What to Expect from a Test and Tag Electrical Safety Check

Step 1: Visual electrical inspection

The first thing a technician does is a visual inspection. They check each item (i.e. cords, plugs, power boards) for anything that doesn’t look right.

They’re looking for:

• Frayed or damaged cords
• Cracks in plugs or casing
• Exposed wires
• Burn marks or signs of overheating
• General wear and tear

This step is quick but important. In fact, a lot of unsafe gear gets picked up at this stage before anything even gets tested.

Step 2: Testing appliances and equipment

Next up, the technician uses a tool called a Portable Appliance Tester (PAT). It’s a small device that runs a few different electrical safety checks to see if the item’s safe to use.

Depending on the type of equipment, they’ll run tests like:

• Earth continuity – checks that the earth connection is working properly
• Insulation resistance – makes sure electricity isn’t leaking where it shouldn’t
• Polarity – confirms cords and wires are connected the right way around

The tester gives instant results. If something’s not right, they’ll know on the spot.

Step 3: Tag it

If the item passes all the tests, the technician will attach a tag to it which includes important information like:

• Whether the item passed or failed
• The date it was tested
• When it’s due for retesting
• The technician or company who did the job

It’s a simple way to track what's been tested and helps keep you covered from a compliance and safety point of view.

Step 4: Record the results

The final step is keeping a record. Most technicians now use digital tools to log what was tested and the results.

You’ll usually receive:

• A full list of everything that was checked
• A summary of anything that failed
• A digital report for your records

This is especially handy if you ever need to show proof of testing during an audit, inspection, or insurance claim.

What do you need to prepare before a test and tag visit?

Not much. But a little preparation helps everything run smoothly:

• Let staff know testing is happening, so they’re not caught off guard.
• Make equipment accessible. Technicians will need to reach power boards, kitchen appliances, under-desk heaters, etc.
• Have someone available to answer questions or help access restricted areas.

A bit of prep means the technician can get in, test everything properly, and get out without too much disruption.