electrical testing nsw

8/12/2019 Electrical Testing NSW

1/5

Page 1 of 5 |

Electrical Testing and Inspection NSW Requirements

Overview

In general terms, there are two principle requirements for NSW business owners and facility

managers to meet:

1) Electrical Safety in the workplace, which includes:

Electrical inspection and Testing of Appliances/Equipment

Electrical inspection and testing of Residual Current Devices (RCDs) as required

under Work Health and Safety regulations

2) Exit and Emergency lighting inspection and testing

These obligations apply to all persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) at a

workplace. The following sections examine each requirement in detail, to provide a better

understanding of the legislation, requirements and penalties for non-compliance.

1 Electrical Safety in the Workplace

1.1 Electrical Testing and Inspection of Appliances/Equipment

WorkCover Authority of NSW requires the following:

A person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) at a workplace must ensure that the/all

electrical equipment is regularly inspected and tested by a competent person if the electrical

equipment:

is supplied with electricity through an

electrical socket outlet (plug in

equipment) and

used in an environment in which itsnormal use exposes the equipment to

operating conditions that are likely to

result in damage to the equipment or a

reduction in its expected life span. This

includes conditions such as exposure

to moisture, heat, vibration, mechanical

damage, corrosive chemicals or dust.

The Work Health and Safety Regulations provide further guidance for PCBU at a workplace to

support the Authoritys position.


2/5

Page 2 of 5 |

The key points to note are:

All electrical equipment that is used in a workplace in an environment that is likely to

reduce the lifespan or damage the equipment must be tested every 3 months.(WH&S Regulation 2011 No 674 Clause 150)

The person conducting business accepts the responsibility for determining the equipment

to be tested and must ensure that electrical equipment is regularly inspected and tested

by a competent person.

(WH&S Regulation 2011 No 674 Clause 150)

Failure to comply will result in fines up to $3,600 for individuals and $18,000 for body

corporates.(WH&S Regulation 2011 No 674 Clause 150)

Kerfoot Electrics qualified electrical tradespeople will visit your workplace to make a full

assessment based on the appropriate legislation to ensure all electrical assets are catalogued,

inspected and tested in accordance with Australian Standard AS/NZS 3760 In service safety

inspection and testing of electrical equipment.

Contact our Customer Service team on (02) 9838 7744 to schedule an appointment or email

Kerfoot ElectricsCustomer Service Online.

1.2 Electrical inspection and testing of Residual Current Devices

Residual Current Devices (RCDs), commonly referred to as safety switches, are electrical safety

devices designed to immediately switch off the supply of electricity when electricity leaking to

earth is detected at harmful levels. RCDs offer high levels of personal protection from electric

shock.

WorkCover Authority of NSW advises:

From 1 January 2013, new requirements for residual

current devices (RCDs) will apply to workplaces where

plug in electrical equipment (electrical equipment

supplied with electricity through a socket outlet) is used in the

following operating environments:

electrical equipment is exposed to operating

conditions that are likely to result in damage to the

equipment (or a reduction in its expected life span)

including conditions that involve exposure to

moisture, heat, vibration, mechanical damage,

corrosive chemicals or dust

electrical equipment is moved between different locations in circumstances where damage

to the equipment or to a flexible electricity supply cord is reasonably likely
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


3/5

Page 3 of 5 |

electrical equipment is frequently moved during its normal use

electrical equipment forms part of, or is used with, an amusement device.

If electricity is supplied through a socket outlet that does not exceed 20 amps, then the RCD must

have a tripping current that does not exceed 30 milliamps. This does not apply if the supply of

electricity to the electrical equipment:

does not exceed 50 volts alternating current

is direct current

is provided through an isolating transformer that provides at least an equivalent level of

protection

is provided from a non earthed socket outlet supplied by an isolated winding portable

generator that provides at least an equivalent level of protection.

The Workplace Health and Safety Regulations provide further guidance for PCBU at a workplace

to support the Authoritys position. The key points to note are:

All electrical equipment that is used in a workplace in an environment that is likely to

reduce the lifespan or damage the equipment must be protected by Residual Current

Device.


The person conducting business accepts the responsibility for determining the equipment

to be protected and must ensure that Residual Current Device is regularly inspected andtested by a com petent person every 3 mon ths.


Failure to comply will result in fines up to $3,600 for individuals and $18,000 for body

corporates.


Kerfoot Electrics qualified electrical tradespeople will visit your workplace to make a full

assessment based on the appropriate legislation to ensure all Residual Current Devices are

inspected and tested in accordance with Australian Standard AS/NZS 3760 In service safety

inspection and testing of electrical equipment.


mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


4/5

Page 4 of 5 |

2 Exit and Emergency Light testing and maintenance

In the event of a serious incident in your workplace, your staff and customers will need to quicklyand safely exit a potentially dangerous environment. It is therefore imperative your emergency

and exit lighting systems are compliant and functioning correctly.

Kerfoot Electrics qualified electrical tradespeople will visit your

workplace to make a full assessment to ensure all Exit and

Emergency lighting systems are inspected and tested in

accordance withAustralian Standard AS/NZS 2293.2

We conduct a 6-monthly and 12-monthly testing regime in

accordance with AS 2293 which includes:

Discharge Test

Replacement of tubes and starters

Cleaning of diffusers

Battery replacement

Full condition report



3 Thermal Imagery

Although not currently a prescribed requirement under the

legislation, many organisations are now turning to thermal imagery

as a proactive approach to preventing expensive electrical

disruptions through switchgear and controls failures.

Our trained technicians use infrared thermography to identify 'hot

spots' in electrical equipment. These 'hot spots', illustrates highresistance areas which may indicate impending failure and possible

fire.

Insurance companies and business continuity planners are requiring

more of this non-invasive testing to maintain a proactive low risk

management philosophy for business.


mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


5/5

Page 5 of 5 |

Compliance Audit

Report and

Recommendations

Update EnterpriseManagement

System

4 Kerfoot Compliance Systems

Our Enterprise Management System (EMS) is specifically designed to meet the requirements

defined above.

Our EMS records the asset on

your site and schedules all

required testing to meet the

defined obligations for your

workplace.

Our three step approach is

designed to provide all necessary

compliance reporting and remedial

action to ensure the highest safetystandards are achieved for your

Staff and Customers.

Step 1. Compliance Auditensures all assets are tested strictly in accordance the

standards and legislation. Our EMS ensures all elements of the testing regime are

completed with outcomes notes in a structured reporting framework.

Step 2. Report and Recommendationsensure the compliance audit outcomes

documented and actioned to maintained the highest safety standards for yourworkplace. Our reports are held within our EMS and made available on line to

customers for third party and statutory compliance (Insurance and WH&S auditor

etc).

Step 3. Update Enterprise Management Systemmaintains the accuracy and currency of

information within our EMS. Our EMS is finally updated with any changes or

additional assets noted in the report and recommendations ready for the next

compliance audit.

electrical testing nsw

Documents