Australian Standard: AS/NZS 3760 – 2003 In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment

The Australian Standard AS/NZS 3760 – 2003 In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment specifies the procedures for the safety inspection and testing of low voltage single phase and poly phase electrical equipment connected to electrical supply by a flexible cord and/or connecting device, which is new equipment placed into service for the first time, is already in service, has been serviced or repaired, is returning to service from a second hand sale or is available for hire.

The standard does not apply to equipment at a height of 2.5 m or greater above the floor or platform, where there is no reasonable chance of a person touching the equipment and, at the same time, coming into contact with earth or any conducting medium which may be electrically earthed or trough which a circuit may be completed to earth.

The standard also does not apply to equipment which may need to be dismantled to perform the inspection, nor to equipment connected to wiring which forms part of the electrical installation and falls under Australain Standard AS/NZS 3000 the wiring rules.

The standard also does not apply to equipment whose nature is that of medical devices as defined in Australian Standard AS/NZS 3551.

The AS/NZS 3760 – 2003 states that the equipment needs to be subjected to regular inspection and testing to detect obvious damage and wear or other conditions which might render it unsafe.

New Equipment

In Australia the supplier of the new equipment is deemed responsible for the intial electrical safety. New equipment needs not be inspected or tested, however needs to be tagged accordingly.

In-service equipment need to be inspected and tested at regular intervals as per Table 4 in the standard.

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Fixed or stationary equipment

Fixed or stationary equipment connected by means of flexible cord or fixed cable which is not flexed in normal use, testing for such equipment is not required by the standard. However, if the flexible cord or fixed cable are flexed (eg. equipment is moved regularly or for re-stoking, maintenance or cleanng) for this equipment the in-service testing is considered to be required.

Hire Equipment

The hirer has the responisibility to ensure that hired equipment complies with the requirements of the standard at the commencement of the hire. During the hire period, the responsibility for testing, inspection and tagging passes to the hiree.

It is to be remembered that the standard provides only the minimum requirements for the in-service testing of portable appliances and tools.

The standard is not a law and cannot be enforced.

So, how the requirement for Testing and Tagging?

In Victoria, in the Construction Industry, we have:

Industry Standard for Electrical Installation on Construction Sites – Victoria

This Industry Standard applies for fixed wiring, fixed and/or portable electrical apparatus, tools, appliances and associated flexible cords used in connection with all forms of construction work. This includes the construction, renovation and demolition of all types of building and structures. It also applies to any excavation work undertaken in relation to the construction or demolition of building structures.

All plant including portable electrical equipment and flexible electrical cords, shall be visually inspected for wear and mechanical damage, and tested in accordance with AS/NZS 3760 for earth continuity, and insulation resistance. Inspection and testing should be undertaken by a licensed electrician or electrician supervised (ES or L) prior to its first use, and every 3 calendar months thereafter, while being used on the site.

Tested portable electricalequipment and flexible electrical cords shall be tagged, and all test results shall be recorded in a book kept for the purpose, and records kept on site or made available for audit. Where the book is not kept on the site, arrangements should be such that the book can be produced for an inspector or elected Health and Safety Representative within 24 hours of request.

The details recorded shall include the following:

• Date of inspection
• Plant number of the item inspected
• License number of the inspecting electrican
• Any repairs required as a result of the inspection.

All portable RCDs shall be tested before each use by the operation of the test button. All RCDs should be tested for tripping current and time by a licensed electrician each calendar month while being used on the site. Refer to Appendix C. Tested RCDs shall be tagged, and all the test results should be recorded and kept on site or be available for audit.

This standard was produced to assist Employers, Registered electrical contractors, and licensed electricians to meet their obligations under the electricity safety legislation and the occupational health and safety legislation.