Damaged Cable or Plug
Cuts, exposed conductors, strained cable grips and damaged plug tops can be identified during visual inspection.
PAT Testing Advice
What Happens When an Appliance Fails a PAT Test?
A practical guide to controlling the immediate risk, recording the result and deciding whether the equipment needs repair, replacement or further assessment.
Clear Identification
Recorded Findings
Practical Next Steps
Risk Based Review
Understanding a Failed Result
A Failed Test Needs a Controlled Response
A failed result means the appliance did not meet the inspection or test criteria applied during the assessment. The reason may be visible damage, an incorrect fuse, a damaged connection or an electrical test result outside the accepted limit.
The item should be clearly identified and kept from normal use until a competent decision is made. The result should also be recorded so the facilities team can track what happened and what action followed.
Identify
The Equipment
Control
The Immediate Risk
Record
The Final Action
A Clear Audit Trail
Record the item, fault, location and agreed next action before it returns to service.
Common Reasons for Failure
What a Failed Result May Reveal
The correct response depends on the defect, equipment and test result. The examples below should not be treated as a remote diagnosis.
Incorrect Fuse
A fuse that does not suit the equipment can affect the protection provided during a fault.
Earth Continuity Concern
Class I equipment relies on an effective protective earth and may fail if that path cannot be confirmed.
Insulation Test Result
A result outside the accepted test criteria can indicate that further assessment or repair is needed.
Damaged Casing or Controls
Broken housings, switches or guards can expose users to electrical or mechanical risk.
Missing Equipment Information
An unidentified item or incomplete record can prevent the business from maintaining a reliable asset register.
Useful Next Steps
Related Electrical Services
Choose the service that best matches the equipment, installation or action identified in this guide.
Commercial PAT Testing
Arrange organised inspection and testing with clear identification of items that need attention.
Fixed Appliance Testing
Assess hard wired and fixed equipment using a service suited to its connection and construction.
Reactive Maintenance
Plan competent repair support when failed equipment or a wider electrical fault needs attention.
Immediate Response
What the Site Team Should Do Next
A simple internal process prevents a failed item being returned to service without the finding being understood and recorded.
Stop normal use of the item where the result indicates it may be unsafe
Use clear identification so the equipment is not returned accidentally
Record the asset number, location, result and reported defect
Refer the item for competent assessment, repair or replacement
Retest repaired equipment where appropriate before it returns to use
Review repeated faults across similar equipment or locations
A Traceable Response
From Failed Result to Final Decision
The record should show what was found, how the risk was controlled and what happened to the equipment afterwards.
01
Identify
Confirm the asset, location and reason recorded for the failed result.
02
Control
Prevent further use while the item is awaiting a competent decision.
03
Resolve
Repair, replace or investigate the equipment according to the finding.
04
Close
Update the asset register with the final outcome and supporting record.
Use Findings to Improve the Programme
Repeated Failures Can Reveal a Wider Pattern
Several similar failures may point to equipment choice, storage, handling or the working environment. Reviewing these patterns helps the duty holder decide whether checks should change or another practical control is needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear Answers Before You Book
Where the result indicates that the equipment may be unsafe, it should not remain in normal use. It should be identified clearly and controlled until a competent person decides the next action.
Some faults can be repaired by a competent person. Whether repair is appropriate depends on the equipment, damage and manufacturer information. Suitable inspection and testing should be completed before repaired equipment returns to use.
Not automatically. However, repeated or similar faults should prompt a review of comparable equipment, its environment and the existing maintenance plan.
The record should identify the equipment, location, date, result and reported defect. The final action, such as repair, replacement or disposal, should be recorded when known.
The decision should be made by someone with the knowledge and experience needed for the equipment and the work involved. The test result alone should not be used to justify an unsafe return to service.
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