The information on this page hopefully answers some of your questions.
This page is regularly updated, so revisit soon!
This page is regularly updated, so revisit soon!
Testing and Tagging FAQ
How often do electrical appliances need to be tested
The AS/NZS 3670:2022 provides guidance based on the harshness of the environment. The harsher the environment such as a construction site (3 monthly), the more frequent the testing compared to an office environment (12 monthly), or a server room (5 yearly).
The level of harshness of an environment is guided by by the standards, but still has an element of subjectivity.
The level of harshness of an environment is guided by by the standards, but still has an element of subjectivity.
Do new electrical products need to be tested?
The AS/NZS 3670:2022 standard stipulates new electrical equipment only requires a thorough visual inspection and the attachment of a "New to Service" tag. The logic behind this lies in the high regulatory standards required for a manufacturer to sell electrical appliances in Australia.
The testing and tagging process involves a visual inspection followed by an electrical test, the latter taking less time than the visual inspection in many cases. So, it makes sense for a little extra time and no additional cost, perform a full visual inspection and electrical test.
Occasionally, new products will fail the electrical test due to a manufacturing error, something that even a thorough visual inspection will not identify.
The testing and tagging process involves a visual inspection followed by an electrical test, the latter taking less time than the visual inspection in many cases. So, it makes sense for a little extra time and no additional cost, perform a full visual inspection and electrical test.
Occasionally, new products will fail the electrical test due to a manufacturing error, something that even a thorough visual inspection will not identify.
Should a damaged plug top be replaced?
A damaged plug top on any lead or appliance is an automatic FAIL of the testing process.
Before deciding to replace the plug top on a lead or appliance, the costs need to be considered.
If the cost of plug top replacement is greater than the value of a replacing the lead or appliance, the better option would be replacement which includes a warranty.
However, if the cost of the plug top replacement is significantly less than the replacement value, or the appliance is irreplaceable, then plug top replacement makes for an excellent choice. Plug top replacement also has environmental and fiscal benefits.
Before deciding to replace the plug top on a lead or appliance, the costs need to be considered.
If the cost of plug top replacement is greater than the value of a replacing the lead or appliance, the better option would be replacement which includes a warranty.
However, if the cost of the plug top replacement is significantly less than the replacement value, or the appliance is irreplaceable, then plug top replacement makes for an excellent choice. Plug top replacement also has environmental and fiscal benefits.
do the electrical appliances need to be taken offsite for testing?
No. Test and tagging is down onsite.
I have recently insatlled a plug-in automatic door opener...does it need to be tested and tagged?
Any plug-in electrical appliance 2.5 metres or less above floor level needs to be electrically tested and tagged.
Electrical appliances greater than 2.5 metres above floor level are considered to be out of reach, so do not require to be tested and tagged.
Electrical appliances greater than 2.5 metres above floor level are considered to be out of reach, so do not require to be tested and tagged.
Finance and Cost FAQ
Does testing and tagging reduce my business insurance premium?
Firstly, the insurance industry is an interesting beast.
That said, by testing and tagging your electrical appliances which is backed up with a detailed data report, you are not only demonstrating an interest in minimising workplace risks, you have the data to back up your claim.
If your insurer fails to recognise your efforts and provide discounted premiums...shop around.
Insurers should both, recognise and reward, proactive approaches to workplace safety.
That said, by testing and tagging your electrical appliances which is backed up with a detailed data report, you are not only demonstrating an interest in minimising workplace risks, you have the data to back up your claim.
If your insurer fails to recognise your efforts and provide discounted premiums...shop around.
Insurers should both, recognise and reward, proactive approaches to workplace safety.
How does grounded test and tag charge?
Grounded Test and Tag charge an administration fee, plus a cost per item test fee. Regardless of whether the test result is a PASS or FAIL, the cost remains the same for the item.
The more items to be tested, the cheaper the cost per item fee.
If an item fails, but is replaced by Grounded Test and Tag as per the Works Agreement, the total charged is 50% of the initial fail test + the new item cost as per the Grounded Test and Tag pricing policy.
If an item fails, and requires a plug top replacement by Grounded Test and Tag as per the Works Agreement, the total charged is 50% of the initial fail test + the new item cost and fitting as per the Grounded Test and Tag pricing policy.
For specific pricing information email admin@groundedtt.com.au
The more items to be tested, the cheaper the cost per item fee.
If an item fails, but is replaced by Grounded Test and Tag as per the Works Agreement, the total charged is 50% of the initial fail test + the new item cost as per the Grounded Test and Tag pricing policy.
If an item fails, and requires a plug top replacement by Grounded Test and Tag as per the Works Agreement, the total charged is 50% of the initial fail test + the new item cost and fitting as per the Grounded Test and Tag pricing policy.
For specific pricing information email admin@groundedtt.com.au
An item fails testing...do i pay for it?
Yes, you do.
For an item to be failed, it must fail either the visual inspection or electrical testing, which takes the same amount of time for an item which passes.
For an item to be failed, it must fail either the visual inspection or electrical testing, which takes the same amount of time for an item which passes.
I had my electrical appliances tested and tagged 3 months ago, and have since purchased a new set of...
Scenario: You own a hair salon and have all electrical appliances tested and tagged in January. In April, one of your suppliers offers a deal which results in you purchasing new hair dryers for each of your work stations.
If you are an established client of Grounded Test and Tag, you are entitled to one additional testing per testing period (ie January to January) at the piece rate as determined in the original testing, ie January, without the added cost of the administrative fee. At the next test period, ie January, an administrative fee plus cost per item will be charged with all items tested and tagged. Please note the number new items is limited, contact admin@groundedtt.com.au for more details.
If you are an established client of Grounded Test and Tag, you are entitled to one additional testing per testing period (ie January to January) at the piece rate as determined in the original testing, ie January, without the added cost of the administrative fee. At the next test period, ie January, an administrative fee plus cost per item will be charged with all items tested and tagged. Please note the number new items is limited, contact admin@groundedtt.com.au for more details.
My equipment requires testing and tagging every three months...do i need to pay the full administrative fee each time?
If you are an established client of Grounded Test and Tag, you will pay the full administrative fee annually, with a substantially discounted administrative fee each three-monthly test period. Contact us at admin@groundedtt.com.au for further details.
Those science nerdy questions
How do microwave ovens heat food?
To answer this question, it is important to understand a few ideas relating to molecules, electric fields, and the first law of thermodynamics.
Molecules
In the world of chemistry, many molecules are neither structurally or electrically symmetrical. Water, H2O is one such molecule...it is made up of 2 hydrogen atoms and 1 oxygen atom. When exposed to an electric field, the molecule will align itself to the field.
Electric fields and microwave ovens
Most microwave ovens produce microwave radiation at around 2.4GHz, or 2,400,000,000 cycles per second. This 2,4000,000,000 cycles per second is how many times per second the electric field is changing.
The oscillating water molecule
As already mentioned, the water molecule is not electrically symmetrical, meaning it will attempt to align with the electric field...but in a microwave oven the electric field is changing 2,400,000,000 times each second, which means the water molecule is rocking from one position to another 2,400,000,000 times per second.
The link between work and thermal energy (first law of thermodynamics)
Count Rumford (Sir Benjamin Thompson) discovered in the late 1700's a very simple, but profound relationship which would be eventually be re-worded as the First Law of Thermodynamics. The simple relationship was the work energy put into an object (ie boring cannon barrels) is transformed into heat (thermal) energy.
The water molecule
The water molecule in attempting to align itself with the change in direction of electric field...the electric field is doing work (ie energy transfer) n the water molecule...the additional kinetic energy gained is transformed into thermal energy...hence the object heats up.
So long as the product you are heating contains water molecules, it will heat up...items with minimal or no water molecules will heat up minimally.
Molecules
In the world of chemistry, many molecules are neither structurally or electrically symmetrical. Water, H2O is one such molecule...it is made up of 2 hydrogen atoms and 1 oxygen atom. When exposed to an electric field, the molecule will align itself to the field.
Electric fields and microwave ovens
Most microwave ovens produce microwave radiation at around 2.4GHz, or 2,400,000,000 cycles per second. This 2,4000,000,000 cycles per second is how many times per second the electric field is changing.
The oscillating water molecule
As already mentioned, the water molecule is not electrically symmetrical, meaning it will attempt to align with the electric field...but in a microwave oven the electric field is changing 2,400,000,000 times each second, which means the water molecule is rocking from one position to another 2,400,000,000 times per second.
The link between work and thermal energy (first law of thermodynamics)
Count Rumford (Sir Benjamin Thompson) discovered in the late 1700's a very simple, but profound relationship which would be eventually be re-worded as the First Law of Thermodynamics. The simple relationship was the work energy put into an object (ie boring cannon barrels) is transformed into heat (thermal) energy.
The water molecule
The water molecule in attempting to align itself with the change in direction of electric field...the electric field is doing work (ie energy transfer) n the water molecule...the additional kinetic energy gained is transformed into thermal energy...hence the object heats up.
So long as the product you are heating contains water molecules, it will heat up...items with minimal or no water molecules will heat up minimally.
Can I use my multimeter to test insulation?
Short answer is no.
There are several issues here, so let's tackle them one at a time.
Calibration
The AS/NZS 3760 requires the Portable Appliance Tester to be calibrated annually to ensure they are giving the correct results. Multimeters do not require this.
Portable Appliance Testers use a higher test voltage
When testing insulation, what you're actually doing is creating a potential difference between two conductors, and measuring the flow of current between them. The Portable Appliance Tester applies a potential difference of either 250VDC or 500VDC, which is up to 100 times greater than most multimeters. This test voltage is critical when identifying issues with insulation, such as cracking or thinning, which would simply not be noticed by the multimeter.
Resolution, accuracy and precision.
Portable Appliance Testers are instruments of high precision (repeatability), accuracy (give the true reading) and reasonably high resolution. Multimeters are not. The resolution, accuracy and precision performance required by Portable Appliance Testers is the reason they need to be checked annually.
There are several issues here, so let's tackle them one at a time.
Calibration
The AS/NZS 3760 requires the Portable Appliance Tester to be calibrated annually to ensure they are giving the correct results. Multimeters do not require this.
Portable Appliance Testers use a higher test voltage
When testing insulation, what you're actually doing is creating a potential difference between two conductors, and measuring the flow of current between them. The Portable Appliance Tester applies a potential difference of either 250VDC or 500VDC, which is up to 100 times greater than most multimeters. This test voltage is critical when identifying issues with insulation, such as cracking or thinning, which would simply not be noticed by the multimeter.
Resolution, accuracy and precision.
Portable Appliance Testers are instruments of high precision (repeatability), accuracy (give the true reading) and reasonably high resolution. Multimeters are not. The resolution, accuracy and precision performance required by Portable Appliance Testers is the reason they need to be checked annually.