Test and Tagging

Inspecting and testing electrical equipment will assist in determining whether it is electrically safe and may be one of the approaches taken to manage the health and safety risks. A tag is one way to record inspection and testing of electrical equipment.

Not all electrical items need to be inspected and tested.

The nature and frequency of inspection and testing will vary depending on the nature of the workplace and the risks associated with the electrical equipment.

Regular visual inspection can identify obvious damage, wear or other conditions that might make electrical equipment unsafe. Many electrical defects are detectable by visual inspection.

Regular testing can also detect electrical faults and deterioration that cannot be detected by visual inspection.

Inspection and testing of electrical equipment may involve, in part:

  • looking for obvious damage, defects or modifications to electrical equipment, including accessories, connectors, plugs or cord extension sockets
  • looking for discolouration that may indicate exposure to excessive heat, chemicals or moisture
  • checking the integrity of protective earth and insulation resistance
  • checking that flexible cords are effectively anchored to equipment, plugs, connectors and cord extension sockets
  • looking for damage to flexible cords
  • checking that operating controls are in good working order i.e. they are secure, aligned and appropriately identified
  • checking that covers, guards, etc. are secured and working in the manner intended by the manufacturer or supplier
  • checking that ventilation inlets and exhausts are unobstructed
  • checking that the current rating of the plug matches the current rating of the associated electrical equipment.

    • Pre-purchase Electrical inspections

    We offer pre-purchase electrical inspections of homes, shops, offices and factories.

    If you are buying a second hand car for $20,000.00 you must get a road worthy certificate, so if you are spending $800,000 on a property save yourself some money and organize a pre-purchase electrical inspection.

    Electrical equipment should be tested:

    In most circumstances, the following frequencies would be advised, as per Australian Standard AS/NZS 3760:2010:

    3 months - Appliances and portable RCDs used on construction, mining and demolition sites.

    6 months - Appliances used in factories, warehouses, production and commercial cleaning.

    Fixed RCDs (push button test)

    12 months - Appliances used in an environment where the equipment/supply cord is flexed in use or open to abuse. e.g. Kitchens (non commercial), bathrooms, meeting rooms, common spaces.

    Fixed RCDs (operating time test)

    24 months - Appliances and RCDs (operating time test) used in residential type areas. e.g. hotels, boarding houses, halls, accommodation houses and the like.

    60 months - Appliances used in an environment where the equipment/supply cord is not flexed in use or open to abuse. e.g. fixed office equipment, communication racks, servers and security systems.

    Electrical Warriors are qualified electricians who are fully trained and qualified. Others advertising this service have only completed a basic two day course for testing and tagging whereas Electrical Warriors can also check and repair electrical equipment if faults are found.