Testing and tagging.com.au

Testing and tagging is a process that literally means to test, and then tag all your electrical equipment to ensure your workplace is Electrical safe.  The process should be done regularly and one needs to check all appliances in the workplace - it is easy to forget some of those appliances which are not used regularly.

Types of testing:

Earth continuity test

Testing is performed using an ohmmeter or PAT tester;

One uses the ohmmeter to produce a reading;

One uses a PAT tester under the following conditions;

12V maximum, test current range 100mA to 200mA - this is also commonly known as "earth continuity test" or "screen test"

12V maximum, test current 10A - this is also commonly known as "routine test" and/or

12V maximum, 1.5 times rated current of appliance or 25A, which ever is greater - this is commonly known as "type test" or "bond test".

The choice of which test to use is at ones discretion as there is merit in each test for given situations, however the "routine test" is not normally used by competent persons as it simply replicates existing conditions for the (240V/10A) appliance.  

Insulation resistance test

A leakage current test performed at rated voltage with values not exceeding 5mA for Class I appliances or 1mA for Class II appliances.

Polarity check

Polarity testing is a simple test that can be carried out using a polarity tester to determine whether the active and neutral of the plug end are correctly connected to the corresponding terminals at the socket end.