Portable appliance testing (PAT test) requires visual inspection, various electrical tests with a portable appliance tester / PAT test equip, and tagging.
Appliances used in all New Zealand businesses are required by OSH and electrical regulations to be tested according to the AS/NZS 3760 standard.
This requires a visual inspection, various electrical tests with a portable appliance tester or PAT test equipment (as pictured), and tagging with a durable tag stating the testing company’s name and the date tested.
Any failed appliance must be labeled and withdrawn from service until it is repaired or disposed of at the discretion of the owner.
Our appliance testing procedure
Client Liaison: Our technician will make him or herself known to the site contact person upon arrival at the testing premises. The technician will liaise with this person in all matters regarding the schedule of testing on the premises, timing of testing, etc and advise this person of any appliances that fail the testing.
Testing Procedure: Appliances to be tested as per AS/NZS 3760 include: any appliance or equipment connected by a plug and lead to the power supply where the lead may be subject to flexing or damage. This testing includes portable appliances, hand-held appliances, IT equipment, commercial kitchen appliances, extension leads and stationary equipment or appliances.
Inspection:
a) The flex and plug will be inspected for any damage, ensuring it is free from cuts, fraying, signs of heating, or stress of the inner cores.
b) The appliance will be inspected to ensure that it is in safe order, including ensuring that it switches on and off properly, the casing or cabinet has no damage that could result in access to live parts, ventilation areas are clear and all other parts are in safe condition.
Testing Class I – Earthed Equipment: Earth continuity test with our portable appliance tester (PAT tester) at 100 mA to 25 Amps depending on the appliance type. Insulation or leakage test at 240 volts on all appliances with internal switching that is only activated when the appliance is powered at operating voltage. For equipment with no internal switching we undertake a 500 Volt insulation test.
Testing Class II – Double Insulated Equipment: Insulation or leakage test at 240 volts on all appliances with internal switching that is only activated when the appliance is powered at operating voltage. For equipment with no internal switching we undertake a 500 Volt insulation test. Class II equipment relies solely on insulation for safety, i.e. has no protective earth connection, so the results of the leakage test are very important.
Testing 3-phase Leads and Machines: Inspection, earth and other tests as appropriate for individual 3-phase appliances are carried out.
Testing Cord Extension Sets and Power Boards: Earth continuity test at up to 10 Amps, insulation test at 500 volts or 250 volts, and polarity check at 40 volts.
More Information on Power Boards (multi boxes): The risk of fire is high when using a power board with no appropriate overload, particularly when used with high energy appliances such as heaters. All power boards must have an overload under AS/NZS 3012 2.6.10. AS/NZS 3105:2007 is the standard for all power boards and 4.5.3 requires an overload. For these reasons we fail any power board that does not have an overload.
Testing RCD’s: Earth continuity test, insulation resistance test, polarity check at 40 volts, and test for trip time of under 100 milliseconds (using a separate RCD test).
Testing Computer Equipment: Tests on computer and IT equipment are specially designed to eliminate the possibility of damage to equipment or loss of data. No operational tests are carried out on computer CPUs.
Tagging: A test tag will be attached to each appliance that passes. The tag will record the test date and other information. We use small unobtrusive medium-duty tags for offices, schools, rest homes, laboratories and medium wear environments. We use heavy-duty tags for building sites, workshops and high wear environments.
Appliances that fail our testing will be labelled with a DANGER DO NOT USE tag, the plug wrapped in red insulation tape, any visible damage highlighted with red insulation tape, the appliance placed in a separate ‘failed’ area, detailed in the certified report, and identified to the appropriate staff member.
Our testing remains consistent throughout the country. We use the same systems and latest test equipment to ensure such consistency.
Documentation: A certified report will be provided on the overall condition of your appliances. A separate list of appliances that failed testing will be supplied showing details of the reason for each failure. A report of the testing will be supplied with the number of appliances tested and the number of failed items.
Display Certificates: For the staff room or reception to advise that the appliances on the premises have been tested for electrical safety. The certificates include safety advice for your staff.
Reminder Service: You don’t have to worry about keeping up to date with your testing. We will remind you when your appliances are next due for testing.
Appliance Testing Specialists: We specialise in portable appliance testing and utilises the latest test equipment to keep your compliance costs to a minimum. Our equipment is updated regularly to keep up with technology.
Our qualified staff carry out all aspects of testing and use the Seaward range of testers to meet NZ Standard AS/NZS 3760. These make us more efficient than other testing companies and therefore able to offer the best service and price. Portable appliance testing carried out by Comply Guy will take less time, causing you and your staff the minimum amount of disruption. Out-of-hours testing is also an option we offer our clients free of charge to further minimise disruption. We are 100% customer focused – that’s why our clients choose Comply Guy to carry out their portable appliance testing.
You can confidently leave the management of the test & tag service in our hands.