What Is The Difference Between PAT Testing And ITEE Testing?

If you've come across both PAT testing and ITEE testing, you might think they refer to different services. In reality, they describe the same inspection and testing process.

The main difference is the name. PAT testing is the term most people still use, while ITEE, which stands for Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment, is the current official name. 

The change was introduced to better reflect the wider range of electrical equipment that can be inspected and tested.

Why Was The Name Changed?

The term PAT testing focuses on portable appliances but the work often covers more than just small portable devices. ITEE was introduced to make it clearer that the inspection and testing process applies to electrical equipment more broadly. 

Although the name has changed, the testing itself has not. The same equipment is checked using the same principles to help identify faults and confirm it remains safe to use.

Does It Matter Which Term A Company Uses?

Not really. Many businesses and customers still search for and ask for PAT testing because it is the name they have known for years, while others now use ITEE to reflect the current terminology.

Whether a company advertises PAT testing or ITEE, the important thing is that they are carrying out the work to the current standard. 

The name of the service matters less than the knowledge and experience of the person carrying out the testing.

Which Term Should You Use?

For most businesses, either term is perfectly acceptable. PAT testing remains widely recognised and is still the phrase many people use in everyday conversation, while ITEE is simply the updated name for the same service. If you hear both terms, there is no need to worry that they refer to different types of testing. In practice, they are describing the same inspection and testing process.

PAT Testing And ITEE Services From TISS Electrical

At TISS Electrical, we carry out electrical equipment inspection and testing for businesses across Essex. Whether you still call it PAT testing or use the newer ITEE term, we'll inspect your equipment, record the results, explain any faults we find and provide the documentation you need after testing.

If you are unsure what your business needs, speak to our team and we can point you in the right direction. Read more here: https://tisselectrical.co.uk/itee-pat-testing/

Chelmsford Office PAT Testing Completed by TISS Electrical

We recently completed PAT testing, officially known as ITEE testing, for an office close to Chelmsford Cathedral. The visit was booked in by the facilities manager ahead of an insurance renewal, rather than in response to any known problem.

Did you know: Chelmsford Cathedral began life as a simple parish church, probably built in the 13th century, and was only made a cathedral in 1914.

Our engineer went through every desk, printer and piece of kitchen equipment across the office, checking chargers, monitors, the microwave and the kettle in the staff kitchen. Everything passed the inspection except the kettle, which had a lead split near the plug from being wound around the base while still hot. It was failed, withdrawn from service and clearly marked in the report, along with everything that had passed.

It means a lot when an office in a town centre location like Chelmsford trusts us to get their compliance sorted without disrupting the working day.

If you manage a site in Chelmsford that needs PAT testing (ITEE), or emergency lighting testing, fixed wire testing (EICR) or RCD testing, get in touch with TISS Electrical on 01245 377 625.

Ipswich Bank Branch Emergency Lighting Testing Completed by TISS Electrical

We recently completed emergency lighting testing for a bank branch in Ipswich town centre, not far from Cornhill, ahead of the branch's upcoming compliance audit. Our engineer carried out the annual three-hour discharge test and found that two fittings on the escape route were not holding charge for the full period.

Did you know: Cornhill has been a public gathering square in Ipswich since at least the 16th century, and today hosts the town's market alongside the Grade II listed Lloyds Bank building.

The branch's facilities team had scheduled the test to get ahead of their audit rather than in response to any known fault, which is exactly when this kind of issue tends to turn up. Because the branch could not have its customer areas closed during the day, the discharge test was carried out after hours. Two fittings failed to last the required three hours, meaning they would have left parts of the escape route unlit during a real emergency. We replaced both and confirmed the branch was compliant before leaving site.

It means a lot when a branch in a town centre location like Ipswich trusts us to get this right without disrupting their day.

If you manage a site in Ipswich that needs emergency lighting testing, or PAT testing, fixed wire testing (EICR) or RCD testing, get in touch with TISS Electrical on 01245 377 625.