PAT Testing Settings

The PAT Testing Settings page configures how NexusRMS manages Portable Appliance Testing for your equipment. PAT testing ensures electrical equipment is safe to use and compliant with health and safety regulations. Settings cover enforcement behaviour, test configuration, certificate generation, IET pass/fail thresholds, and notification rules.

This is a paid addon. PAT Testing requires the PAT Testing addon subscription at £29/month. If you have not subscribed, the PAT Testing settings page is visible but all fields are disabled with a prompt to subscribe via Configuration > Addons Store. Once subscribed, all settings become editable immediately.

Navigate to Configuration > PAT Testing to access these settings. The page is organised into five tabs: General, Test Configuration, Certificates, IET Thresholds, and Notifications.

General tab

The General tab controls the core behaviour of PAT testing enforcement and scheduling across your equipment library.

Enforcement Mode

Enforcement Mode — Controls what happens when untested or overdue equipment is added to a project or quote. Three options are available:

• Off — No enforcement. Equipment can be booked regardless of PAT test status. Use this during initial setup while you are catching up on testing.
• Warning — Displays a warning banner when untested or overdue equipment is added to a project, but allows the booking to proceed. The warning appears to the user creating the project and is logged in the project history.
• Block — Prevents untested or overdue equipment from being added to projects entirely. The user receives an error message and must arrange testing before the equipment can be booked. This is the strictest mode and is recommended for companies operating under formal health and safety policies.

Default: Warning.

Default Test Frequency

Default Test Frequency — The number of months between required PAT tests. This value is applied to all equipment unless overridden at the category or individual item level. Common frequencies are 3 months for construction site equipment, 12 months for office equipment, and 6 months for rental equipment that changes hands frequently. Default: 12 months.

Warning Threshold Days

Warning Threshold Days — The number of days before a PAT test is due that NexusRMS starts showing warnings. Equipment entering the warning threshold is highlighted in amber on equipment lists and the warehouse packing view. Default: 30 days.

Auto-create repair on test failure

Auto-create repair on test failure — When enabled, a failed PAT test automatically creates a repair ticket in the Repairs module with the test results attached. The equipment is also automatically flagged as unavailable until the repair is completed and a retest passes. Default: Enabled.

Require photo evidence

Require photo evidence — When enabled, technicians must attach at least one photo when recording a PAT test result. This provides visual documentation of the equipment's condition at the time of testing and is valuable for audit trails and insurance claims. Default: Disabled.

Test Configuration tab

The Test Configuration tab defines what tests are performed and how results are recorded.

Default Equipment Class

Default Equipment Class — The default IET equipment class assigned to new equipment items. This determines which electrical tests are required:

• Class I — Equipment with a metal casing that relies on an earth connection for safety (e.g., mixing desks, amplifiers with metal chassis). Requires earth continuity testing in addition to insulation resistance.
• Class II — Double-insulated equipment that does not require an earth connection (e.g., most modern electronics, plastic-cased power tools). Earth continuity testing is not required.

Individual equipment items can override this default from their profile page. Default: Class I.

Visual inspection checklist

Visual inspection checklist — A list of visual inspection items that must be checked before electrical testing begins. Each item has a pass/fail checkbox. Default items include:

• Damage to outer casing or body
• Damage to cable or flex
• Damage to plug (cracks, bent pins)
• Correct fuse fitted
• Secure cable grip/strain relief
• Evidence of overheating or burn marks
• Adequate earth connection (Class I only)
• Equipment label present and legible

You can add, remove, or reorder checklist items. Custom items appear on the PAT test recording form alongside the defaults.

Required test types per class

Required test types per class — Configure which electrical tests are mandatory for each equipment class:

• Class I required tests: Earth Continuity, Insulation Resistance, and optionally Earth Leakage or Touch Current
• Class II required tests: Insulation Resistance, and optionally Touch Current

Tests not marked as required can still be recorded optionally. Required tests must all pass for the overall PAT test to receive a pass result.

Auto-create repair ticket on fail

Auto-create repair ticket on fail — When enabled, a failed PAT test automatically generates a repair ticket in the Repairs module. The ticket includes the test results, failed test types, and any photos attached during testing. The equipment status is set to "Under Repair" until a subsequent PAT test passes. Default: Enabled.

Photo requirements

Photo requirements — Configure photo evidence requirements for PAT tests:

• None — No photos required
• Before testing — One photo required before testing begins (shows equipment condition)
• After testing — One photo required after testing (shows applied PAT label)
• Before and after — Photos required both before and after testing

Default: None (controlled separately by the "Require photo evidence" toggle on the General tab).

Certificates tab

The Certificates tab controls the appearance and content of PAT test certificates generated by NexusRMS.

Certificate branding

Company logo — Upload a logo that appears on the PAT test certificate header. If not set, the company logo from General Settings is used. You may want a different logo for certificates (e.g., including a UKAS or trade body logo).

Brand colours — Set the primary and secondary colours used on the certificate. These affect the header bar, pass/fail indicators, and accent elements. Default: inherits from General Settings.

Certificate Number Prefix

Certificate Number Prefix — A prefix prepended to all PAT certificate numbers for identification. For example, setting the prefix to "PAT" generates certificate numbers like PAT-2025-00001. Default: PAT.

Certificate number format

Certificate number format — Choose the numbering format:

• Sequential — Simple incrementing number (PAT-00001, PAT-00002)
• Year-prefixed — Includes the year and resets annually (PAT-2025-00001, PAT-2026-00001)
• Custom — Define a custom pattern using variables: {prefix}, {year}, {month}, {sequence}

Default: Year-prefixed.

Footer text

Footer text — Custom text displayed at the bottom of every PAT certificate. Use this for legal disclaimers, testing standard references, or company certifications. Example: "Tested in accordance with the IET Code of Practice for In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment, 5th Edition." Default: empty.

Digital signature requirement

Digital signature requirement — When enabled, the technician performing the test must sign the certificate digitally (touch/stylus signature on the test recording screen). The signature is embedded in the certificate PDF. Default: Disabled.

Certificate expiry period

Certificate expiry period — The number of months a certificate remains valid. This usually matches the Default Test Frequency on the General tab. When a certificate expires, the equipment shows as requiring retesting. Default: 12 months (matches Default Test Frequency).

IET Thresholds tab

The IET Thresholds tab defines the pass/fail electrical thresholds for each test type. These values are based on the IET Code of Practice for In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment. Adjust these only if your organisation follows different standards or your equipment requires tighter tolerances.

Earth Continuity

Earth Continuity (Class I only) — Measures the integrity of the earth connection. The test passes if the resistance is below the configured maximum threshold.

• Class I maximum — Maximum acceptable resistance in ohms. Default: 0.1 ohms for appliances with a cable up to 5 metres. For longer cables, the threshold should be increased (approximately 0.01 ohms per additional metre).
• Class II — Not applicable. Class II equipment does not have an earth connection.

Insulation Resistance

Insulation Resistance — Measures the quality of insulation between live conductors and accessible parts. The test passes if the resistance is above the configured minimum threshold.

• Class I minimum — Minimum acceptable insulation resistance in megohms. Default: 1.0 megohms.
• Class II minimum — Minimum acceptable insulation resistance in megohms. Default: 2.0 megohms. Class II equipment requires higher insulation resistance because there is no earth path as a secondary safety measure.

Earth Leakage

Earth Leakage (Class I only) — Measures the current flowing through the earth conductor during normal operation. High earth leakage indicates deteriorating insulation.

• Class I maximum — Maximum acceptable earth leakage current in milliamps. Default: 3.5 mA for portable appliances, 5.0 mA for IT equipment. The default value applies to portable appliances.
• Class II — Not applicable.

Touch Current

Touch Current — Measures the current that would flow through a person touching the equipment. This is an alternative to earth leakage testing and is applicable to both Class I and Class II equipment.

• Class I maximum — Maximum acceptable touch current in milliamps. Default: 0.75 mA.
• Class II maximum — Maximum acceptable touch current in milliamps. Default: 0.25 mA. Class II has a stricter threshold because there is no earth path.

Important: These thresholds are pre-configured to IET Code of Practice recommended values. Only modify them if you have specific requirements from your health and safety officer, insurance provider, or regulatory body. Loosening thresholds below IET recommendations could compromise equipment safety and void insurance.

Notifications tab

The Notifications tab controls who receives alerts about PAT testing events and deadlines.

Test due reminders

Test due reminders — Configure when email reminders are sent before a PAT test is due. You can set multiple reminder intervals (e.g., 30 days before, 14 days before, 7 days before, and on the day). Each interval can be toggled on or off independently. Default: 30 days and 7 days before due date.

Failed test alerts

Failed test alerts — When enabled, an immediate email alert is sent when any equipment item fails a PAT test. The alert includes the equipment name, serial number, test results, and the name of the technician who performed the test. Default: Enabled.

Certificate expiry warnings

Certificate expiry warnings — Sends alerts when PAT certificates are approaching their expiry date. This is separate from test due reminders and applies to the certificate document itself. Useful for audit preparation. Default: Enabled, 14 days before expiry.

Recipient selection

Recipient selection — Choose which user roles receive PAT testing notifications:

• CoreAdmins — Receive all PAT notifications by default. Cannot be removed from the recipient list.
• CoreManagers — Optionally receive notifications. Useful if managers oversee equipment compliance. Default: Enabled.
• Technicians — Optionally receive notifications. Recommended if technicians are responsible for performing tests. Default: Enabled.
• Warehouse Staff — Optionally receive notifications. Useful if warehouse staff flag equipment for testing during check-in. Default: Disabled.

Individual users can also opt out of PAT notifications from their personal notification preferences, even if their role is enabled here.

Tips and best practices

• Start with Warning mode — When first enabling PAT testing, set enforcement to Warning rather than Block. This gives your team time to catch up on testing existing equipment without disrupting bookings.
• Set realistic test frequencies — The IET Code of Practice provides suggested frequencies based on equipment type and environment. Rental equipment used on construction sites may need testing every 3 months, while office equipment may only need annual testing.
• Enable auto-create repair on failure — This ensures failed equipment is immediately tracked through your repair workflow and cannot accidentally be sent out to a client.
• Do not change IET thresholds without expert advice — The default thresholds are set to IET recommended values. Loosening them could result in unsafe equipment being passed. Only tighten thresholds if your insurance or regulatory requirements demand it.
• Use digital signatures for accountability — Enabling the digital signature requirement creates a clear audit trail of who tested each item. This is valuable for insurance claims and regulatory inspections.
• Configure notifications for the right people — Avoid notification fatigue by only enabling PAT alerts for roles that can act on them. CoreAdmins for oversight, technicians for performing tests, and optionally warehouse staff for flagging items during check-in.
• Review thresholds annually — IET guidelines are updated periodically. Review your threshold configuration when new editions of the Code of Practice are published.
• Transition to Block mode — Once all existing equipment has been tested at least once, switch enforcement from Warning to Block. This prevents any untested equipment from reaching a client.

Next steps

Continue to the next article for Troubleshooting Settings, which covers common issues with settings configuration and how to resolve them.