EICR vs PAT Testing
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EICR vs PAT Testing: What’s The Difference?
What Is The Difference Between EICR vs PAT Testing?
In general the purpose and undertaking of them are both similar in that they’re tests done by qualified engineers to find any electrical faults, both either pass or fail and both are about keeping people safe – but where EICR is about the building’s electrics, PAT is about the appliances you plug into them.
But as with most things, its not as simple as it first seems. They check completely different things and mixing them up (or assuming one covers the other) can leave a gap in your compliance.
What do they mean?
What is EICR?
EICR (also known as Fixed Wire Testing) stands for Electrical Installation Condition Report. It’s a document produced after a qualified electrician inspects and tests the fixed electrical installation in a property – these include the wiring, consumer unit (fuse box), sockets, switches, and light fittings that are permanently connected to the building.
What is PAT Testing?
PAT stands for Portable Appliance Testing. In simpler terms, it’s the process of checking that electrical appliances (the ones you plug into a wall socket rather than hard-wired ones) are safe to use. So think of things such as kettles, monitors, extension leads, power tools, printers, microwaves, basically anything with a plug on the end.
Side by Side Comparison
EICR
PAT Testing
Fixed wiring, sockets, consumer unit and circuits built into the property
Any plug-in appliances (kettles, laptops, power tools, extension leads etc.)
Legally required for landlords every 5 years; strongly recommended for businesses and voluntary for homeowners
No fixed legal rule, but covered by the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and Health & Safety at Work Act 1974
Generally every 5 years or in the case of landlords, on change of rental property tenancy
Varies depending on equipment and environment – can be anywhere from every 3 months (construction sites) to every 2-4 years (office equipment)
A formal report classifying any issues found (e.g. satisfactory, or codes for remedial work needed)
Pass/fail sticker on each appliance, with a test date and (often not always) next due date
Are Both Needed?
In most commercial and industrial settings, yes. An EICR tells you the building’s wiring is safe to plug things into, while PAT testing tells you the things you’re plugging in are safe to use. One without the other only covers half the picture – you could have a perfectly sound electrical installation and still have a frayed kettle lead waiting to cause a problem, or vice versa.
For landlords specifically, an EICR is a legal must every 5 years. PAT testing becomes relevant on top of that if the property comes with appliances included, since those still need to be safe for tenants to use.
Getting Them Tested
Because they cover different parts of the same system, it often makes sense to have both handled by the same team – one visit, one point of contact, and records that line up rather than living in two different places. As electrical and mechanical contractors covering the North West of England, we carry out both PAT testing and EICRs for commercial, industrial and retail clients, alongside fixed wire testing, installation and ongoing maintenance work.
If you’re not sure whether you need one, the other, or both, it’s worth having a quick chat with a qualified engineer rather than guessing – it’s a small thing to get right and a costly thing to get wrong.
Need More Information?
If you need more information about either PAT Testing or EICR, then click one of the links below to be taken for a more in-depth look