FAQ

By having your equipment inspected and tested with appropriate test equipment by fully trained and experienced operators to AS/NZS 3760. A one-week course is not enough to train operators for the many variables in the correct testing of appliances. We train our testing technicians and supervise there testing until they are competent to inspect and test on their own.

What is AS/NZS 3760?

This is the Standard that specifies safety inspection testing and tagging protocols for compliance with The Electricity Act 1992, The NZ Health & Safety in Employment Act 1992 and OSH regulations. The appliances that require safety testing are anything that plugs into a normal power point including computers, normal extension leads and power packs.

What is AS/NZS 3551?

This is the Standard that specifies safety inspection testing and tagging protocols for compliance with The Electricity Act 1992, The NZ Health & Safety in Employment Act 1992 and OSH regulations. for medical and dental electrical appliances. This standard is more stringent than AS/NZS 3760 and we use Registered Electrical Inspectors with appropriate training to do this inspection, testing and verification dossier reporting.

Who should comply?

In short every enterprise e.g. schools, government departments, factories, workshops, hotels, motels, restaurants, engineering & construction companies, offices, health care facilities, trades people etc.

Portable Appliance Testing - is it law?

Under OSH and the Electrical regulations every employer must provide an electrically safe workplace. This is a statutory requirement. Also many insurance companies require the insured to comply with all current regulations. The responsibility on the employer to ensure work equipment is safe is also covered by OSH regulations stating, "Every employer shall ensure that work equipment is so constructed or adapted as to be suitable for the purpose for which it is used or provided”. This includes all work equipment (fixed, portable or transportable) connected to a source of electrical energy.” Both OSH and Electrical regulations site AS/NZS 3760 as a means of compliance. This is the law.

What types of appliances need testing?

Basically any piece of equipment, which is powered by electrical energy and that, can be plugged into a wall socket.

What is a Portable Appliance Tester “PAT”?

This is an electrical test instrument designed to test appliances. Note: The basic test with a Megger insulation tester will not perform adequate tests to meet electrical safety regulations and AS/NZS 3760. A lot of appliances have switches and buttons that will only switch on the appliance when the power is on. Our pat testers power up the appliance and allow the appliance to be turned on. It then performs a test to detect any leakage current. This tests the insulation of the appliance to ensure that it meets the safety standard. Megger testing only tests up to the switch of this type of appliance and may damage IT and other sensitive equipment due to the high voltage 500 volts to 1000 volts that it applies to the appliance. Our PAT's incorporate Megger testing for use on leads and other equipment were appropriate.

How often does portable appliance testing need to be carried out?

Frequency of testing depends on the type of equipment and the environment in which it is used. The frequencies is as stated by Standard AS/NZS 3760 and ranges up to 5 years.

How often does the Construction Industry need to test?

This sector is covered by Standard AS/NZS 3012 and states that testing is mandatory every 3 months. If equipment has not been tested and tagged in the appropriate manner you may be denied entry to or ordered off a site.

Could I, or one of my employees, carry out Portable Appliance Testing in-house?

Yes, however, you would need to ensure that any person who carries this testing out is competent to do so. Standard AS/NZS 3760 states that: "The operation, maintenance and testing of electrical systems and equipment should be carried out only by those persons who are competent for the particular class of work. Those carrying out inspection and testing must be competent to undertake the inspection and testing of appliances and have due regard to their own safety and that of others.

The tester must have an understanding of the modes of electrical, mechanical or thermal damage to electrical equipment and appliances and their flexes, which may be encountered in any environment.

Training must include the identification of equipment and appliance types to determine the test procedures and frequency of inspection and testing. Persons must be familiar with the test instruments used and in particular their limitations and restrictions so as to achieve repeatable results without damaging the equipment or appliance.

The importance must be stressed of recording inspection and test results, labeling and reporting to managers for action on defects, trends or changes in their assessment of risk. A detailed test register makes up part of the requirements to meet AS/NZS 3760.

See also notes on cost and responsibility.

Wouldn't it be cheaper if I have one of my employees carry out Portable Appliance Testing?

Although you may believe that purchasing your own Portable Appliance Test instrument and having in-house staff carry out the portable appliance testing may be more cost effective, there are several factors to bear in mind. You would need to ensure that the requirement of competence is met, which will undoubtedly involve expenditure in training and supervision by a fully experienced technician through the first weeks of testing. You need to purchase the equipment and the software, and gain the expertise in its use. We find that many companies who have tried to carry out testing in-house also take more time to do the testing as the staff generally only do this as part of their job, and do not have the experience to minimise the disruption factor in shutting down equipment. There may also be a tendency to "pass" appliances that may present a potential hazard, as it would mean taking the appliance out of commission.

You or the “responsible person” in your organisation will take personal responsibility that the person that you deem to be the “competent person” that carries out the testing, is in fact competent in every aspect of the inspection and testing. If an accident happens with an appliance that was not tested properly, then the “responsible person” will be liable along with the person that did the inspection and testing.

The person deemed by you to be competent to inspect & test your appliances for electrical safety, (the competent person) will also take personal responsibility for the correctness of the testing and will also be liable if there is an accident with an appliance that was not fully and properly tested.

All of our test technicians are trained to meet the current recommendations. This is our core business and we firmly believe that we can carry out the Portable Appliance Testing at your premises in the most cost-effective manner, whilst our experience and unique systems minimise the disruption to you and your staff.

What range of experience does AT 3760 have?

Over the last 10 years we carried out thousands of tests on appliances and complete electrical installations of all types throughout New Zealand. Our experience covers virtually the entire range of business sectors including: Residential and Nursing Care Homes, Schools, Ski Fields, Engineering and Construction Industries, Local Government Bodies, Office based businesses, Manufacturing Companies and Retail Shops.

If my organization is part of the ACC Partnership Program what electrical safety standards do we need to meet?

AS/NZS 3760 is the minimum standard ACC expects employers to meet as part of being in their partnership program.

Should I use my existing electrical contractor to test?

Using AT 3760 to test your equipment should not upset your regular electrician, as repair work, normally referred to them by you, would continue as before. They also may not have the time, test equipment or experience to offer the most cost-effective service to you.

As we do not repair appliances we have no conflict of interest in failing tests in order to get the repair job. We work for you to make sure that your appliances comply with AS/NZS 3760.

How much will it cost?

Our pricing is based on a cost per appliance, your premises layout and number of tests. We will provide you with a quote on request. The per appliance rate gives our clients a finite amount on the final cost i.e. if you have 500 appliances then the cost is no more or less than that quoted per appliance. The general pricing is as follows: Set-up fee to cover travel, client liaison, initial client report template and seven-year record maintenance. free consultation and quote

The price per test is dependent on: the number of tests, your site layout, payment options and services required.

We will advise you how we can reduce your costs by tailoring your requirements. Long-term contracts can be arranged where we will reduce your costs for guaranteed testing in the future. - Preferred supplier contracts. We offer the option of paying for a number of tests in advance at reduced cost. free consultation and quote

Are there any additional costs?

The only additional costs are for any additional work that you request.

How can I reduce costs?

We have long-term contracts and payment options to reduce your costs.

Remove any redundant equipment or let us know if you have equipment not to be tested.

If you would like a free quote or to order any of our services, please contact us

How is the test information supplied?

You will receive a Test Certificate for your staff room wall or file, and a full report on the tested appliances detailing failed appliances and re-test dates for each appliance. Test results can be provided in hard copy or emailed to you as a PDF file. If you choose to have assets tagged, we will also provide the full report as an Excel file so it can be incorporated into your asset register.

This electronic data can be provided in addition to, hard copies or PDF files of reports.

Why use Appliance Testing 3760 Ltd?

We offer you, unrivalled nationwide service in quality and ability that will minimise disruption to your day-to-day operations whilst ensuring that you, and your staff are working in the safest environment possible.

We understand that your time is precious and we make it easy for you form start to Finish .

Our guarantee: To give you the best service available and if you are not satisfied, we'll put it right free.

You can confidently leave the management of the Test & Tag Service and changes to legislation in our hands.

Summary

To meet your obligations under the above regulations and Standards you have to be able to legally prove that you have taken all practical steps. Inspecting and testing equipment in compliance with AS/NZS3760 is the simplest cost-effective option to ensure safety and legal protection without risking prosecution.

All workplaces must maintain safety and this includes electrical safety - many dangers can be seen, electricity cannot - this makes it potentially more dangerous.

We are here to eliminate the job of inspection testing and tagging of your appliances off your job list permanently.

If you have questions and cannot find the answers here, then please use our contact us form or Phone 0800 66 99 99

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