The importance of regular safety checks and testing of plugs and corded portable electrical appliances.

Often called testing and tagging or test and tag. The Australian Standard and official name is AS/NZS3760-2010 – In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment, this standard is also a guide on the process and the frequency of testing.

So test and tagging is more than just tagging a piece of equipment, the process involves a detailed test process, verification and then sign off. The process needs to be completed by a competent person, which is a person that has completed education and assessment to be deemed competent.

At Bizmatrix, we conduct standalone courses for test and tag. The test and tag subject is a prerequisite for all our restricted electrical students as a beginning subject to form the basics in electrical and electrical safety testing.

The course focuses on the correct use of a PAT Tester, or also known as a Portable Appliance Tester, which is a test instrument that can test and log the results for single phase or three phase corded electrical appliances, portable RCD units, portable residual current devices, Electrical Power Outlet Devices (EPOD) and power leads/extension power cords.

Each test may involve (dependant on the appliance)

1. Log the appliance details/date test and testing person
2. Visual test
3. Earth continuity (Class 1 Appliances)
4. Insulation resistance checks and test
5. Class 1 and class 2 appliances
6. Earth leakage tests for class 1 and class 2
7. RCD trip test – Trip time and trip current for 10mA 30mA

Depending on the PAT tester, the unit can log the results and with an external printer, print the tag for the appliance.

The PAT tester was created in recent years. Previously as an electrician, we used an insulation resistance and earth continuity tester/meter, which was known as a Megger. This was good to test not only appliances, but also fixed circuits and fixed wired appliances. However for the non licensed person and for testing of portable appliances, the modern PAT tester is the way to go, with all the features to allow you to be certain of achieving a sound and safe result.

There are many great PAT testers on the market and when you attend our test and tag courses at Bizmatrix, we have three brands that we use through the training. The specific brand we are reviewing in this Blog is the Australian Made TRISAN PAT Tester.

Hard to believe, the unit is manufactured in Adelaide, South Australia. I am excited to showcase the TRISAN unit, as the creator has over 30 years of in field experience, incremental improvement and customer satisfaction and has designed the unit with simplicity/versatility in mind and ease of use, while addressing the compliance side with AS/NZS3760 mandatory checks and verifications.

There are several models available – the main two are:

S8 Non Data Logging TRISAN PAT Tester
Price $980 + GST

Well priced allrounder

Key Features:
•  The unit is battery and mains powered. Insulation resistance testing can be performed on both, and leakage testing on mains.
•  RCD Testing 10mA, 30mA
•  This is the only tester on the market to have independent insulation resistance (I.R) and leakage current testing circuitry including sockets outlets with LED indication. This ensures maximum operator safety from the internal isolated 500VDC supply for I.R. testing and for leakage •  current testing the socket earth is directly connected to the GPO protective earth..
•  Thus complies with the mandatory technical requirements of AS/NZS3760, AS/AZS60335, and AS/NZS610101

TRISAN S8 – DL  Data Logging PAT Tester 
Price $1380 + GST 

If you are serious about wanting to track and log all your test and tagging, as well as tracking each item the TRISAN S8DL data logger will allow you to do all the required tests as required with one meter and the additional add attachments:

Key Features:
•  The unit is battery and mains powered. Insulation resistance testing can be performed on both, and leakage testing on mains.
•  This is the only tester on the market to have independent insulation resistance (I.R) and leakage current testing circuitry including sockets outlets with LED indication. This ensures maximum operator safety from the internal isolated 500VDC supply for I.R. testing and for leakage current testing the socket earth is directly connected to the GPO protective earth..
•  Thus complies with the mandatory technical requirements of AS/NZS3760, AS/AZS60335, and AS/NZS610101.

As per the TRISAN S8 non data logging features plus:
•  QWERTY keypad- USB interface
•  Data Logging and Optional printing Tags with separate printer
•  3 Phase Option 10, 20, 32, 50 Amps
•  RCD Testing 10mA, 30mA
•  Mains 110/265VAC: Mains powered for both IR and Leakage current testing
•  Battery (6 – 9VDC): Battery powered for IR and 3 Phase leakage current testing

Additions 

Class I -Class II- Finger probe
Price $95 + GST 

Finger Probe Specifications:
•  A device that is used to wipe and probe the surfaces of an electrical apparatus or appliance to determine that it complies with IP standard AS 60529.
•  By connecting the earth test lead to a finger probe, hazardous leakage currents can also be detected and measured on the surfaces of Class I & II appliances.

3 Phase Test Lead Set
Price $1150 + GST 

This unit can be added to either the TRISANS8 or S8DL which enables the operator to also test and tag a range of 3 phase appliances and leads 

Sato PW208NX Battery Operated label printer
Price $995.00 + GST

Portable lithium-ion battery operated, clip on belt, WiFi and or bluetooth great match with the TRISAN S8DL

For more information go to Bizmatrix Test and Tag course
or to purchase a TRISAN PAT Tester email us directly at info@bizmatrixstage.wpengine.com or call our team at Bizenergy Pty Ltd on 1300 588 749 or 0418-884901