FAQs

Electrical testing and tagging is the visual inspection and testing of plug-in 240V or 415V electrical items. All workplaces across Australia have a duty of care and must be able to demonstrate systems for the safe operation of appliances, including electrical safety.

Testing and tagging is a method that reduces the risk of electrical shock to your employees, customers and visitors.

During testing, each electrical equipment is thoroughly inspected visually, tested with a PAT-tester and has a tag put on the lead. ElectroTechnics uses digitally printed stickers with all required details. In addition, we use heavy duty tags, which resist dirt, oils, etc. Following onsite testing and tagging, a detailed report is emailed to you as a PDF containing all test results.

SafeWork NSW reports that between 2012 and 2015 over 2,000 workers were injured during electrical work. Six were permanently disabled and five died.

Even if your workplace is not considered a hostile environment for electrical appliances and equipment, you should schedule testing and tagging at least once every 5 years. SafeWork NSW sets out required inspection intervals for different types of workplaces.

From a purely financial perspective, while failure to meet testing obligations can lead to fines, some insurers may reduce your premiums if you can prove you’re testing and tagging electrical equipment regularly.

Get some peace of mind about requirements, inspection intervals and assessing workplace electrical risks here.

All test and tag bookings can be arranged during office hours from 8.00 am until 5.30 pm Monday to Friday. Special requests can be made to conduct onsite inspections outside these trading hours by emailing info@electrotechnics.com.au or via our contact form.

We can make arrangements to visit your business outside these hours or on the weekend to ensure minimal workplace disruption. Pricing for this service may differ from our standard rates.

The tag, which may be colour coded to identify the period in which the test was performed, shall include

the name of the person or the company who performed the tests; and

test or re-test date.

According to the Worksafe NSW website and AS/NZS 3012, colour coded tags for each period are optional. Some constructions companies may set this colour codes as a requirement for the labourers and subcontractors on site. Because of this and also for easy identification, ElectroTechnics Test & Tag uses this recommended colour code:

Red – December, January, February

Green – March, April, May

Blue – June, July, August

Yellow – September, October, November

A Class I appliance has it chassis and/or other metal parts connected to the electrical earth with an earth conductor (green/yellow). When we perform an earth resistant test, we measure the resistance between the chassis and the earth pin of the plug.

A Class II appliance is electrical double insulated and its construction allows not having an earth conductor. All Class II appliances must have a double square (square in a square) symbol and/or the text ‘Double insulated’ on the data plate.

When testing and tagging a residual current device (RCD), we check if it is a Type I or Type II classification. The RCD may be fixed or portable (PRCD), but this has no impact on the trip time.

Type I : ≤ 10mA

Type II : > 10 mA and ≤ 30 mA

RCD’s are tested according to the type of RCD and the maximum tripping time shall not exceed the following values:

RCD Type I, with a test current of 10 mA: Maximum tripping time is 40 ms,

RCD Type II, with a test current of 30 mA: Maximum tripping time is 300 ms.

Permanently wired to terminals in equipment RCD’s shall be tested using the RCD test button only.

When there is non-compliance with the current standard, the equipment shall be appropriately labelled. This to indicate the equipment needs further action and also as a warning against further use.

The choice of remedial procedure, disposal or other corrective action shall be determined by the owner or the person responsible for the safety of the site where the equipment is used.