A visual inspection involves physically checking the appliance for signs of damage or wear that might make it unsafe. It's the preliminary step before a PAT test. A PAT test, on the other hand, involves using specialized equipment to conduct electrical tests, ensuring the appliance's safety from an electrical perspective. -  Visual inspection checks for physical damage or wear.  -  It's the first step before conducting a PAT test.  -  A PAT test uses specialized equipment for electrical safety checks