duty holders manage registers, intervals, reminders and reports as a single safety system rather than disconnected paperwork. Validate Your PAT Testing Learning 👉 https://training.efixx.co.uk/course/portable-appliance-testing-in-association-with-megger Learn more about the Megger PAT250 👉 https://hub.efixx.co.uk/MeggerPAT250 PAT testing isn’t about ticking boxes. It’s about managing risk, proving compliance and keeping people safe. ================ Time Stamps ⏱️ 00:00 – Does PAT testing really need to be done every year? 00:42 – Why PAT records matter more than stickers 01:55 – How records reveal safety trends over time 03:05 – The four essential PAT record types 04:35 – Keeping testers accurate: instrument logs & calibration 05:25 – The truth about PAT labels and stickers 06:35 – Why “next test date” stickers can be misleading 07:20 – How risk-based testing intervals actually work 08:50 – Example inspection intervals for different workplaces 09:55 – Managing PAT records with digital systems 10:35 – New, second-hand and hired equipment considerations 11:05 – Counterfeit equipment, recalls & final thoughts ================ #pattesting #electricaltesting #electricalinstallation