Australian owned and operated. Servicing Melbourne and all of regional Victoria.
Test and tag questions, answered
These are the questions we get asked most, on the phone and on site. If yours isn't here, give Brandon a call. You'll get a straight answer.
Topics
The Basics
Test and tag is the routine inspection and electrical testing of portable electrical equipment, done to the Australian Standard AS/NZS 3760. Each item gets a visual check for damage, then electrical tests such as earth continuity, insulation resistance, leakage current and polarity. Items that pass get a tag showing when they were tested and when they're due next. Items that fail are tagged out of service.
Basically anything with a flexible cord and a plug that connects to a power point or generator. That includes computers, monitors, IEC cables, extension leads, power boards, kettles, fridges, microwaves, heaters, power tools, battery chargers and three phase leads. Hard-wired equipment isn't covered by AS/NZS 3760.
Not straight away. Under AS/NZS 3760, brand new equipment doesn't need an electrical test before it's first used, but it should be visually checked and fitted with a "new to service" tag showing the date it went into use. After that, it joins your normal testing schedule. We're happy to tag new items for you while we're on site.
All sorts. Offices, factories, schools and childcare centers, workshops, warehouses, food production sites, cafes, labs, retail shops, hotels, emergency services and community groups. Single site or multiple locations, small or large.
Compliance and the law
Victoria doesn't have one law that says every workplace must test and tag. However, under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004, employers must provide a workplace that's safe and without risks to health, so far as reasonably practicable, and that includes the electrical equipment people use.
WorkSafe Victoria points to AS/NZS 3760 as the recognized way to manage the risk from portable electrical equipment. If there's an incident, regular test and tag records are one of the clearest ways to show you've met your duty of care.
AS/NZS 3760 is the Australian and New Zealand Standard for the in-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment and RCDs. It sets out what needs to be inspected and tested, how the tests are done, the pass limits, what has to go on the tag and in the records, and recommended testing intervals for different environments. All our work is done to the current version of the standard.
It depends on the environment. As a guide from AS/NZS 3760:
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Factories and workshops: every 6 months
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Hire equipment: every 3 months
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Equipment that's flexed or open to abuse: every 12 months
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Hotel and residential-type areas: every 2 years
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Server racks and audio-visual equipment: up to every 5 years
Construction sites fall under a separate standard and are usually tested every 3 months.
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Many insurers expect electrical equipment to be maintained in line with Australian Standards, and some policies specifically ask for test and tag records. If there's ever a claim involving an electrical fire or injury, a current report showing the item was tested can make a big difference. It's worth checking your own policy wording.
Testing has to be done by a competent person with the right training and calibrated test equipment. All our technicians are licensed and use properly calibrated portable appliance testers. A basic multimeter isn't enough to test to AS/NZS 3760, because it can't perform all the required tests.
On the day
Most items take a couple of minutes each, including the visual inspection, testing and tagging. A typical office with around 100 items usually takes a few hours. Bigger sites can be split across several visits if that suits you better.
Very little. Each item only needs to be unplugged for a minute or two. We work around your team and check with staff before unplugging computers so nobody loses their work. Critical equipment like servers can be scheduled for a quiet time, and we can often work before opening or after hours. Just ask.
Not much. It helps to:
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Let staff know we're coming so they can save their work
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Make sure we can get into all the rooms that have equipment
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Gather up loose items like spare leads, chargers and tools
If you've had testing done before, a copy of your previous report is handy but not essential.
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Our tags show the asset ID, the tester's licence number, the test date and the retest date, along with a reminder to check the tag is current before using the item.
You'll receive a full test report showing every item tested, its location and its results, plus a list of any failed items and a certificate of compliance.
RCDs and exit lights
An RCD (residual current device), or safety switch, cuts the power in a fraction of a second if it detects electricity leaking to earth, for example through a person. RCDs are mechanical and can stick or slow down over time, so the only way to know one will work when needed is to test it.
A push button test uses the RCD's own test button to check that it trips. A trip time test uses an RCD tester to create a measured fault current and records how many milliseconds the RCD takes to disconnect. The trip time test is the one that tells you the RCD is actually fast enough. We do both.
Under AS/NZS 3760, fixed RCDs in most workplaces should be push button tested every 6 months. Trip time testing is every 12 months in factories and workshops, and every 2 years in lower-risk places like offices. Portable RCDs used in factories should be push button tested daily, or before each use.
Every six months under AS/NZS 2293.2. The six-monthly test includes a full discharge test, where each fitting runs on battery for its rated duration, usually 90 minutes. The results are recorded in a logbook kept on site.
Yes. We record every fitting by location along with its result, update your logbook, and list any failed fittings so they can be fixed
Failed items
It's tagged out of service straight away and set aside so nobody keeps using it. We let your site contact know what failed and why, and it's listed in the Failed Items section of your report with its location and the reason.
Often, yes. Damaged plugs, cords damaged near the end, loose cord grips and faulty IEC cords can usually be repaired on the spot. We'll tell you the cost first and only go ahead with your OK. Once repaired, the item is retested and tagged.
Cut or crushed cords, cracked or burnt plugs, cords pulled out of their cord grip, failed earth connections, water damage and DIY repairs.
Pricing and booking
We charge per tag: $3.50 per tag for up to 50 items, $2.50 per tag for 51 to 350 items, and $2.00 per tag for 351 or more. The report, certificate and retest reminders are included. Use the estimator on our pricing page to work out a rough cost.
Yes. We keep track of your retest dates and get in touch well before you're due to book a time that suits.
Call on 0431 463 369, email brandon@victestandtag.com, or fill out the quote form. Let us know roughly how many items you have, where you're located and which services you need.