AS/NZS 3760:2022 - Safety, Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment

What Is AS/NZS 3760?

AS/NZS 3760 is a Standards Australia regulation for the safe testing (and tagging) of electrical equipment. This is applicable to devices in residential, commercial, and even industrial settings.

Organisations following this Standard should test devices at regular intervals. The correct rate depends on a number of factors. Some appliances only need testing once every five years, for example. Others may even require monthly inspections.

As of the Standard’s 2022 update, the following items do not need testing:

• Hard-wired electrical equipment.
• Items at a height of 2.5 meters or above.
• Equipment that requires dismantling.
• Sample or demonstration appliances.
• Medical equipment.
• Fixed appliances not in a hostile environment.

This Standard exists to promote safety across a range of industries. It ensures only qualified, competent persons carry out inspections. Testers must have a working knowledge of the Standard. On top of this, they must be able to safely work with electricity.

Key Updates in AS/NZS 3760:2022

AS/NZS 3760:2022 is the latest version of this electrical testing Standard. The update was partly to increase readability and change the full Standard’s structure. However, it also improves the overall testing process. Here are the main changes:

• RCD testing: The 2022 document now goes into more detail about residual current device testing. It even adds RCDs to the Standard’s title.
• Competency: This version changes the definition of a competent person. It now asks testers to stay up to date with the Standard’s changes.
• Arc welders: The new version offers significantly more information on how to test arc welders. It now fully outlines how to inspect these devices.
• Measurements: The 2022 Standard asks test-and-tag providers to report deeper measurements. For example, an appliance’s leakage current.

AS/NZS 3760’s in-service safety inspection rules fit the appropriate guidance. An electrical tester can only guarantee safe services if they abide by the Standard’s long-term changes.

Any organisation still following the 2010 Standard must switch to the 2022 edition. Otherwise, they might not schedule their tests as often as necessary.

Test and Tag Intervals in AS/NZS 3760

Different appliances require different testing schedules. The setting is a major part of deciding this. Under AS/NZS 3760, test and tag intervals are much clearer. The Standard makes the following recommendations:

• Every three months: Any appliances that the company leases or hires.
• Every six months: Equipment in factories and warehouses. Equipment that assists with commercial cleaning.
• Once a year: Appliances open to abuse/flexing or in a hostile environment. This includes portable office equipment.
• Once every two years: Appliances and equipment in residential settings, such as hotels or boarding houses.
• Once every five years: Static equipment that is not open to abuse/flexing, and is not in a hostile environment.

Residual current devices have different testing schedules. For example, RCDs in an office environment usually only need push-button tests every 3 or 6 months.

Generally speaking, an appliance’s expected level of wear and tear affects how often it undergoes testing.

In-Service Safety Inspections and Testing Requirements

AS/NZS 3760’s testing and inspection requirements vary from one device to the next, but there are some commonalities. Here are the main steps for testing electrical equipment under this Standard:

1. Conduct a thorough visual inspection. This includes checking for frayed cords, broken plug pins, and cracked casings.
2. Run the electrical tests. The tester will check the device’s earth continuity, insulation resistance, polarity, and current leakage.
3. Tag the equipment. The tester then labels the device with the date, their own name, and next scheduled test date.
4. Document the tests. This is a recent addition to the process. A tester must log the specific results of each individual test.

If an appliance fails the AS/NZS 3760 in-service safety inspection, the tester will not tag it. The equipment’s owner/hirer must take it out of service. They will fix or replace the device, then retest.

Any competent person with electrical experience can test and tag a device. That said, many organisations hire specific testing professionals for added certainty. The frequency again depends on the setting and its overall “hostility”.

RCD Testing Under AS/NZS 3760

Residual current devices instantly switch off a power supply in response to a fault. This prevents people from receiving possibly-fatal electrical shocks. It also stops the electricity from damaging equipment or causing fires.

These devices can be life-saving. This means AS/NZS 3760’s RCD testing is vital, and often requires quicker re-testing. The two RCD inspection types are:

• Push-button tests: These involve a user simply pressing the device’s “Test” button. The RCD simulates a fault, then trips automatically.
• Functional tests: These use specific test devices that “inject” a fault. The RCD should trip. Only electricians will perform these tests.

Portable RCDs often require push-button tests more than fixed RCDs. In a factory, for example, the former needs testing every day/before each use. Fixed factory RCDs only require these checks every six months.

Why Compliance with AS/NZS 3760 Matters for Businesses

It is essential that your organisation follows AS/NZS 3760’s testing and inspection requirements. The Standard isn’t a legal requirement, but many companies across Australia and New Zealand recognise its credibility.

If you do not implement this Standard, it could harm your reputation. It also leaves your appliances vulnerable to developing faults. Without testing your equipment at the right intervals, they could fail when you need them most.

High safety Standards can massively help your business. It can even unlock lower insurance premiums by showing you are addressing risks. In addition, inspections will make sure equipment is safe to use.

Conclusion: The Role of AS/NZS 3760 in Electrical Safety

AS/NZS 3760 is a Standard that any Australian/New Zealand firm must consider adopting. It is the most effective way of ensuring your appliances are safe.

This Standard does more than just protect your property from faults. It also makes sure your staff avoid on-the-job accidents and injuries.

AS/NZS 3760 provides a clear framework for safe inspections, especially its 2022 edition. These checks are the only way to reliably use electrical appliances in any industry.