Portable appliance testing, illustrative image by MCI Electrical

PAT testing for commercial premises

Need portable appliances tested for your business or rented commercial space? MCI Electrical visually inspects each item, carries out the appropriate electrical tests and records the result for your equipment register. PAT testing covers offices, shops, warehouses and workplaces across Eastleigh, Whiteley, Hedge End and Southampton.

  • Local & Trusted
  • Upfront Pricing
  • Free Quotes

How this is priced

The price is per item tested, so tell me roughly how many items you have and I will give you a figure before I come. Quotes are free and there is no callout fee.

  • Visual inspection and electrical safety testing for portable and plug in items are included.
  • Detachable lead sets such as IEC power cords count as separate test items.
  • Repairs to internal wiring, plug replacements, or hardwired appliance testing are not included.
  • Fixed wire testing is priced on the number of boards and circuits, not by the hour.
  • Emergency lighting is priced per light, and the three hour test is priced separately.
  • Repairs are priced item by item off the report, so you choose what to do and when.
  • Work outside your trading hours costs a different rate, and I tell you what it is before I set off.
  • Quotes are free, rescheduling is free, and there is no callout fee.

What is actually tested, and how often

How often you test depends on the item and where it is used, so a drill on a building site comes round far sooner than a printer in an office. I will help you settle on an interval that suits your business.

Offices and IT suites

Desktops, monitors, kitchen kettles, and extension leads in Solent Business Park or city centre suites require routine visual and electrical checks.

Trade counters and workshops

Power tools, extension reels, and portable heaters on School Close or Millbrook Trading Estate face heavy physical wear and impact.

Dockside and industrial premises

Equipment exposed to salt air, moisture, and dust around the Southampton port estate benefits from regular inspection to catch lead damage early.

What is and is not included

It covers anything with a plug on it, including detachable leads, which count as items in their own right. Repairs and anything wired straight into the wall are quoted separately.

Included

  • Visual inspection of the plug, cable, cord grip, and outer casing
  • Checking for correct fuse rating inside rewireable plugs
  • Earth continuity testing on Class I appliances
  • Insulation resistance testing on Class I and Class II equipment
  • Pass or fail labeling attached directly to each tested item

Not included

  • Testing of fixed appliances connected directly to fused spur units
  • Repairs to faulty internal appliance electronics or components
  • Replacing damaged power leads or fitting new plugs

Before I arrive

It helps if items are gathered somewhere I can reach them, and if you flag anything running critical work, since each item is off the power for a moment while it is tested.

  1. 01

    Identify equipment locations

    Locate all movable appliances, extension leads, and kitchen items across your rooms, workshops, or offices.

  2. 02

    Allow access to sockets

    Ensure plugs and sockets under desks, behind appliances, or on high shelves are accessible without moving heavy furniture.

  3. 03

    Plan for brief power interruptions

    Laptops, IT equipment, and kitchen items will be unplugged briefly during the testing process.

What you are left with

Every item gets a label with its test date, and you get a full list of what passed and anything to set aside, with a plain English summary the same day the testing finishes.

An asset register
A written list of every appliance tested, including its location, item description, and test result.
Failed items out of use
Any item that fails safety testing is labeled clearly, unplugged, and reported directly to you.
Patterns worth acting on
Notes on recurring issues such as damaged extension leads or incorrect fuse sizes across your workplace.
The next date
A recommended retest timeline tailored to your specific workplace environment and equipment use.
Electrical installation testing, illustrative image by MCI Electrical
Years experience17

Why choose us

Every job is carried out to current standards, fully tested and left tidy. You get the certificate the same day the work finishes, with a plain English summary you can act on, and a reminder when your next test is due. Quotes are free, rescheduling is free, and there is no callout fee. The same electrician quotes the work, does it and signs it off.

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Questions I get asked

The questions I get asked most about PAT testing.

Is PAT testing a legal requirement for my business?+

I advise clients across Eastleigh that while PAT testing itself is not explicitly named in law, the Electricity at Work Regulations require all electrical systems and equipment to be maintained safely. Carrying out regular testing and keeping an asset register demonstrates that you are taking practical steps to fulfill that duty. David McInnes.

Do I need to turn off my IT servers during testing?+

I schedule testing around sensitive equipment so critical IT infrastructure is not disrupted without prior agreement. I perform visual checks on active server units where removing power would disrupt operations, and test the supply leads when downtime is planned. David McInnes.

How often should appliances be tested?+

Retest intervals depend on the equipment and how it is used. Power tools on trade counters face more wear than a desktop computer in an office and require more frequent checks.

What happens if an appliance fails the test?+

The failed item is labeled clearly as unsafe, removed from service immediately, and listed on your report so you can arrange repair or replacement.

Where the rules come from

The official rules behind this work, straight from the source.

Start with the job details

Tell me what you need and you will get a free quote, with no callout fee. Send over a few details about your premises and the work you have in mind.