Standard
Australian
Standard AS/NZS 3760:2010 specifies the necessary safety
inspection and maintenance standards for Australia.
It describes the safety inspection and testing of single
and 3-phase (polyphase) (240v - 415v) portable electrical
equipment, and, machinery connected to supply by a
flexible lead or cord which is currently in use, being
returned to service, being presented for re-sale or
hire. Depending on the use of the equipment, inspection
and testing intervals vary, from daily up to years
between tests.
Required Testing
As specified by the standard, the following tests will
be applied, dependant upon the type of equipment.
- A visual inspection
- Insulation resistance (IR)
- Earth conductor continuity
- Polarity and
- Earth leakage
Failure of any of these tests will deem the item unsatisfactory
for use and it shall be removed from service for repair
or disposal. Your test and tag representative will
consult with you to determine if minor repairs (plug
tops etc) are practicable.
Testing Frequency
The minimum retest frequency is set out in AS/NZS 3760:2010.
You may wish to retest more frequently to minimize
risk to your workers or the general public.
As a guide:-
Hire equipment- 3 months
Factories and workshops - 6 months
Offices etc - 12 months
Residential parts of hotels or institutions - 2 years
Environments where cord is not flexed - 5 years
There is some interpretation allowed in these categories.
Eg You may consider a hairdressing salon is like an
office but in fact it is more like a factory as cords
on hairdryers, for instance, are flexed frequently
and their risk of failure is much higher than in an
office.
New Equipment
Where new equipment is introduced into service, between
scheduled testing, the equipment supplier warrants
its safety and it need not be tested. However, it must
be tagged as "New Equipment" . |
HOME
HOME
