Draft of Test & Tag standard available for comment on ALIA web site
Thu, 7 Jan 2010, 08:39 amanothertech27 posts in thread
Draft of Test & Tag standard available for comment on ALIA web site
Thu, 7 Jan 2010, 08:39 amFrom Andy's post on the ALIA web sit:
Draft of Test & Tag standard available for comment
Posted on Monday, November 23rd, 2009
The draft of DR 3760, In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment is available to comment on. The closing date for comment on this draft Standard is 12 February 2010.
This draft is a revision of AS/NZS 3760:2003, and specifies procedures for the safety inspection and testing of low voltage single phase and polyphase electrical equipment, connected to the electrical supply by a flexible cord and/or connecting device.
This draft also includes fixed RCDs and portable inverters.
NOTE — Additional requirements for portable generators are covered by AS/NZS 3012.
[Hint: This draft will look VERY much like the final version which will cost you abut $100 to buy, so it's well worth downloading - even if you don't intend to make a comment.]
You can download a copy of this draft from the ALIA web site. http://www.alia.com.au/standards/Draft_3760.doc
Testy
Sun, 10 Jan 2010, 04:01 pmShe's partly right - If her cables have been stored away safely and not used since last time, there is probably no practical reason why they should need testing again.
However, so are you - the law requires equipment to be in current test status if it is being used...full stop.
If there are a large amount of cables, lights etc simply sitting in storage for some unforeseen future time, it would seem a waste of money to test them annually for no immediate purpose. A solution might be to gather them together in a clearly marked "out of test" storage bin...and make certain that they DON'T GET USED.
Items that have been tested and tagged can be in free circulation; and if ever a project comes up which requires use of the surplus equipment, it could then be tested before putting it to use.
The risk (legal risk, and physical safety risk) is if any of the untested equipment ever gets put into circulation.
Even though it may be in pristine condition, without a current annual tag there is no way of knowing...so it simply has to be done.