Us too! It’s crazy how many different terms there are for basically the same thing. It’s all because some powers that be want to change the name, but people know it as PAT testing, and will likely keep it that way forever!

Basically, we call it PAT testing, but it in the trade is (In-Service) Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment (ISITEE). It’s been called that for years and we have never had a client use the term, but to stop the arguments we have to use it, or at least mention it once or twice.

ISITEE is the term used in the IET’s Code of Practice, which some people, incorrectly, think is a rule book. It’s not, it’s just a guide.

It used to be called Portable Appliance Testing; that name has been all but phased out, because ‘Portable’ is too confusing apparently. An electrical appliance isn’t necessarily portable, as it may not be moveable, and that confuses people. The Portable Appliance Testing Trade Association, actually suggests that the word ‘Portable‘ is in reference to the appliance being portable from the mains, i.e. it can be unplugged.

Today, some want us to call it Electrical Equipment Testing, because it’s not just portable equipment that needs inspecting, but we like to keep things simple so we continue to call it PAT testing. Plus it’s the name of our business, and changing that would take a lot of work!