Testing Intervals
How often an electrical appliance needs to be tested varies according to the workplace and the type of environment within that particular workplace. In practice that means anywhere between every 3 months and every 5 years.
The interval table
This is the schedule we work to. Find the row that describes your workplace — if two look close, call us and we will confirm which applies.
| Type of environment or equipment | Equipment, cord sets, cord extension sets and EPODs | RCD push-button test — portable | RCD push-button test — fixed | RCD operating time — portable | RCD operating time — fixed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Factories, workshops, places of manufacture, assembly, maintenance or fabrication | 6 months | Daily, or before every use, whichever is longer | 6 months | 12 months | 12 months |
| Environment where the equipment or supply cord is subject to flexing in normal use, or is open to abuse, or is in a hostile environment | 12 months | 3 months | 6 months | 12 months | 12 months |
| Environment where the equipment or supply cord is not subject to flexing in normal use, is not open to abuse and is not in a hostile environment | 5 years | 3 months | 6 months | 2 years | 2 years |
| Residential type areas of hotels, residential institutions, motels, boarding houses, halls, hostels and accommodation houses | 2 years | 6 months | 6 months | 2 years | 2 years |
| Equipment used for commercial cleaning | 6 months | Daily, or before every use, whichever is longer | N/A | 6 months | N/A |
| Hire equipment — inspection | Prior to hire | Including push-button test by hirer prior to hire | — | N/A | N/A |
| Hire equipment — test and tag | 3 months | N/A | — | 3 months | 12 months |
| Construction work | 3 months | Daily, or before every use, whichever is longer | N/A | 3 months | N/A |
Transcribed from AS/NZS 3760. Where a workplace falls under more than one row, the shorter interval applies.
The short version
- Every 3 months — construction work sites, which are classified as a hostile work environment.
- Every 6 months — factories, workshops and places of manufacture, maintenance or fabrication, and equipment used for commercial cleaning.
- Every 12 months — where the equipment or its supply cord is subject to flexing, open to abuse, or in a hostile environment.
- Every 5 years — low-risk environments where the cord is not flexed, not open to abuse and not in a hostile environment. Most offices sit here.
RCDs are on a separate schedule
Residual current devices need both a push-button test and a measured operating-time test, at different intervals — see the last four columns above, and our RCD testing page.
Hire equipment
Hire equipment is inspected prior to every hire, including a push-button test by the hirer, and is tested and tagged every 3 months.
The standard we work to
Elite Test and Tag refers to AS/NZS 3760 for testing frequency. We test to the edition current at the time of your job.
Simple, flat-rate pricing
No hidden costs and no call-out surprises. We charge a flat $120 + GST for the first 10 items tested. Additional items are $5–$8 each + GST, depending on how many there are and the type of work environment.
You get a straightforward quote before any work starts.
Talk to us
Give Tim a call on 0432 073 605 to discuss your test and tag requirements, or to book a drop-in appointment.