FAQ

All 240v or 415v volt plug-in electrical equipment items designed for connection by a flexible supply cord needs to be inspected, tested and tagged in all workplaces and organisations.

According to AS/NZS 3760:2010 there are the following exceptions:-

• Fixed equipment (except RCDs) or “hard wired” equipment
• Items installed 2.5 metres or greater from the ground
• Equipment which needs to be dismantled to inspect and test
• Demonstration stock in a retail or warehouse outlet

Table 4 of AS/NZS 3760:2010 outlines various retest timeframes of various locations/environments in which the equipment resides in. Another factor which is taken into consideration is the type of equipment.

Testing of items varies from one monthly, three monthly, six monthly, yearly, two-yearly or five-yearly.

If the workplace has a workshop or manufacturing area, the most frequent testing is 6 monthly. In most other workplaces and environments the requirement is yearly for some items and 5 yearly for lower risk which residing in a lower risk environment.

It’s important your service provider is proficient and precise about the retest time frames. Getting it wrong can mean you are failing to comply or testing too often. Assured Asset Testing offer a reminder service to assist you with this. We give you a friendly reminder 1-2 weeks prior to each retest period to assist you in remaining compliant with AS/NZS 3760:2010.

Yes. RCDs need regular testing and tagging in accordance with AS/NZS 3760:2010 to ensure it functions properly in a fault situation, by cutting the power off within the required time. If the RCD was to fail in the event of an electric shock, the result could be fatal. The National Work Health and Safety Regulations (effective January 2012) states that all workplaces must have RCD protection on all power circuits for hostile environments, and it must be regularly tested in accordance with AS/NZS 3760:2010.

Assured Asset Testing will inspect and test your portable and fixed RCDs to ensure proper protection in an emergency situation and to satisfy legislative requirements.

According to AS/NZS 3760:2010, you are required to retain the history of tests carried out in your workplace.

This includes a test tag attached to each item which indicates the date, item ID, tester’s name and a test status (pass/fail).

Also required is a corresponding asset register with test status and actions taken for all failed items.

Assured Asset Testing supplies the Asset Register/Report as part of our service. (no additional cost)

Upon completion of the testing, Assured Asset Testing will email you your report.

The turn-around time to receive your Asset register/report is normally between approx 1-3 days from completion. However if you require your Asset register/report urgently, let our office know and we will make it a priority to have the report to you ASAP.

Portable electrical appliances located in all areas of your workplace are required to be tested and tagged. Some of these areas may include:-

• Offices
• Manufacturing plants
• Aged Care facilities
• Factories
• Laboratories

Assured Asset Testing technicians utilise the latest up-to-date technology by Seaward for the specific task of Testing and Tagging, which has the guarantee of not damaging sensitive and sophisticated electronic equipment.

The test tags are electronically generated, so that means no messy or eligible hand written tags.

All test equipment is able to be carried in a neatly packed shoulder bag, so our Technicians can move around your workplace with minimal fuss or disruption to your daily activities.

Yes. AS/NZS 3760:2010 – 2.1.(a) indicates a tolerance of two weeks past the item’s retest due date.

This tolerance doesn’t apply to construction sites.

If you are a business or employer, you must make sure that electrical equipment is regularly inspected and tested by a competent person.

A competent person is either;

• Someone who has acquired – through training, qualification or experience – the knowledge and skills to carry out inspections and testing of electrical equipment. or
• A licensed electrician

A “competent person” who has sufficient knowledge and training on a continuing basis to undertake current inspection and test procedures.

Please note: QLD Electrical Safety legislation specifies that a company hold a Restricted Electrical Contractors License to carry out Testing and Tagging within QLD.

All AAT technicians are fully qualified and hold the appropriate licenses required to carry out electrical testing and tagging in all states and Territories throughout Australia.

Assured Asset Testing’s cost structure is on a per unit basis. Your cost is directly proportional to the amount of work we carry out for you. The amount and description of items is simply and easily cross checked with the report, so there are no hidden surprises when the invoice arrives. Our quoted price per tag rate includes all labour, test equipment, test tags, asset register and rescheduling/retest reminder.

For an individual test and tag price, please call Assured Asset Testing on 1300 760 541.

In 99% of circumstances, the answer is no. At a glance the idea seems like a good money saver, however the overwhelming majority of companies who carry out their own testing, discover the cost savings just aren’t what they were portrayed as being. Here is a basic outline of upfront costs and the hidden costs which you will never see advertised.

Costs that are generally considered;

• Testing Equipment and Printer
• Staff training
• Consumables
• Staff wages/labour costs (however consideration to an occasional tester being 2-5 times slower than an external service provider is often not considered)

Costs that are easily overlooked;

• Regular tester calibration
• Trained staff leaving/Training additional staff
• Productivity loss – what value your staff member brings in or adds to your company while in their usual role.
• Australian Standards and guidance materials

If your organisation is currently conducting your testing and tagging in-house, we encourage you calculate the real costs of doing it this way. Many of our clients had previously conducted their own testing and tagging program before realising it wasn’t saving them money.

Aside from the cost issues, there are some other factors to take into consideration.

For a more detailed outline of In-house/DIY testing and tagging, please click on the link and scroll down the page.

http://www.aatpl.com.au/why-choose-us

Yes. Our aim is to help you keep your business running smoothly and experience minimal disruption while our techs carry out their work.

To help with this AAT technicians can carry out on the spot repairs where an appliance lead, plug or extension lead socket is damaged.

Because some items are not worth repairing, our technicians check your preference before carrying out the repair.