Testing procedure

Basics of appliance testing

Appliances used in all New Zealand and Australian businesses are required to be tested according to the standard AS/NZS 3760. by OSH and electrical regulations.

This requires a visual inspection, various electrical tests with a portable Appliance Tester or PAT tester (as pictured) and tagging with a durable tag stating the testing technicians name and the date tested.

Any failed appliance, is to be labelled and withdraw from service until it is repaired or disposed of at the discretion of the owner.

Our Appliance Testing Procedure

Client Liaison:

Our technician will make him or herself known to the site contact person upon arrival at the testing premises. The technician will liaise with this person in all matters regarding the schedule of testing on the premises, timing of testing etc. and advise this person of any appliances that fail the testing.

Testing Procedure

Appliances to be tested as per AS/NZS 3760 include: any appliance or equipment connected by a plug and lead to the power supply where the lead may be subject to flexing or damage. This testing includes portable appliances, hand-held appliances, IT equipment, extension leads and stationary equipment or appliances.

Inspection including:

a) The flex and plug will be inspected for any damage, ensuring it is free from cuts, fraying, signs of heating, or stress of the inner cores.

b) The appliance will be inspected to ensure that it is in safe order, including ensuring that it switches on and off properly, the casing or cabinet has no damage that could result in access to live parts, ventilation areas are clear and all other parts are in safe condition.

Class I - Earthed Equipment

Earth continuity test - this is done with our Portable Appliance Tester (PAT) at 100 mA to 25 Amps depending on the appliance type.

Insulation or leakage test - A leakage test at 240 volts will be done on appliances that have internal switching, that is only activated when the equipment under test is powered at operating voltage.

For equipment that does not have internal switching as above then a 500 Volt insulation test will be done.

Class II - Double Insulated Equipment

Insulation or leakage test - A leakage test at 240 volts will be done on appliances that have internal switching, that is only activated when the equipment under test is powered at operating voltage. For equipment that does not have internal switching as above then a 500 Volt insulation test will be done.

Remembering that Class II equipment relies solely on insulation for safety i.e. has no protective earth connection - meaning the results of the leakage test are very important.

3 Phase leads and machines

Inspection, earth and other tests as appropriate for individual 3 phase appliances are carried out.

Cord Extension Sets

Earth continuity test at 10 or 25 amps

Insulation test at 500 or 250v

Polarity check at 40v

RCD's

Earth continuity test

Insulation resistance test

Polarity check at 40v

Tested for trip time - under 40 milliseconds. (by a separate dedicated RCD tester)

Tests on computer and IT equipment are specially designed to eliminate the possibility

of damage to equipment or loss of data.

No operational tests are carried out on computer CPUs.

labelling:

a) A Test Tag will be attached to each appliance that passes with the test date and other information.

We use small unobtrusive medium duty tags for offices, schools, rest homes, laboratories and medium wear environments.

We use heavy duty Tags for building sites, workshops and high wear environments.

b) Appliances that fail testing will repaired if possible or be labelled with a DANGER DO NOT USE tag and identified to the appropriate staff member.

c) Our testing remains consistent right throughout the country using the same systems and latest test equipment.

Documentation

A certified report will be provided on the overall condition of your appliances.

A separate list of appliances that failed testing will be supplied showing details of the reason for the failure.

A report of the testing will be supplied with the number of appliances tested and the number of failed items.

Display Certificates for the staff room or reception to advise that the appliances on the premises have been tested for electrical safety.

Any other detailed report that you have arranged for us to do.

You do not have to worry about keeping up to date with your testing, as we remind you when your appliances are due for a retest.

We specialise in portable appliance testing and utilises the latest test equipment to keep your compliance costs to a minimum. Our equipment is updated regularly to keep up with technology.

Our qualified staff carry out all aspects of testing and use the Seaward range of testers to meet NZ Standard AS/NZS 3760. These make us more efficient than our competitors and therefore able to offer the best service and price. Portable appliance testing carried out by AT 3760 will take less time, causing you and your staff the minimum amount of disruption. Out of hours testing is also an option we offer our clients free of charge to further minimise disruption. We are 100% customer focused - that's why our clients choose AT 3760 to carry out their portable appliance testing.

You can confidently leave the management of the Test & Tag Service in our hands.

Electrical contractors and agents Business opportunity.

Detailed description of basic Electricity.

A phone charger caused this

and this. It pay to test.

Importance of testing

"We come across dangerous appliances every day in schools and businesses.

Look at this electrical accident report by the NZ Energy Safety Service”

Appliances (ten accidents) and power lines (eight accidents) were the major contributors to fatal electrical accidents.

125 electrical accidents caused injury to 134 people.

About 40% of the appliance and installation accidents and 20% of total accidents were due to a lack of maintenance.

“This highlights the need for Electrical Safety and is why Appliance safety testing is compulsory.” - Bruce Gordon.

More Electrical Accident Reports:

www.energysafety.govt.nz/templates/StandardSummary____17949.aspx

Printable pdf Fact sheet

Company management and safety officers are personally liable under OSH regulations to ensure that testing is carried out competently.

Fines of up to $500,000 and imprisonment for up to 2 years are the penalties when there is an accident with an un tagged electrical appliance.

legislation detail

Government legislation has been in place for a number of years encouraging employers to minimize the risk of accident by electrical fault and in order for organisation's to meet the safety guidelines, all electrical workplace appliances (anything with a 2 or 3 pin plug) must be tested on a regular basis.

The Electricity Act 1992 contains a number of regulations that reinforce that obligation.

Penalty structures exist up to $50,000 under the Electricity Regulations and up to $500,000 under the Health and Safety in Employment Act, depending upon the severity of the offence.

Should an electrical accident occur in the workplace OSH could use non-compliance with standard AS/NZS 3760 as the basis for any prosecution.

Occupational Health and Safety Regulations

OSH places the duty of care on employers and employees to ensure the safety of everybody at work. They require that, "as may be necessary to prevent danger, all systems shall be maintained so as to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, such danger".

Maintaining safety is compulsory, and unless you have complied with AS/NZS3760 as a minimum then OSH would not consider you have taken all reasonable steps to provide a safe workplace and would likely use non-compliance with AS/NZS3760 as the basis for prosecution should the need arise.

Penalties

An electrical accident on your premises could cost someone's life, and you may be fined $500,000 with two years in imprisonment under Section 49 and 50 of the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992.

Hospitality Industry

Regulations require all organisation's to provide a safe workplace and environment for staff and guests, which includes electrical safety such as appliances in rooms, cleaning, kitchen and maintenance equipment. Rooms are recommended for testing on a 2-year rotation.

Compliance cost it is generally regarded as a pro-active safety initiative as well as a quasi-insurance cover as OSH would deem appliance testing as taking all practical steps to provide a safe environment and minimising the chance of an electrical accident. Having up to date safety tags visible on all appliances show staff and guests that you have taken care of their safety. This is a good point of difference with others that have not complied.

Schools, Polytechnic and Universities

Reported figures show that 15% of serious injuries caused by electricity occur in schools and colleges. This level of accidents illustrates the need for continual vigilance whenever electricity is being used.

The Ministry of Education Website advocates that for all educational facilities to provide a safe environment for students, electrical standard, AS/NZS 3760 is the guideline for achieving that level of electrical safety.

AT 3760 offers schools a special rate with early payment. MOE testing information

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