Standards Australia / Standards New Zealand · Published 2022 · Active
AS/NZS 3760:2022 is an important Standard for businesses that need to keep electrical equipment safe for day-to-day use. It sets out the process for inspecting, testing and tagging equipment so faults can be found early and risks can be reduced.
As part of the broader framework covered by Australian electrical Standards, it plays a key role in helping businesses maintain safe working environments and equipment.
📖 What Is AS/NZS 3760:2022?
✦ KEY TAKEAWAYS
- ✓ Joint AU/NZ Standard for in-service electrical safety testing.
- ✓ Covers inspection, testing, tagging and record-keeping (test and tag).
- ✓ Used in commercial, industrial and construction environments.
AS/NZS 3760:2022 is the Australian and New Zealand Standard for the in-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment. This process is commonly known as test and tag.
The Standard outlines how workplace electrical equipment should be visually inspected, tested, tagged and recorded to help reduce the risk of faults and hazards such as electrical shocks or fires. It also provides guidance on how often equipment should be tested, depending on the level of risk. It’s used in a wide range of workplaces, including commercial, industrial and construction environments.
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📖 Which Equipment Requires Testing Under AS/NZS 3760?
✦ KEY TAKEAWAYS
- ✓ Applies to portable, plug-in and handheld electrical equipment.
- ✓ Includes power tools, leads, appliances and RCDs.
- ✓ Fixed installations are covered by AS/NZS 3017 instead.
AS/NZS 3760 applies to electrical equipment used in the workplace that connects through a flexible plug and cord. In simple terms, this means portable or handheld devices plugged into a power outlet.
This includes common items such as:
- ✓ Power tools such as drills, grinders and saws
- ✓ Extension leads, power boards and flexible supply cords
- ✓ Appliances such as kettles, fans, printers and vacuum cleaners
- ✓ Portable or plug-in equipment used in workshops, factories and offices
- ✓ Residual current devices (RCDs)
Because these items are regularly moved, handled, plugged in and unplugged, they’re more likely to suffer wear and tear. That’s why regular inspection and testing are so important.
Fixed electrical installations are not covered by this Standard. They’re generally covered under AS/NZS 3017, which deals with the verification of electrical installations.
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📖 Testing Intervals by Environment
✦ KEY TAKEAWAYS
- ✓ Testing intervals depend on environment and risk level.
- ✓ Construction sites: 3 months — offices: 12 months.
- ✓ RCDs have separate, more frequent testing requirements.
Under AS/NZS 3760:2022, testing intervals are different in every workplace. How often equipment needs to be inspected depends on the environment, type of equipment, and how likely it is to be damaged through normal use.
The right testing interval depends on the level of risk, including how often the equipment is moved, handled, or exposed to harsh conditions. In general, equipment used in harsher environments needs to be tested more often than equipment used in low-risk settings.
The table below shows typical maximum testing intervals:
Residual current devices (RCDs) have their own testing requirements. In lower-risk settings, push-button checks are often done every 3 or 6 months, while operating or trip-time tests are usually done every 12 months. In higher-risk environments, the intervals can be shorter.
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📖 Visual Inspection Requirements
✦ KEY TAKEAWAYS
- ✓ Visual inspection always comes before electrical testing.
- ✓ Check plug, cord, switches, casing and exposed conductors.
- ✓ Damaged equipment must be removed from service immediately.
Visual inspection is an important part of AS/NZS 3760:2022. Visual inspection comes first, prior to electrical testing. Before equipment is used, it needs to be checked for signs of damage. A formal visual inspection should be carried out and recorded at the intervals set out in the Standard.
Items to check during a visual inspection include:
- ✓ The plug for cracks, bent pins or other damage
- ✓ The cord for cuts or fraying
- ✓ Switches for cracks or loose components
- ✓ The equipment casing for cracks, dents, wear or signs of overheating
- ✓ Exposed conductors or any other obvious electrical hazards
If damage is found, the equipment should be removed from service until it’s been repaired and retested, or replaced.
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📖 Electrical Test Requirements
✦ KEY TAKEAWAYS
- ✓ Four common tests: earth continuity, insulation, leakage and RCD trip-time.
- ✓ Detects faults invisible during visual inspection.
- ✓ Confirms equipment is safe to use in the workplace.
AS/NZS 3760:2022 doesn’t rely on visual inspection alone. In many cases, electrical equipment also needs to go through specific tests to confirm it’s safe to use. These tests help find faults that aren’t visible from the outside.
1 Earth Continuity Test
Checks the resistance of the protective earth conductor to make sure it can provide a safe path to earth if a fault occurs.
2 Insulation Resistance Test
Checks how effective the insulation is between active conductors and earth by measuring resistance under test conditions.
3 Leakage Current Test
Measures the amount of current flowing to earth while the equipment is operating. It’s often used as an alternative to insulation resistance testing for certain equipment.
4 RCD Trip-Time Test
Checks that a residual current device trips within the required time at its rated operating current.
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📖 Tagging and Record-Keeping Requirements
✦ KEY TAKEAWAYS
- ✓ Tags must show test date and next due date.
- ✓ Failed equipment must be tagged Out Of Service immediately.
- ✓ Records must be kept to track compliance and prove safety.
Once equipment has been inspected and tested, it needs to be tagged to show that it’s safe to use. The tag should include key details such as the date it was tested, as well as when it’s due to be tested again. This makes it easier to see the item’s testing status at a glance and helps businesses stay on top of future inspection schedules.
If equipment fails visual inspection or electrical testing, it should be tagged as Out Of Service and removed from use straight away. It shouldn’t be returned to service until it has been repaired and retested, or replaced.
AS/NZS 3760 also requires records of inspections and tests to be kept. These records help track compliance, support workplace safety procedures and provide proof that equipment has been checked to make sure it is safe.
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📖 Buy the Full AS/NZS 3760 Standard
✦ KEY TAKEAWAYS
- ✓ Available at Intertek Inform in PDF and hardcopy formats.
- ✓ Essential for safety officers, electricians and test & tag services.
- ✓ Full guidance on inspection, testing, tagging and record-keeping.
If you’re responsible for workplace safety, test and tag services or managing electrical equipment on site, AS/NZS 3760 is the Standard you need on hand. It gives you the full, up-to-date requirements for inspection, testing, tagging and record keeping, so you can stay compliant with industry regulations.
Having access to the full Standard makes it easier to understand your obligations and keep testing procedures consistent across the workplace. Intertek Inform offers the AS/NZS 3760:2022 Standard in both PDF and hardcopy formats, so you can choose the option that works best for you and your team.
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Access the full AS/NZS 3760:2022 Get the official AS/NZS 3760:2022 Standard. Buy AS/NZS 3760:2022 PDF → |
📖 Related Articles and Standards
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Common questions about AS/NZS 3760:2022
AS/NZS 3760:2022 is the Australian and New Zealand Standard for the in-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment in workplaces. It sets out how workplace equipment should be inspected, tested, tagged and recorded to help reduce the risk of electrical faults, shocks and fires.
How often equipment should be tested and tagged depends on the type of equipment and the environment it's used in. In higher-risk settings such as construction sites, testing may be required every 3 months. In lower-risk environments with static equipment not exposed to damage, testing intervals can extend to every 5 years
Test and tag must be carried out by a competent person. This doesn’t always have to be a licensed electrician, but the person must have the training, knowledge, skills and tools needed to inspect and test electrical equipment safely.
Test and tag isn’t mandatory in every workplace in Australia, but it is commonly used in higher-risk environments where electrical equipment is more likely to be damaged or exposed to heavy use. In these settings, AS/NZS 3760 is widely used as the recognised method for meeting workplace safety obligations.
Records should be kept for all inspections and tests. These records usually include the equipment identification, the tests carried out, the results, the date and the identity of the person who performed the test. Keeping clear records helps show that equipment has been checked properly and supports ongoing compliance.