Question 1

What is PAT testing?

Accepted Answer

PAT testing (Portable Appliance Testing) is the routine inspection and testing of portable electrical appliances to verify they are safe to use. PAT stands for Portable Appliance Testing. It combines a formal visual inspection with electrical tests — typically earth continuity, insulation resistance, and polarity — carried out to the IET Code of Practice 5th Edition (2020).

Question 2

Is PAT testing a legal requirement?

Accepted Answer

There is no single law that names PAT testing, but the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) require employers to keep work equipment safe. HSE guidance INDG236 ("Maintaining portable electric equipment in low-risk environments") sets out the inspection-and-testing approach that demonstrates compliance. Landlords in England have a separate statutory duty to commission a 5-yearly EICR of fixed installations under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 — that is not the same as PAT testing, but most letting agents also require PAT certificates for any portable appliances supplied with the rental as standard practice.

Question 3

Who can carry out PAT testing?

Accepted Answer

Anyone who is "competent" can do PAT testing — there is no law requiring an electrician. Competence comes from training and experience. Most employers, landlords, and PAT testing businesses use the City & Guilds 2377 PAT testing course as evidence of formal competence. After this two-day course you are qualified to PAT test commercially.

Question 4

How do you PAT test an appliance?

Accepted Answer

PAT testing follows three stages: (1) a user check, (2) a formal visual inspection looking for damaged cables, plugs, and casings, and (3) the electrical tests on a PAT testing machine — earth continuity, insulation resistance, and polarity. Each appliance is then labelled with a pass or fail sticker and the result is logged on a PAT test certificate or register.

Question 5

What is a PAT testing machine?

Accepted Answer

A PAT testing machine (PAT tester) is a handheld instrument that runs the electrical tests on portable appliances — earth continuity, insulation resistance, leakage current, and polarity. Common brands include Megger, Seaward, Kewtech, and Fluke. Our course familiarises you with machine setup, reading results, and recording them on a PAT test certificate.

Question 6

Do you receive a PAT testing certificate after the course?

Accepted Answer

Yes. On passing this course you receive a City & Guilds 2377 PAT testing qualification — the recognised PAT tester certification in the UK. Each appliance you subsequently test produces a portable appliance test certificate (a register or labelled report) recording the date, the test results, and the tester.

Question 7

Is there a free or online PAT testing course?

Accepted Answer

Free online PAT testing courses cover theory only — they cannot give you a recognised qualification because PAT testing requires hands-on practical assessment. The City & Guilds 2377 is the industry-recognised PAT testing qualification and is delivered in person at our Cheshunt centre over two days, with full equipment access.

Question 8

Do I need any qualifications to take this course?

Accepted Answer

No. PAT testing is suitable for complete beginners as well as experienced electricians looking to add this service.

Question 9

Can I start a PAT testing business after this?

Accepted Answer

Yes. With your City & Guilds 2377 certificate, you can offer commercial PAT testing services to businesses, landlords, and letting agents.

Feature	C&G 2377 (2 Days)★ Recommended	1-Day Workshop	Online Theory Only
City & Guilds Certificate	✓	✗	✗
Practical Equipment Testing	✓	Limited	✗
Hands-On PAT Tester Use	✓	Limited	✗
Insurer / Landlord Accepted	✓	Sometimes	✗
IET Code of Practice Coverage	✓	Partial	Theory
Suitable for Commercial Work	✓	✗	✗
Duration	2 days	1 day	Self-paced

Feature	C&G 2377 (2 Days)★ Recommended	1-Day Workshop	Online Theory Only
City & Guilds Certificate	✓	✗	✗
Practical Equipment Testing	✓	Limited	✗
Hands-On PAT Tester Use	✓	Limited	✗
Insurer / Landlord Accepted	✓	Sometimes	✗
IET Code of Practice Coverage	✓	Partial	Theory
Suitable for Commercial Work	✓	✗	✗
Duration	2 days	1 day	Self-paced

City & Guilds 2377 Portable Appliance Testing (PAT)— City & Guilds 2377

City & Guilds 2377 Portable Appliance Testing (PAT)

The Roadmap to Qualified Status

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18th Edition

Basic Electrical Course

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