Not many people know about the details when it comes to electrical testing and tagging. What is actually tested? How is it tested? Who is doing the testing? Electrical appliances are not things to be played with and take risks, and can cause serious issues if not operating correctly. Even more to be aware of is the fact that a lot of fraud is going on in the electrical industry, and you must be super careful who you go to. As a result, there are some things you want to make sure of before getting your equipment tested, or doing the testing yourself.
5 things to know about test and tag services.
1. A test tag label must meet the following requirements of ASNZ 3760:
- Full test date ie. 09/05/2018 NOT 05/18
- Full retest date ie. 09/05/2019 NOT 05/19
- Name of person or company that has carried out the testing
- Be non-reusable
- Non-metallic
- MUST HAVE REFERENCE TO ASNZS 3760
2. Records are not mandatory however it shouldn’t cost you any more to get them and if your supplier does not want to supply them or tells you you don’t need them they are possibly fraudsters. Records should have numerical values showing what test has been carried out and the limits at which it passed.
3. It is not possible for a single testing technician to carry out hundreds of tests in a day. Anything above 200 per day and alarms should be ringing (ask for records to prove this).
4. All Test Equipment has limitations and should be calibrated make sure the company doing your testing has an up-to-date calibration certificates and can prove what their equipment can do.
5. Are they testing for compliance or safety? Would you test a life jacket with a 10 kg weight if you weigh 100 kilos? Why do it with electrical safety?
