Electrical appliances need to be routinely checked for safety. PAT inspection or TEST & TAG is the ‘in-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment’. It involves a visual inspection of the equipment and cables, grounding (earthing) continuity check, and checking insulation between the current carrying parts, and any exposed metal that may be touched.

If the test is a pass, a tag showing a tracking code, the test date and the due date for the next test is attached to the appliance lead.