One could question the need to PATest them at all. A visual inspection (looking for signs of damage to cables, plugs and chargers) should suffice. Frequency of examination (test if you must) how about every time the loan equipment goes out and is returned?

There is no set frequency for this. PAT test frequencies are determined by assessment of the type of equipment and the environment that they are operated in. If the portable appliance is something like a trailing / extention cable used in an engineering workshop you may decide a 6 monthly test is appropriote due to the high risk that damage could occur. In the case of your laptops I agree with Ian. Steve

Hi Craig There has a lot of discussion over this issue within the HE Sector and so far there has been no consensus on what should be done. Some do test others do not. It’s a difficult issue as the laptops are the property of the students. Also the practical difficulties of ensuring 100% compliance are all but impossible when a typical University will have in excess of 15000 students. Where laptops and other items are loaned out then they should be tested. This may be a simple visual inspection as sugested by others. If you are in the HE Sector have a look at www.usha.org.uk John