What Equipment Needs ITEE Testing? The Complete Guide

Any electrical equipment that plugs into the mains supply needs ITEE testing. This includes computers, kettles, vending machines, industrial refrigerators, power tools, extension leads and thousands of other items used in workplaces every day.

The scope has evolved significantly. Under the old PAT testing terminology, many people thought only small portable appliances needed checking. That was never true, but the confusion was widespread. The shift to ITEE (Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment) makes it crystal clear: if it connects to mains electricity and poses a risk, it needs testing.

This isn’t about creating extra work or ticking boxes. It’s about recognizing that electrical equipment, regardless of size or portability, can cause fires, shocks and serious injuries if it develops faults. Regular testing catches these problems before anyone gets hurt.

The Complete List Of Equipment That Needs Testing

Any piece of electrical equipment connected to the mains supply via a plug needs ITEE testing. Here’s what that includes in practice:

Office Equipment

Desktop computers, monitors, laptops (when used with mains power), printers, scanners, photocopiers, shredders, desk lamps, phone chargers, tablet chargers, desk fans, heaters, projectors, screens and any other equipment powered from wall sockets.

Extension leads and multi socket adapters also need testing. These are often overlooked but they’re critical safety items. A faulty extension lead powering six devices creates six potential incidents from a single failure point.

Kitchen And Break Room Equipment

Kettles, microwaves, toasters, coffee machines, water coolers, refrigerators, dishwashers, food processors, blenders, sandwich toasters and any other equipment used to prepare or store food and drinks.

Even if a refrigerator is built into kitchen units and rarely moved, it still needs testing. The connection to mains electricity is what matters, not whether you can easily relocate it.

Manufacturing And Industrial Equipment

Power tools including drills, saws, grinders, sanders and impact drivers. Welding equipment (where electrically powered). Compressors, pumps and motors. Conveyor systems, packaging equipment and assembly line tools. Industrial vacuum cleaners, pressure washers and cleaning equipment. Battery chargers for forklift trucks and other vehicles.

This category often involves higher powered equipment operating in harsher environments. Testing frequency here is typically more frequent than in office settings.

Larger Fixed Equipment

Vending machines, air conditioning units, industrial refrigerators and freezers, water dispensers, commercial laundry equipment, electric vehicle charging points (where user accessible) and other equipment that connects to mains supply even if not easily portable.

This is where the shift from PAT to ITEE makes the biggest practical difference. Under old terminology, facilities managers often assumed this equipment didn’t need testing. Under ITEE, there’s no ambiguity.

IT Infrastructure And Server Equipment

Server racks, network equipment, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), backup power systems, monitors in server rooms and any other equipment keeping your digital infrastructure running.

IT teams sometimes assume this equipment is exempt because it’s critical infrastructure or because it’s in a secure environment. It’s not exempt. It needs testing like everything else.

Medical And Care Equipment

Patient monitoring equipment, diagnostic devices, electric beds, hoists, wheelchairs (electric), nebulizers, suction units and any other electrical equipment used in healthcare or care settings.

This equipment often requires more frequent testing due to the vulnerable nature of the people it serves and the critical importance of reliable operation.

Retail And Hospitality Equipment

Point of sale systems, card readers, till systems, display lighting, refrigerated display units, hot food displays, commercial coffee machines, ice machines and any other equipment used to serve customers.

Construction And Site Equipment

110V equipment (site transformers and connected tools), lighting towers, generators (where applicable), electric heaters, dehumidifiers, power distribution units and any temporary electrical installations.

Construction sites are high risk environments. Testing frequency here is typically every three months or even more frequently depending on conditions.

From Portable Appliances To All Electrical Equipment

For years, workplace electrical testing in the UK was called PAT Testing (Portable Appliance Testing). The name created a fundamental problem.

Equipment that’s part of the fixed electrical installation falls outside ITEE scope. Wall sockets, light fittings, immersion heaters and similar permanently wired items are tested as part of fixed wire testing (EICR), not equipment testing.

Very low voltage equipment operating below certain thresholds may also be exempt, but this requires proper assessment. When in doubt, include it in your testing schedule.

Why The Expanded Scope Makes A Real Difference

The shift from PAT to ITEE isn’t just terminology. It’s about closing gaps that left equipment untested.

Before the change, facilities managers would dutifully test laptops, kettles and desk fans while a faulty vending machine sat in the corner for years without inspection. A server room full of UPS units and network equipment went unchecked because they weren’t “portable appliances”. Industrial equipment wired into fused spurs fell into a grey area where nobody was quite sure who was responsible.

The result? Equipment that posed genuine risks slipped through the gaps. The new ITEE approach removes that ambiguity. If it connects to mains electricity, it’s in scope. Simple as that.

What Doesn’t Need ITEE Testing

Walk through your premises with a simple question: does it plug into the wall?

If the answer is yes, it needs ITEE testing. Doesn’t matter if it’s small or large, portable or fixed, obvious or tucked away in a corner. If it draws power from the mains supply, it’s in scope.

Create a complete inventory. This sounds tedious but it’s essential. You can’t test what you don’t know exists. Every piece of equipment should be logged with a unique identifier, location and testing schedule.

Don’t forget equipment in:

Equipment that’s rarely used still needs testing. A projector used twice a year can still develop faults. A heater stored over summer can degrade. Testing schedules should account for usage patterns but nothing gets exempted simply because it sits idle most of the time.

Testing Frequency Depends On Risk Level

Not every piece of equipment needs testing at the same interval. Frequency depends on your risk assessment.

• Construction sites and industrial environments test every three to six months. Equipment takes heavy use in harsh conditions and faults develop quickly.
• Office environments typically test annually. Equipment operates in controlled conditions with moderate use.
• The type of equipment matters too. Power tools used daily need more frequent testing than a printer that sits on a desk. Document your risk assessment and review it annually.

Does New Equipment Need Immediate Testing?

Brand new equipment from manufacturers is safe to use immediately. A visual inspection for transit damage is sensible practice, but full testing isn’t required before first use.

Once in service, new equipment joins your normal testing schedule based on your site’s risk assessment. It doesn’t get years of exemption just because it’s new.

Getting Your Equipment Testing Right

The shift from PAT to ITEE removed ambiguity. All electrical equipment connected to the mains supply needs inspection and testing. No exceptions based on size, portability or how obvious the equipment seems.

If you’re still using old PAT testing schedules that focus mainly on portable items, you’re leaving gaps in your compliance. Larger fixed equipment, unusual connections and items that don’t fit the “portable appliance” description all need including.

Review your current testing regime. Check that it covers everything that connects to mains electricity. Update your inventory to include equipment that might have been previously overlooked. Ensure your testing frequency matches your actual risk profile rather than just defaulting to annual testing for everything.

This is a legal requirement in the UK under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Your insurance company expects evidence of proper testing. More importantly, your employees and visitors deserve to work in a safe environment.

Call us today at 01245 377 625 to discuss your ITEE testing requirements. We’ll help you identify what needs testing, create a proper schedule and keep your premises fully compliant.