Far North QLD
Portable Appliance Testing (PAT)
What it involves:
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Visual Inspection: Checking for frayed cables, damaged plugs (bent pins, cracks), and general wear on the appliance's casing.
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Electrical Testing: Using a PAT tester to perform tests such as:
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Earth Continuity/Bond Test: Checks the integrity of the protective earth wire.
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Insulation Resistance Test: Verifies the insulation between live parts and the casing.
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Leakage Current Test: Measures current leaking to the casing.
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Polarity Test: Ensures correct wiring in the plug.
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Tagging: Appliances that pass receive a label with the test date and next test due; failed items are removed from service.
What is a portable appliance?
A portable appliance is any electrical device that isn't a permanent part of a building's wiring but can be moved and plugged into a wall socket or generator for power, ranging from small items like kettles and laptops to larger ones like microwaves and photocopiers, and even includes extension cords and charging equipment.
Why is it important to test and inspect electrical equipment?
It promotes workplace safety by minimising the risk of electric shock and fires from faulty equipment. This process involves a visual inspection and electrical testing to identify hazards like damaged cords or worn-out insulation, and it also helps businesses maintain compliance with regulations and avoid potential fines. Regularly testing and tagging provides peace of mind that the equipment being used is safe for everyone in the workplace.
3 Phase Appliance or Lead Inspections
Is the mandatory safety checking and tagging of industrial-grade electrical equipment (like welders, large motors, forklifts) and their heavy-duty power cords (leads) used in workplaces, requiring specialized testers and adaptors to safely test for earth continuity, insulation resistance, and current leakage, ensuring they comply with safety standards like AS/NZS 3760. These inspections go beyond standard single-phase checks due to higher voltages (415V) and complex electronics, using unique 4 or 5-pin plugs, and are critical for preventing shock hazards in factories a
Microwave Leakage Test
A microwave leakage test checks if a microwave oven emits unsafe levels of microwave radiation, typically through door seals, vents, or casing damage, ensuring it stays below the < 5mW/cm²< /nav>> safety limit set by standards like AS/NZS 60335.2.25. It involves running the microwave with a water load and slowly scanning the perimeter with a special detector to find any leaks, crucial for workplace safety and compliance.
Australian Standards
AS/NZS 3760 and AS/NZS 3012
our team is here to help you meet your legal responsibilities! The Australian Standard states that duty holders are required to obtain regular electrical equipment inspection and testing. This applies to all equipment which is bought new, repaired, serviced or relocated before it's put to use. We are industry certified and comply with these standards.
Types of equipment we test and how it works
We test a wide variety of electrical equipment including handheld power tools, office equipment, kitchen appliances and to make it simple, really anything that can be plugged in.
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In order for the appliance to be deemed safe to use, it undergoes multiple tests. The first consisting of our highly qualified technicians to visually inspect the item. If it passes the visual inspection our technician will then use specialised, calibrated equipment to run the remainder of the tests. After all tests are complete the item will be given a tag with either a pass or a fail. The tag will also include the date that the test was completed and the due date for which it needs to be tested again.