🔌 PAT / EET Testing – North Wales & Cheshire

PAT / EET Testing – North Wales & Cheshire – Protect your workplace with trusted PAT Testing and Electrical Equipment Testing (EET) in Mold, Deeside, Wrexham, Chester, and Ellesmere Port—serving Flintshire, Denbighshire, and Conwy.

PAT Testing, short for Portable Appliance Testing, is the process of inspecting and testing electrical appliances to ensure they’re safe to use. It involves both visual checks and electrical tests carried out by a competent person. While PAT testing itself is not a legal requirement, UK law does mandate that all electrical equipment is maintained to prevent danger. PAT or EET is the most widely accepted method to fulfil this duty.

This applies to equipment used across a wide range of sectors—construction, manufacturing, forestry, hospitality, education, healthcare, retail, and business administration. Whether you’re running a small office or a large workshop, this service helps reduce risks of electric shock and fire while meeting your legal responsibilities.

🔗 Explore our full Health & Safety Consultancy & Training services here.

📍 Local Electrical Testing in North Wales

We deliver fast, professional EET / PAT Testing throughout Mold, Deeside, Wrexham, Chester, Ellesmere Port and the surrounding counties of Flintshire, Denbighshire, Conwy, Cheshire, Merseyside, and the Wirral. Our base in Sandycroft (CH7) means we offer a truly local service—keeping travel costs down and response times fast.

⚖️ Legal Obligations for Employers

The law doesn’t specify how to test equipment—but it’s clear on one thing: you must ensure electrical items are safe to use. The following legislation applies to all workplaces in the UK:

  • ⚖️ The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
  • ⚖️ The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
  • ⚖️ PUWER 1998 (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations)

💡 What’s the Difference Between PAT and EET?

While “PAT Testing” is still widely used, the official terminology is shifting to Electrical Equipment Testing (EET) or In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment. This change helps clear up the misconception that only “portable” or “small” appliances require testing.

Any device that plugs into a wall socket is subject to this duty. That includes vending machines, display fridges, industrial tools, office equipment, and even RCD chargers for cordless tools.

🧰 What Gets Tested?

  • 💼 Office equipment: PCs, monitors, phone chargers, printers
  • 🍳 Catering appliances: kettles, microwaves, fridges, toasters
  • 🛠️ Workshop tools: drills, angle grinders, vacuums, power saws
  • 🚴 Retail: light boxes, card readers, displays, back-office kit
  • 🚚 Chargers for cordless tools and battery packs

🔎 What Does the Testing Involve?

  1. Visual inspection: Checking for cracks, exposed wires, damaged plugs, heat damage, and signs of wear
  2. Electrical testing: Using certified equipment to measure continuity, insulation resistance, polarity, and RCD function
  3. Environment check: Ensuring safe cable placement, avoiding overloaded sockets and water/fire hazards

🚫 What If an Item Fails?

Any failed equipment must be taken out of service immediately. We’ll carry out minor repairs free of charge where possible—this includes fitting replacement plugs or fuses. Once repaired, we’ll retest to confirm it’s safe for use.

📅 How Often Should You Test?

There’s no universal rule. Testing frequency should be based on risk: how the equipment is used, how often, and in what kind of environment.

  • 👨‍💻 Offices: often every 2–5 years depending on item type
  • 🏗️ Construction / heavy use: as often as every 3–6 months

See: HSE’s HSG107 guidance.

💷 Transparent Pricing

💡 Prefer a simpler approach?
We now offer an hourly rate of £25 per operative (exc. VAT) as an alternative to per-item pricing. Many clients love this method—especially when items are organised and ready—because we can typically test more than 20 appliances per hour. It’s clear, cost-effective, and puts you in control of your budget.
  • 🔹 Up to 20 items: £65 + VAT (fixed)
  • 🔹 21–150 items: £1.35 + VAT per item (min charge £65)
  • 🔹 151–350 items: £1.20 + VAT per item
  • 🔹 351–499 items: £1.15 + VAT per item
  • 🔹 500+ items: Contact us for a quote

✅ Free minor repairs, plug & fuse replacement
📅 Same-day test certificate
🔁 Retest reminders available

📝 Top 5 Myths About PAT Testing

  1. PAT Testing is legally required every year.
  2. Only small portable appliances need testing.
  3. New equipment must be PAT tested before use.
  4. Every item must have a sticker.
  5. You have to test everything, all the time.

❓ FAQs

Is PAT Testing compulsory?

No. The law requires equipment to be maintained in a safe condition but doesn’t mandate PAT Testing. A risk-based approach is recommended.

Is annual PAT testing a legal requirement?

No. There is no specific legal timeframe. It depends on the type of equipment and the environment in which it’s used.

How often should I test?

It depends on the risk level. Higher-risk environments and frequently-used equipment should be tested more often.

Are labels or records required?

Not legally, but they help with tracking and management. Labels are useful to show compliance visually.

Do I need to test brand new items?

Not formally, but a visual check is advised to ensure no damage has occurred during shipping or handling.

📢 Book Now

Phone: 01352 781965
Email: hello@hivecollaborative.co.uk
📄 Download our PAT / EET Client Guide (PDF)

🔝 Back to Top

📨 Contact Us

If you’d like a quote for PAT / EET Testing or have a question about what’s required for your workplace, we’re here to help. Use the form below or contact us directly via phone or email.




📍 Our Location

PAT / EET Testing – North Wales & Cheshire