Commercial testing and tagging services ensure that appliances are safe and ready to use in a commercial environment. New Zealand work safety standards outline requirements for companies to make sure their electrical appliances are safe. One solution is to test and tag your appliances.
Every time you get an appliance tested, It needs to be marked with one of the appropriate test and tag colours. Primarily there are just four colours used when testing and tagging in New Zealand. Red, green, blue, yellow are the main test and tag colours, however orange, white, black, burgundy and grey can also be used.
It is actually incredibly simple. The colour of the tag refers to when the appliance was tested. When testing and tagging the techniques should attach a tag to the appliance signifying when the device was tested.
The colour of the tag helps the next technician know when it was last tested and if it is due to be tested again. Different colours indicate which month range an appliance was last tested.
These coloured labels are primarily used in construction, mining and demolition industries. Under AS/NZS 3012 standards, appliances in these industries are required to be tested quarterly. So, each coloured tag refers to which quarter of the year the appliance was tested.
Other industries may not need to have their appliances tested as frequently. Some things such as home or office appliances may only need to be tested once or twice a year. Some devices may only need a test once every two or so years. This is when these test and tag colours may be used.
Hopefully this guide has cleared up what the different test and tag colours mean. If you need to resupply on test and tag colours visit our online store to find high quality tags.
Legally to Test and Tag under the AS/NZS3760 standard one does not need to be an electrician. However, one must be deemed competent in order to test and tag. The best way for you to build up your confidence and competence is to take one of our test and tag PAT training courses.Â
Legally you are not required to do any training before you go out and start testing. So, why then would one go out of their way to train themselves? Sure you could save yourself a couple bucks, but let’s look at some of the reasons why test and tag PAT training is necessary in 2022.
Testing and tagging can actually be rather dangerous. Typically certified electricians are ones testing and tagging. However this isn’t always the case. Since regular people can buy themselves a portable appliance tester and start tagging, they may not know the significance or danger presented by electricity. Even then, because the standard does not require any kind of training to legally tag a blasé approach may lead to mistakes. After all, the AS/NZS3760 provides a process to reduce the risk of electrical shock to users of electrical equipment. Not following the standard may put yourself in danger.
Companies who test and tag their appliances tend to have strict health and safety policies. These policies are designed to limit their liability. Furthermore, health and safety legislation in New Zealand requires portable devices to be free from defects. Professional training can be one way of meeting these requirements.
Although the standard does not technically restrict who can test and tag, it does outlines what is required of a technician. These regulatory requirements include record keeping, tag information and who can do what. This list is by no means exhaustive.
Negligence of these requirements could see you personally liable in the event of an accident caused by improper test and tag procedures. Knowing your stuff is the best way to ensure the service you provide is quality and safe.
Whether you are doing your own DIY testing or are planning to work as a test and tag specialist it is vital that you get the necessary training. Failure to follow the regulations could land you a fine of upwards of $10,000!
Book a test today or contact us online today.
We know it has been a hard year for a lot of companies and to help get you back on your feet in 2022, Metrotest have come up with a great package.
With the number of electric vehicles on New Zealand roads set to increase dramatically over the next few years, now is a great time to get on board with EV testing. The MPI-540+EVSE-01 are the perfect combination for testing of Electric vehicle testing stations.
For more advanced testing, upgrade to the MPI-540PV and carry out testing of photovoltaic installations, the MPI-540PV is also able to be used with the EVSE-01 and when ordered together prior to January 31, 2022, you will receive a free Thermal Imaging camera.
The MPI-540-PV instrument can measure photovoltaic installations in accordance with the EN 62446 standard:
MPI-540-PV can record 50/60 Hz power quality parameters in accordance to S class of EN 61000-4-30:
MPI-540-PVÂ can be used for all measurements for commissioning of electrical installations in accordance with applicable regulations:
Another essential piece of kit for all test and tag technicians is a thermal imaging camera. The ability to measure temperature accurately can be extremely useful for basic diagnostics and safety. We already offer the Sonel KT-120M thermal imaging camera. However this camera is designed specifically for usage in areas when many body temperature readings on people is needed. For industrial use something more powerful is require.
Coming soon to the Metrotest online store the Sonel KT-128 Thermal Imager. This thermal imaging camera has some serious advantages over the KT-120M.
KT-128 is used when the temperature of objects is important and may affect the operation of the equipment. Particularly in power engineering, construction, industry and HVAC. Its features include:
Keep an eye out for our next announcement for when we stock the Sonel KT-128.
An EV Charging station, like any electrical appliance, needs testing to ensure they are working correctly and safely. As electric cars are rather expensive, any issue that may arise from a faulty charging station could result in costly damage to the fragile electronics and batteries that power your EV.
In order to properly carry out EV charging station testing one needs to be able to simulate the typical load conditions experienced by the charger. This tricks the charger into believing it is charging an EV while you carry out your testing.
Types of EV Charging station testers
Here at Metrotest we have a wide selection of testers fit for a variety of jobs. With EV charging station testing currently booming we thought we should outline some of our favourites.
The MPI-540 multifunction electrical installations meter is a go to choice for testing home appliances. But did you know it is the perfect tool for testing EV charging stations? This device allows for a truly straight forward testing experience, and can as mentioned be used for a variety of other tests. This makes it a must pick for anyone looking for a universal work horse.
The EVSE-01 is an adapter designed for use with your multifunction electrical installations meter. Allowing you to easily interface with any AC electric vehicle charging stations with a type 2 connector. The EVSE-01 can also perform tests for both 1-phase and 3-phase stations.Â
With 1 in 5 cars sold in New Zealand, September, 2021 were electric more people are installing chargers in their home than ever. Also it is recommended to test these chargers fairly regularly, as much as once every 12 months. If you need to expand your testing arsenal to account for EV charging stations check out our selection online so you don’t miss out on the action.
A portable RCD is an essential part of any testers kit for any test & tag job. But what are they and why are they so vital for testing and tagging electrical devices. More importantly, how do portable RCD differ from a regular RCD?
A Residual Current Device is used to prevent electrical shocks or electrical fires. By measuring the current in a system it can detect whether the electricity is flowing through an unintended path and automatically shut off the circuit. For example if electricity enters a person the residual Current Device will cut the power before it can give you too nasty a shock. Potentially saving a life or preventing an electrical fire.
Typically you can find RCDs throughout your home in places such as in the fuse box. They may also be built into socket outlets and some extension cords.
A portable RCD is an especially useful piece of kit for any electrician or tester. By having a PRCD the user can guarantee their safety when working with an appliance that is of safety concern. It can plug into any standard socket and automatically cut the power when it detects any issues.
In fact, portable RCDs are so important they are often built into portable appliance testers.Â
Whether you are a professional or planning on doing any DIY involving appliances, an RCD is a must have. Metrotest has a selection of reliable RCDs to choose from. Visit our store or get in contact with us to find the right portable RCD for you.
