Why has PAT Testing changed its name to Electrical Equipment Testing?

Amendments to the name Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) were made in the 5th Edition of the IET Code of Practice for In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment, where the regulations outlined that this service name had been changed to Electrical Equipment Testing (EET). Here, we discuss the reasons why this update was made and the importance of EET for your commercial premises.

What’s the difference between PAT Testing and EET Testing?

The only difference is the name. One of the main reasons for the update was to omit ‘Portable Appliance’ from the service name, as this led to confusion on what electrical appliances needed to be tested in commercial premises.

This is because the name PAT implies that it is only for electrical appliances that are portable, such as kettles or power tools.

However, this service also includes stationary, built-in or fixed electrical items, such as fridges and microwaves. Therefore, the name PAT can be deemed as misleading in this instance – whereas EET covers all electrical equipment.

Is Electrical Equipment Testing the same process as PAT Testing?

Yes – it’s the same electrical service. There are no changes on how the service is conducted, it was changed to Electrical Equipment Testing to make the service name clearer and avoid the exclusion of non-portable electrical appliances.

The purpose of EET is to test and inspect electrical equipment, to ensure that it is safe to use and compliant with the 5th Edition of the IET Code of Practice for In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment.

Is EET Testing a legal requirement?

Duty holders of commercial premises hold a legal responsibility to ensure that all electrical appliances and equipment are maintained and safe to use, as outlined by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, and the IET’s 5th Code of Practice.

It’s recommended that EET is conducted every 12 months as part of an electrical maintenance routine, for best practice in commercial premises.

What other names is EET referred to?

As there have been many updates and changes to IET regulations throughout the years, you may notice that the service is referred to as several different names within the industry. Although, the most recent and correct term for this service is Electrical Equipment Testing.

Examples of other names for this service include:

• PAT Testing
• Portable Appliance Testing
• Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment
• ITEE

Source: BES Group