In essence, test and tag is a means of making sure that electrical appliances are safe to use. It ensures that the equipment in question can be used without posing a danger to people who use it. The general idea behind test and tag is simple, if an appliance or piece of equipment doesn’t pass a safety check, then it isn’t fit for purpose. That being said, there are various ways in which the term “test and tag” can be interpreted.
If you only do electrical or fire equipment testing, be sure to limit your services to the needs of your clients. However, if you want to keep OH&S/WH&S compliant and maintain safety in your workplace, specialists who can perform a variety of compliance checks including Electrical testing, Fire Equipment testing, Safety Switch (RCD) testing, Emergency Exit Light testing and maintenance as well as First Aid kit maintenance are available. They may also assist to lower the danger of serious injury to your workers and consumers, as well as avoid significant OH&S/WH&S penalties.
What is Test and Tag Australia?
Testing and tagging is an electrical service that is performed to make sure your electrical equipment is safe to use. First, they look at the equipment for flaws, damage, and missing components for a visual check. Second, they conduct electrical tests on insulation resistance, polarity, and earth continuity to determine the safety status of the equipment. The appropriate safety status is then marked (labelled) onto the equipment with tags (stickers).
It’s crucial to test and tag your equipment because it ensures that the electrical aspect is correct. It does not, however, imply that your goods are functioning according to manufacturer instructions. The requirements for test and tag are different in each state, but generally, it is required to have your equipment tested annually. If you sell goods that require testing, you need to keep your customers safe while they use or store your goods. It’s the law and using a professional service for electrically testing in order to avoid an electrical hazard is very important.
Qualified professionals visually inspect all electrical appliances.
Why it’s Important to Test and Tag Electrical Equipment?
It is important to test and tag electrical equipment because it ensures that the electrical aspect of the equipment is safe. It does not, however, mean that your goods are working according to their manufacturer’s instructions. Professionals could usually help you with:
- Identify possible electrical risks, such as faulty equipment.
- Stay up to speed on your safety plans without trouble. Professionals arrange the arrangements, and it’s left in their capable and experienced hands.
- They replace broken or damaged garage door springs in an efficient, no-hassle manner.
- To you and your staff, maintain personal and equipment safety.
- All of your testing needs, knowing that they may be carried out by experts who are licensed and certified.
- Certificates of Conformity and Registration
It’s also important to know which electrical appliance could that professional test. Some of the services they could provide include:
- Visually inspecting all relevant electrical items
- The ability of a material to resist dampness and moisture
- Leaks occurred on the roof or elsewhere.
- Positive and negative connections
- Resistance to earth, as well as the formation of earth bonds
- Make sure everything is in a secure condition.
Under the Australian Standard AS/NZS 3760: 2010, testing and tagging are completed for In-Service Safety Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment.
Why it’s Important to Test and Tag Electrical Appliances?
If you’re an employer in Australia, you need to follow workplace health and safety standards. This implies that you need to ensure that all of your electrical equipment is in good working order. Electrical equipment becomes worn over time, which is unfortunate. Testing and tagging are part of a company’s overall safety strategy. On a regular basis, testing and tagging are required to maintain workplace electrical compliance with Workplace Health and Safety rules. This assures your duty of care.
If you don’t follow the electrical requirements, your firm may be labelled insignificant and responsible for a workplace accident. Your insurance may deny your claim or cancel your coverage. This might impact future insurers who may cover your business, as well as incur higher account coverage costs. Your company could also be fined, penalised, or face imprisonment if the incident was due to negligence.
Test and Tag Australia is a service that has been legally required by Australian legislation for many years now. It’s an inspection process for electrical equipment, including appliances. Any above-board business which fulfils this requirement may have the relevant documentation shown on the premises at all times.
Class Testing and Tagging of Electrical Equipment
In a nutshell, any gadget with a flexible cable and a detachable plug that is not high voltage (not more than 50V). This includes extension cords, cord sets, and portable RCDs. Usually, electrical appliances are divided into two categories:
Class I – This is an earthed appliance such as kettles, irons and toasters.
Class II – Most double insulated appliances have a symbol (a square within a square) or the words “Double Insulated,” for example, most electric drills and hair dryers.
It’s worth noting that new equipment does not need to be tested, they simply need to pass a visually inspecting test and then be labelled.
How Often to Test and Tag?
Based on the sort of surroundings in which the equipment is used, Australian Standards prescribe different test and tag cycles. This is indicated in the AS 3760 Standard by ‘Table 4,’ which lists the minimal requirement. This might vary depending on a company’s risk assessment. In any case, a moderate risk installation could be tested and tagged on an annual basis. A high-risk installation has a test and tag cycle of six months.
A new AS 3760: 2010 clause was created to cater for low-risk installations through the introduction of a ‘Table 5.’ It’s also important to remember that testing is an ongoing process. If there are any modifications to the equipment, it could be tested before use.
Who Can Test and Tag?
Ideally, companies that solely conduct this service could follow Workplace Health and Safety rules and regulations. These include gaining qualifications in electrical installation or repair, as well as complying with state licensing requirements (when applicable). They might also be properly insured. That said, it’s crucial to check the paperwork of any firm you plan to hire for this service, as well as their experience and qualifications.
Testing and tagging could only ever be performed by a qualified electrician or electrical inspector who has been accredited with an electrical association. This might include the Australian Electrical Inspectorate (AEI), AS/NZS 4801:2001 assessors from NICEIC, or other approved testing bodies. Unfortunately, there are many individuals out there that claim they can test and tag your appliances when they have not been qualified to do so. In any case, checks may be completed before anything is plugged into a socket
To ensure compliance with safety standards, it’s important to note that all electrical appliances need to be checked to Australian Standards AS/NZS 3760. This includes appliances that are supplied by a 3-pin plug attached to a portable lead. If the appliance is not designed for use with a 3-pin plug, it might have been approved as being safe for use with a 2-pin socket outlet.
Labelling Faulty Electrical Equipment
After an appliance has been tested and tagged, it’s important to write down this information on the label attached to the product. The electrical safety test and tag label could include:
- Name of business or person responsible for testing, as well as their contact details.
- Date of test, when the appliance was first inspected and found to comply with safety standards (or did not)
- Test report number, to ensure if there are any queries about the result of testing, it can be easily traced back to the appliance
- Serial Number, this is useful in case further investigation is required in an event of a fault or accident
As well as these elements, the label could also include the name and address details for any electrical association that accredited the testing company. Some examples are NICEIC or Australian Electrical Inspectorate (AEI).
Portable Appliance Test, What is it?
The most important piece of equipment employed by someone testing and tagging a portable appliance is the portable appliance tester, commonly known as a PAT Tester or simply as a PAT. It permits you to examine an electrical device to verify that it is safe, which it does by providing you with results on whether it passed or failed your specific criteria.
There are several variables to consider before purchasing an appliance tester, such as how much you want to spend (they range from $500 to $3000) and what level of functionality you require. The more you spend, the more features you’ll get. You may now simply browse portable appliance tester reviews on each and determine which is the best device for your needs.
It’s significant to note that most faults or flaws are generally discovered during the visual inspection of the electrical equipment, which is done before you use your appliance tester. Portable electrical appliances may meet strict safety requirements before they can be placed on the market. To check that appliances are safe, it’s vital to test and tag them with a PAT Tester.
Testing and Tagging a Type 1 and Type 2 Safety Switch
The kind of work being done determines how often safety switches are checked. The list below summarizes the longest time between checks. If the equipment is safe, you need to attach a long-lasting tag with a warning indicating when the next test is due. The following list displays the type of work and the fixed safety switch test and tag period for maximum electrical safety.
- Construction work 1-month push-button user test with an operating time of 12 months
- Manufacturing work 6-months push-button user test with an operating time of 12 months
- Office work 6-months push-button user test with an operating time of 24 months
- Amusement work 6-months push-button user test with an operating time of 12 months
- Service work 6-months push-button user test with an operating time of 24 months
The following list displays testing and tagging electrical tools which have a portable safety switch, to ensure maximum personal safety.
- Construction work Daily push-button user test with an operating time of 3 months
- Manufacturing work Daily push-button user test with an operating time of 12 months
- Office work 3-months push-button user test with an operating time of 24 months
- Amusement work 3-months push-button user test with an operating time of 12 months
- Commercial cleaning equipment work daily push-button user test with an operating time of 6 months
- Service work 6-months push-button user test with an operating time of 24 months
If equipment fails testing, it could be immediately removed from service and a sturdy warning tag needs to be affixed to inform users not to use the equipment. If the equipment is safe, you may attach a long-lasting tag that indicates when the next test date is.
What is an RCD?
An RCD (Residual Current Device) is a safety switch that is also known as an ELCB (Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker). It’s designed to “trip” and cut power to faulty electrical equipment, preventing harmful electrical shock. The RCD could be tested under section 165 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 to ensure that ‘trip times’ are functional. It’s critical to verify your RCD is in good working order.
How Can I Test My RCD?
Appliance testers are used to detect earth leakage. The appliance tester may provide a reading if the RCD is working properly, which you can then use to determine whether or not your RCD passes. If an appliance tester provides no reading, the device isn’t working properly and needs to be replaced. Electrical appliances are able to supply power to your home, however, they are also the cause of many electrical safety issues if they are faulty or poorly used. It’s important to ensure all appliances are tested on a regular basis to avoid any accidents or injuries around the household.
