Category: Electrical Test And Tagging

There is no better time to start your own test and tag business than now. When it comes to potentially dangerous tasks like testing and tagging electrical appliances, people are more likely to outsource rather than DIY. Business owners and company managers also have greater awareness now of their responsibility for ensuring their employees’ safety.

But before you go ahead and draw up a business plan, know what’s required to succeed within the industry so you can save yourself a lot of time and money.

1. Knowledge and competency

Besides having a strong understanding of the job, the bare minimum requirement here is obtaining competency. It’s not enough that you know the procedures and instruments involved. While you don’t have to be an electrician, you must pass the test in order to be considered a “competent person.”

How do you do that? By getting the proper training and advice, as well as getting practical experience with various test scenarios.

2. Testing equipment

There are different test equipment options available, and it’s imperative that you know each one very well. Basically, you must know the specific features to look for in a portable appliance testing (PAT) equipment. Since you’re offering test and tag as a service, you’ll need an extensive range of tests at your disposal.

When investing in test equipment, consider solutions that can be upgraded as your business grows. For example, some testers allow you to add a printing functionality.

Once you have established your Test and Tag business, Metrotest can assist with tag design and supply making you more competitive and professional than any other companies in you ares. Check out our current Test and Tag supplies.

3. Support network

Having support in every part of the business is vital to its success. Since you’re new to the business,  you’ll want to build a support network to help you at some point. This can include getting acquainted with industry associations to stay on top of industry updates, or knowing where to get technical advice when you’re onsite.

Aside from the technical aspects, you’ll also need support in the business part of it — bookkeeping, insurance, management, etc.

Satisfied clients are also an integral part of  strong support system. So as you start in the business, be sure to follow best practices. For instance, as we’re talking about potentially dangerous appliances and human safety, it’s a big no-no to take shortcuts when testing and tagging.

Mindful and quality service is what will build your reputation, which will result in repeat business.

4. Professional reporting

Since you are providing professional services, your level of reporting must be at the same standard. These reports are a company manager’s proof that they are doing their job of keeping employees safe at work. So more likely than not, they will require a detailed testing report that shows extra information other than the Pass/Fail remarks.

A professional report must include the items that were tested, actual test readings, testing/retesting dates, numerical values of the testing that was carried out etc. What you’ll need in addition to the right testing equipment is a software that will streamline the reporting process.

If you need help getting started, sign up for one of our Test and Tag Training Courses today!

When it comes to test and tag, Metrotest have been involved right from the beginning and creating Test and Tag labels is no exception.

That is why we thought is was time to shed some light on what you should be getting with your test and tag labels! You’re probably thinking a label is a label, what does it matter. Well you would be WRONG. Not all labels are created equal.

Think of it like this, if you are going to attach a label to a passed piece of electrical equipment, it must have certain information on the tag. Much like a warrant of fitness for a car, an electrical test and tag must state specific information.

So what are the requirements?

1) The tag must be:

1. Durable – Test and tag labels must be highly tear resistant. The ink used for printing must also be resistant to fading in order to protect the information written on the label. For these reasons, we at Metrotest use tough thermal transfer labels.
2. Non-Reusable – The test tag labels contain information that is specific to only one appliance for a particular period of time. This is to ensure accuracy of testing information at all times. Hence, the tag must not be reusable once removed.
3. Non-Metallic – Obviously, metals are electrical conductors so the test tag labels must be non-metallic.

2) Must state a test date

This is the date of the test. It should be clearly stated as well as the retest date to ensure that the appliance is inspected within the recommended test and tag interval for its class. This must be the date the test was carried out, a test month is not suitable.

3) Must state a retest date

Test and tag intervals vary depending on the classification of the electrical appliance and the environment in which it is used. In other words, one piece of electrical equipment may need retesting sooner than another one, so the retest date must be clearly stated to ensure safe operation and compliance. Essentially, the retest date also shows the validity period of the test tag.

4) Must state the name of the company or person who carried out the testing

Since any competent person can carry out test and tag, the ‘Tested By’ field can bear either the name of the person conducting the test and/or the company they represent. If you are using custom tags, then this field can basically be your name printed or the logo of the company doing the test.

5) Must reference the AS/NZS3760

It is compulsory to have the ‘Tested to AS/NZS 3760’ label printed on the test tag, which means the testing process was compliant with the Australian and New Zealand Standards. So you might think all tags will have this printed. However, tags that were imported from overseas or are old may lack this information so it’s a good idea to check.

Here are some other vital information that may be included in the test tag labels:

• Tag Number – Either pre-printed or handwritten, the tag number helps test and tag professionals with records keeping.
• Licence/Certificate Number – This is the individual test and tag licence/certificate number of your inspector. Although it is not a requirement, it shows your test and tag technician is duly qualified and competent.
• Plant Item Number – For purposes of records keeping, this field can provide easy reference for the item’s test history. This number remains the same for the life of the appliance.

Electrical equipment that are newly purchased in New Zealand must also be tested and tagged prior to going into service. In Australia only, aside from an ocular check, they won’t need any further inspection. It is customary to put ‘New to Service’ tags on such items which indicate that they will require testing and tagging in the future.

For a ‘New to Service’ tag, the following information must be stated:

• Date of entry to service
• Date of future testing
• “This appliance has not been tested in accordance with AS/NZS 3760”

These are required for your equipment to be compliant with the standard, if you do not meet all of these requirements or the contractor you have hired to carry out your testing does not have this information on the tags, the probability is that you are getting an appliance check rather than full electrical safety testing, which is likely fraudulent, and at the least, safety is uncertain. Is an appliance check that is not compliant really worth spending your money on?

There are provisions within the AS/NZS 3760 and AS/NZS3012 to use colour coding for testing periods, this is not a requirement for New Zealand however it can be very helpful. The use of different colour labels allows for the person carrying out the testing to easily identify out of date equipment and can also be seen by other staff to help keep on top of testing if required.

Generally, electrical devices or equipment used in construction, mining and demolition sites are required to use time-specific test tag colours:

In all other industries, the use of a custom colour coding system is allowed. The most common colours used are blue, yellow, green, orange, purple, white, grey and red. We recommend using a different colour for each test and tagging period so it’s easier for you to check which items are due for testing and when.

Whether you need pre-printed tags or custom printed labels, we have the best solution for you. Call us on 0800 638 768 to discuss your test label options!

The new year has just begun and business is getting back underway. This is the perfect time to make sure you have everything sorted for the coming year. Which includes test and tagging your electrical appliances.

Getting your appliances tested and tagged will ensure they are in good condition for use throughout the year, and it also means that you will not have to worry about getting it done later, so you can focus on your work. It will also ensure that your workplace is safe. Some benefits include:

• Ensuring a safe working environment
• Preventing problems with your appliances from occurring
• Keeping risk of dangers to a minimum
• Avoiding legal problems and fines

How to test and tag
There are several options you have if you decide to test and tag your appliances in Auckland. You can take our test and tag training course, where you will learn how to test your own appliances and become a legally competent individual, and do the test and tagging yourself, or you can take advantage of our test and tag service in Auckland and let us do it for you.

If you take the course, you will get:

• Training on how to test all electrical appliance types in New Zealand
• How to use PAT testers to test the appliances and print or fill out labels
• Receive a Metrotest ID card stating you are a competent person to test and tag

If you hire us, you will get:

• Professional service by experts in test and tag
  
• Guaranteed safety and accuracy
• Assurance that your electrical equipment is safe
• Free full reporting (many testing companies charge extra for this)

In either case, by taking action you will ensure that the electrical appliances in your workplace are safe, in good working order and will be ready to get the job done in 2019. You will also ensure that your workplace conforms to legal requirements.

If you would like more information, get in touch with us at Metrotest today!

Put simply, earth leakage or ground leakage is electric current that “leaks” to earth or ground via an unintended conductive path – usually through the insulation. When this occurs, a live phase comes in contact with the ground, creating a fault current that’s enough to activate the corresponding circuit breaker.

In some cases, it may not result in a fault current right if the live phase comes in contact with a device that is not in contact with the earth. But the moment someone touches the device containing the live phase, the resulting fault current begins to flow through the person to the earth, resulting in what we call as electrocution.

What Causes Earth Leakage?

Earth leakage can occur unintentionally or by design. More specifically, unintentional earth leakage may happen due to insulation or equipment faults. On the other hand, some electrical systems such as high-frequency fluorescent lighting and IT equipment normally produce small amounts of leakage under normal operating conditions.

Regardless of the source, earth leakage must be tested and protected to prevent causing electric shocks. One protection method is to use an isolated power system (IPS) integrated with an insulation monitoring device. A more common method is by integrating an automatic disconnection of the supply (ADS), which is usually based on residual current devices (RCDs) or residual current circuit breakers with overcurrent protection (RCBOs).

Both RCDs and RCBOs monitor and compare the current flowing in the line and neutral conductors. Any difference in the measurements that exceeds the sensitivity setting or mA rating of the RCD or RCBO will cause the device to trip.

Earth leakage protection works as well as intended most of the time. However, there are times when the RCD or RCBO device trips for no apparent reason, i.e. “nuisance” tripping. This is where the need for an earth leakage current testing arises.

How is Earth Leakage Tested?

If you encounter nuisance tripping problems, you can use an earth leakage clamp meter to measure the imbalance between the line and neutral conductors which is the total earth leakage of the system. An earth leakage clamp meter allows you to test the circuit in a safe, fast and easy way. It is a handheld device that you simply clamp around a conductor and will instantly give you a reading of the actual leakage current. It can detect small currents down to a hundredth of a milliamp, so you can use this to find the problem circuit. From there, you can either isolate the broken circuit or go on to find out if there’s a particular problem appliance.

Once the problematic circuit is located, you need to figure out whether the earth leakage is intentional or unintentional. If unintentional or caused by a fault, the fault must be repaired. Intentional earth leakage may require some form of circuit splitting or load spreading.

Who can carry out earth leakage testing?

Any competent person may test low-voltage circuits where the alternating current is below 1,000 V. Where the electricity supply exceeds that limit or hard wiring is required, only a licensed electrician may conduct the RCD testing.

Although test and tag procedure is not mandatory in New Zealand, it is a useful way for employers to meet the legal requirement of ensuring the safety of all plug-in electrical equipment. Testing and tagging involves two parts: first is a visual inspection to check for any signs of damage, and the next is an electrical check using a Portable Appliance Tester (PAT).

Electrical inspection is done on a regular basis, the frequency of which is primarily determined by the type of environment where the equipment is used. For instance, equipment in the construction, demolition and mining sector are required to be tested and tagged every three months. This is due to the harsh nature of the work (i.e. high use, high risk), which is likely to damage the equipment faster.

Which equipment needs to be tested and tagged?

Any device that has a removable plug, a flexible cord and is not low voltage, e.g. extension leads and portable RCD’s.

Portable electrical appliances are classified as either:

• Class I – earthed appliances such as irons, kettles and toasters
• Class II – doubled insulated appliances such as hair dryers and electric drills.

New fittings and appliances must be visually inspected and tagged before first use, and consequently at a frequency based on risk assessment and understanding. Used appliances are deemed electrically safe if it is tested, inspected and tagged in accordance with AS/NZS 5761. Used electrical medical devices are specifically test and marked in accordance with AS/NZ 3551.

Who can test and tag?

Contrary to common belief, you do not need to be a registered electrician to test and tag electrical equipment. However, you do need to have the required knowledge and skill in carrying out the procedure.

Electrical (Safety) Regulations 2010 requires that inspection of electrical equipment must be done by a ‘Competent Person’. As per the AS/NZS 3760 In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment, a test and tag personnel must have the following competencies:

• Knowledge and skill to carry out a visual examination of portable electrical devices
• Ability to distinguish between double insulated and protectively earthed electrical equipment, and identify the correct test for each class
• Ability to perform the earthing continuity tests on electrical appliances in a compliant manner
• Ability to perform the insulation resistance tests in accordance with the standards
• Ability to test residual current devices or safety switches as per the standards
• Knowledge in the proper use of relevant testing instruments and interpreting results
• Understanding of any electrical safety regulations or legislation that may apply in the jurisdiction where testing and tagging is performed.

In other words, the person carrying out the task must have a clear understanding of what to look for and what to do.

Test and tag competency can be achieved by completing training, gaining qualifications, or having experience (or a combination of these) in using a PAT tester and tagging equipment properly. There is currently no recognised or formal registration system for test and tag technicians, although you may receive a “test and tag certificate/licence” after completing a test and tag course.

What this means for you

Whether you are an employer or a self-employed person, you are responsible for ensuring that the person who is inspecting, testing and tagging electrical equipment in your workplace is competent.

You can hire a third-party service to carry out the task. Alternatively, you can purchase your own PAT tester and train one of your workers to use it. Many companies go with the second option for a number of reasons:

• It allows them to schedule the test and tag procedure around regular work hours, and thus
• It minimises disruption to the workflow, and
• It does not hamper productivity

It is also more economical if you have a huge number of portable appliances to be tested and if your equipment is open to abuse. By abuse, it means your equipment is constantly in use or exposed to high heat, moisture, chemical corrosion, or mechanical wear and tear.

Should a device be found to be faulty, it must be tagged as out of action and only a registered electrical worker must fix it.

It is an offence under ES Regulations to tag or mark a fitting or appliance with an incorrect or false tag relating to electrical safety. The person who commits this offence is liable on conviction to a level 2 penalty.

A certificate of conformity or test report that shows that a low-voltage fitting or appliance meets all required standards serves as conclusive evidence that the equipment is safe to use. It is also proof that an employer took steps to ensure an electrically safe worksite.

For test and tag product supply and training, send us a line at [email protected] or call us on 0800 638 768.

Working near electricity or using electrical appliances is dangerous, and accidents such as electrocution or arc flashes can lead to fatal consequences. To ensure a safe workplace, employers are obligated to have electrical appliances on site inspected and labelled properly.

As per standards and regulations, all electrical equipment, tools and leads sold in New Zealand must be tested on a regular basis – a procedure we know as ‘test and tag’. This reduces the risk to workers using the equipment. Testing and tagging must be carried out by a trained professional, using proper testing tools.

How often electrical appliances should be inspected depends mainly on the type of environment where they are used or located. The general guidelines are as follows:

• New appliances – before initial use
• Building sites –every three months
• Factories – every six months
• Commercial workplaces, offices and most other applications – yearly or up to 5 years in some situations.

The AS/NZ 3760:2010 (Table 4) sets the minimum required standard interval for test and tag frequency in New Zealand. The frequencies may vary according to each workplace’s specific risk management practices and OHS planning.

Table 4: AS/NZ 3760 Test and Tag Intervals

The hostile environment referred to in the table include exposure to conditions of heat, moisture, vibration, corrosive chemicals and mechanical damage.

Electrical testing standards

In addition to following the standard inspection time intervals, you need to make sure that the procedure meets all requirements set out by AS/NZS 3760:2010 for:

• testing the equipment,
• tagging equipment once they have been tested, and
• recording the test results of the expected life of the appliance.

Schedule 4 of the Electrical (Safety) Regulations 2010 lists recognised standards for all commonly available electrical products. All other standards not specifically stated can be found on Schedule 2 of the Regulations under AS/NZ 3820 – Essential Safety Requirements for Electrical Equipment.

Where an appliance is found to be faulty, it should immediately be tagged as “out of action” until necessary repairs are done by a professional.

What kind of equipment must be tested?

• All equipment that are plugged into the low voltage power supply
• Portable outlet devices or power boards
• Portable transformers
• Portably heavy-duty tools
• Residual current devices
• Battery chargers
• Flexible cords that are connected to equipment in high-risk environments, such as laboratories

Other devices or appliances that fall under the following conditions don’t require testing:

• Equipment that is fixed or wired directly into the wall.
• Equipment that would require dismantling to be tested.
• Light fittings suspended from the ceiling or similar electrical products that are unlikely to get anyone electrocuted upon touching.
• LAN cabling or mains outlets.

How much does testing cost?

Test and tag specialists typically charge an hourly rate or by the item. You can check online to get a feel for how much is a reasonable fee. Alternatively, you can control your costs by buying your own portable appliance tester (PAT)  and having a staff member trained to do the testing.

Only a ‘competent’ person can carry out in-service inspection and testing of electrical appliances. In order to become competent in test and tag work, a person must be able to prove competency through training, knowledge or a combination of both. The best way to do this would be to attend a test and tag competency course.

If you have a lot of equipment to be tested every so often, having a staff member take a test and tag training course is a small investment that will save you a lot of money later on. Furthermore, you will not only ensure the safety of your employees but you’ll also avoid the risk of non-compliance.