Guide for the Use, Inspection
and Testing of Low Voltage
Electrical Appliances, Cords &
Protective Devices
May 2005
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1
DISCLAIMER
This guide has been prepared by representatives of the electricity supply industry to provide
guidance on safety practices for use by the industry.
Although electricity supply industry representatives recommend the guide as setting out good
practice, it should not be relied on as a substitute for legislative requirements. The guide
should always be used in conjunction with the applicable legislative and OSH safety and
health requirements. If there is uncertainty as to which guidelines or legislative requirements
apply in any particular situation, specialist advice should be sought.
The Electricity Engineers’ Association of New Zealand (Inc) (EEA) and the electricity supply
industry representatives involved in formulating the guide accept no liability or responsibility
for any error in or omission from the guide, or any injury, loss, damage (including indirect or
consequential loss or damage) or any other claims whatsoever caused by or resulting from
any reliance on, or failure to rely on, the guide.
Copyright © 2005
Copyright is owned by the Electricity Engineers’ Association of New Zealand (Inc), PO Box
5324, Wellington.
All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any
means (graphic, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or
information retrieval systems) without the written permission of the copyright owner.
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CONTENTS
1.
PURPOSE ....................................................................................................................... 4
2.
DEFINITIONS.................................................................................................................. 4
3.
SCOPE ............................................................................................................................ 4
4.
LEGISLATIVE AND OTHER RELATED REQUIREMENTS ........................................... 4
5.
ELECTRICITY REGULATIONS 1997 (as amended)...................................................... 7
6.
INTERPRETATIONS....................................................................................................... 9
7.
USE OF ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT ........................................................................... 11
8.
INSPECTION AND TESTING REQUIREMENTS ......................................................... 11
APPENDIX 1: Frequency of Inspection & Testing of Equipment ............................................ 13
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1.
PURPOSE
This technical guide provides guidance on, and clarifies issues and requirements
relating to, the use of, inspection and testing of low voltage electrical appliances,
extension cords and electric portable outlet devices (EPOD)’s and protective devices,
used in the electricity supply industry.
2.
DEFINITIONS
The reference documents listed in Section 4 contain defined terms. The following
definitions apply throughout this guide.
2.1
Electric portable outlet device (EPOD) - A device, other than a cord extension
set, having a single plug for connection to a mains outlet socket, a sheathed
flexible cord and an assembly of one or more outlet sockets.
2.2
Fixed appliance - An appliance which is fastened to a support or otherwise
secured in a specific location, and connected by a flexible cord with a plug.
2.3
Handheld appliance - A portable appliance intended to be held in the hand
during normal use, the motor, if any, forming an integral part of the appliance.
2.4
Isolating transformer - A transformer that has its input and output windings
electrically separated to limit hazards that may occur due to accidental
simultaneous contact between earth and:
(a)
(b)
3.
live parts; or
metal parts that may become live in the event of an insulation fault.
2.5
Portable appliance - Either an appliance which is intended to be moved while in
operation or an appliance which can easily be moved from one place to another
while connected to the supply.
2.6
Protective device - Includes isolating transformers and RCDs.
2.7
Residual current device (RCD) - A device for isolating supply to protected
circuits, socket-outlets, or electrical appliances in the event of a current flow to
earth that exceeds a predetermined level.
2.8
Stationary appliance - Either a fixed appliance or an appliance which cannot
easily be moved from one place to another.
SCOPE
This guide covers the use, inspection and testing of:
low voltage electrical appliances;
extension cords and EPODs; and
protective devices used with low voltage electrical appliances,
as used in the electricity supply industry.
4.
LEGISLATIVE AND OTHER RELATED REQUIREMENTS
The requirements for the inspection, testing and use of low voltage electrical
appliances, extension cords, EPODs, protective devices, etc, used within the electricity
supply industry, is governed by a number of regulations, codes of practice, standards
and industry “best practice” guidelines.
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4.1
Regulations
(a)
Electricity Regulations (1997)
For details of relevant Regulations, please refer to Section 5.
4.2
Occupational Safety & Health (OSH) Code of Practice and Guidelines
(a)
OSH Approved Code of Practice for Demolition 1994
This Approved Code of Practice covers the requirements for managing
demolition work, including the equipment used. It states in Appendix A
under the heading ‘Electric Power Tools’ that ‘electrocution, burns, and
shocks can be prevented by observing safe work practices. Before each
use, electric tools should be inspected for proper earthing, frayed or
broken wires, and cracked plugs. Only properly earthed or doubleinsulated tools should be used on the job site. An isolating transformer or
similar approved device should be used for additional protection,
particularly when working in damp conditions’.
(b)
OSH Guidelines for the Provision of Facilities and General Safety in the
Construction Industry (1995)
This OSH document provides guidance on compliance with the
requirements of the Health & Safety in Employment legislation. Section 3
covers electrical issues. It refers to ‘portable electrical appliances’ (to be
read as including handheld appliances) which when used in damp
situations have requirements equivalent to Electricity Regulation 77.
Section 3 also states that all electrical tools and equipment should be
inspected prior to their first use and thereafter at least at 3 monthly
intervals. It also states that all tools and equipment should have an
identification tag stating the date of last inspection and when the next is
due.
(Note: The Guidelines are written for ‘construction work’ as defined in the
Health & Safety in Employment legislation. See section 6.1).
4.3
Standards
The Standards relevant to the industry which cover low voltage electrical
appliances are:
(a)
AS/NZS 2381.1:1999 Electrical equipment for explosive atmospheres
Selection, installation and maintenance. Part 1: General requirements.
The scope of the Standard states that it specifies general requirements,
additional to those required for basic electrical safety, for the selection of
electrical equipment and instruments, and associated equipment, and for
the electrical equipment’s installation and maintenance to ensure safe use
in hazardous areas where flammable materials are generated, prepared,
processed, handled, stored or otherwise used.
(b)
AS/NZS 3000:2000 Electrical installations – Buildings, structures and
premises. This Standard makes a reference to construction and demolition
sites and cross refers to AS/NZS 3012.
(c)
AS/NZS 3012:2003 Electrical installations – Construction and demolition
sites. The scope of this Standard states that it sets out minimum
requirements for the design, construction and testing of electrical
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installations which supply electricity to appliances and equipment on
construction and demolition sites, and for the in-service testing of portable,
relocatable and fixed electrical equipment used on construction and
demolition sites.
(d)
AS/NZS 3760:2001 In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical
equipment. The scope of this Standard states that it specifies procedures
for the safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment, low voltage
single phase and polyphase, which is to be entered into service for the first
time, or which is already in service, has been serviced, or is available for
hire or resale.
(e)
AS/NZS 3760:2003 In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical
equipment. The scope of this Standard is similar to AS/NZS 3760:2001.
(i)
Changes between the 2001 and 2003 versions of the Standard
include:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(ii)
Changes incorporated into AS/NZS 3760:2003 include:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(iii)
(b)
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The environment for frequency of inspection and test is more
usage based, rather than specific site based.
Customised solutions based on risk assessment are now
allowed.
Definitions are introduced for ‘responsible person’ and the
qualifications of a ‘competent person’ clarified by notes.
Guidelines to the knowledge of electrical principles with which
a competent person is likely to be familiar added as an
informative Appendix.
Additional definitions.
Inspection and test responsibilities of the hirer and hiree are
now stated and the inspection, test and tag intervals for the
hirer clarified.
Note: Two versions of AS/NZS 3760 are referred to.
because:
(a)
(f)
It does not apply to equipment entering service for the first
time.
It applies only to equipment connected by a flexible cord
and/or connecting device.
It applies to second-hand equipment re-entering service.
It does not apply to equipment at a height of more than 2.5
metres above the ground, floor or platform where there is not
a reasonable chance of a person touching the equipment
and, at the same time, coming into contact with an earth path.
It does not apply to equipment which would need dismantling
for inspection and test.
It does not apply to fixed or stationary equipment connected
to wiring that forms part of the electrical installation within the
scope of AS/NZS 3000.
This is
The 2001 version is the version referred to in the Electricity
Regulations 1997.
There is also a 2003 version.
AS/NZS 4417.1:2000 Marking of electrical products to indicate compliance
with regulations. The scope of this Standard specifies the requirements
for the use of a trademark called the Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM)
on electrical products to indicate compliance with regulations applicable to
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aspects of the product as covered in other parts of this Standard
(AS/NZS 4417). The 2000 edition includes the 1996 edition, plus the four
amendments. (The Standard is a manufacturing Standard).
4.4
Industry “Best Practice” Guidelines
(a)
Safety Manual – Electricity Industry (SM-EI) July 2004: Rule 2.1405
(i)
(ii)
Rule 2.1405 (Hand-held Electrical Appliances) provides:
(a)
guidance on the application of Regulation 77 of the Electricity
Regulations,
(b)
reference to this Technical Guide for guidance on inspection
and testing of appliances, and the intervals to be used,
(c)
use of appliances.
Appendix A describes ‘construction work’ as used in the Health and
Safety in Employment Regulations.
Note: Safety Manual – Electricity Industry (SM-EI), where adopted by an
asset owner or contractor, is mandatory.
5.
ELECTRICITY REGULATIONS 1997 (as amended)
(a)
Regulation 38 Testing electrical appliances
This Regulation requires that a person who carries out prescribed electrical work
on, or work that may affect the electrical safety of, an electrical appliance must
verify that the appliance is electrically safe before releasing it from his or her
control or returning it to service.
Compliance with this regulation can be achieved by testing the electrical
appliance in accordance with AS/NZS 3760.
(Note that while the regulations recognise only the 2001 issue of the Standard,
the 2003 issue can be used for this testing. Alternatively another suitable
standard which provides an equivalent testing procedure can be used).
(b)
Regulation 64, Residual current device characteristics
This Regulation specifies the characteristics for RCDs.
(c)
Regulation 69, Electrical safety
This Regulation requires electrical appliances, cords, protective devices etc to be
designed, constructed, maintained, installed and used so that they are
electrically safe.
‘Electrically safe’ means that there is no significant risk of injury or death to any
person, or of damage to any property, as a result of the use of any appliance,
cord, protective device, etc.
(d)
Regulation 69B, Compliance with regulation 69(1)
Electrical appliances, cords, protective devices etc comply with regulation 69(1) if
they comply with:
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(i)
(ii)
(e)
AS/NZS 2381.1 for hazardous areas,
AS/NZS 3012 for construction and demolition sites.
Regulation 76, Fittings and electrical appliances
This Regulation includes specified requirements for electrical appliances, cords,
protective devices etc. The requirements include:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(f)
Low voltage electrical appliances, cords, protective devices etc must
comply with AS/NZS 38201,
Equipment that is in-service is electrically safe if it has been tested,
inspected and tagged in accordance with AS/NZS 3760,
Equipment being hired out or leased out is electrically safe if it has been
tested in accordance with AS/NZS 3760 before the hire or lease and has
passed the tests required by AS/NZS 3760,
A used appliance that is sold is electrically safe if before it is sold it has
been tested in accordance with, and meets the requirements of, AS/NZS
3760, and has been tagged accordingly.
Regulation 76A, Non-complying fittings and electrical appliances
(i)
This regulation specifies that electrical appliances, cords, protective
devices etc are not electrically safe if:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(ii)
It also specifies that an electrical appliance is not electrically safe if:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(g)
In normal use, or in the event of abnormal operation, it functions
unsafely so as to cause danger to persons, property or animals,
It has inadequate protection against direct contact or indirect
contact,
Its unearthed conductive parts are separated from live parts only by
basic insulation.
The voltage at which it operates is not adequately marked on it,
It is used for a use other than its normal use, and is not provided, or
used in conjunction, with suitable safeguards,
It is so constructed that it is not safe under both normal and
abnormal conditions of use.
Regulation 77, Handheld appliances
This Regulation requires that for handheld appliances:
(i)
They are connected to a supply of electricity via a socket outlet or a
connector of suitable capacity,
(ii)
The supply voltage does not exceed 250 volts to earth,
(iii)
They are not used in a substantially conductive location without one of the
following safeguards,
(a)
(b)
(c)
They are fixed wired and connected through a continuous flexible
cord to an electrical supply from a source isolated from earth with a
voltage between conductors not exceeding 250 volts,
They are supplied from an extra-low voltage source,
They are double-insulated and supplied with electricity through a
RCD.
1
AS/NZS 3820 sets out requirements for low voltage electrical equipment, to ensure that electrical equipment is
constructed in accordance with good engineering practice in regard to safety.
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(iv)
Unless (iii) applies, where they are used indoors in a situation that is
normally damp, outdoors, or in a building or structure under construction,
they must be used with one of the following safeguards;
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(h)
Any of the safeguards in (iii) above,
Supply from a monitored earth circuit where the supply is
automatically disconnected if the earth to the handheld appliance is
broken or disconnected,
Supply from a source connected to earth so that the voltage to earth
will not exceed 55 volts ac,
Supply through a RCD,
Supply from a source isolated from earth with a voltage between
conductors not exceeding 250 volts,
Double insulation.
Regulation 90, Damp situations
This regulation states that electrical appliances are not electrically safe when
located in damp situations where;
(i)
(i)
They are not protected from the ingress of moisture which could result in a
hazard of electric shock.
(ii)
They are supplied from socket outlets in areas that are to be immersed in
or splashed with water, and the outlets do not have personal electrical
protection such as a RCD, isolating transformer, or supply at extra low
voltage.
Regulation 94, Protection against direct and indirect electrical contact
This regulation requires a person having control of an electrical appliance to take
all practicable steps to minimise the risk of direct or indirect contact with the
appliance. Compliance can be achieved by;
6.
(i)
preventing the passage of an electrical current through a person or limiting
the current and its duration to less than the IEC shock currents standard,
(ii)
automatic disconnection of the power supply on the occurrence of a fault,
(iii)
use of screens, barriers etc to prevent direct or indirect contact.
INTERPRETATIONS
6.1
Construction and Demolition
The Electricity Act defines ‘construction’ and the HSE Regulations define
‘construction work’. The Electricity Regulations refer to ‘building or structure
under construction’.
Regulation 69 requires appliances to be electrically safe. Regulation 76 gives
specific requirements for appliances which are hired or leased, and regulation 77
gives specific requirements for handheld appliances.
The requirements of the Regulations (both HSE and Electricity) relating to
construction and demolition are to be applied to work which is construction
and/or demolition in its dictionary sense, ie. where a structure or building is being
erected, modified, demolished or moved. Such construction or demolition work
is a Type 1 environment in Appendix 1 of this Technical Guide.
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Work which is of the nature of maintenance, even though it is defined as
‘construction work’ by the HSE Regulations, is a Type 2 environment in Appendix
1 of this Technical Guide.
6.2
Regulations
(a)
Electricity Regulation 38
Electricity Regulation 38 requires that any electrical appliance which has
been installed or repaired is tested to ensure operational safety. Repaired
appliances must be tested in accordance with AS/NZS 3760 after the
repairs have been completed and before the appliance is used.
Even though the Electricity Regulations refer specifically to the 2001
version of AS/NZS 3760, the 2003 version is also appropriate for this
testing.
(b)
Electricity Regulation 69
Electricity Regulation 69 requires fittings and electrical appliances to be
electrically safe when used. To be ‘electrically safe’ appliances and other
portable equipment need to be periodically inspected and tested.
Compliance with this requirement can be achieved by following the
requirements of AS/NZS 3012 for construction and demolition sites (which
refers to AS/NZS 3760), or AS/NZS 3760.
(c)
General
The Energy Safety Service has advised that appliances used for the
construction or maintenance of ‘works’ (as defined in the Electricity Act)
are also ‘works’. This has minimal impact on the interpretation of safety
requirements.
6.3
OSH Approved Code of Practice and Guidelines
The OSH Approved Code of Practice for Demolition referred to in 4.3 covers the
requirements for demolition sites. Demolition is to be interpreted as in 6.1.
The OSH Guidelines referred to in 4.3 refer to construction work.
interpretation given in 6.1 applies.
6.4
The
Standards
AS/NZS 3760 and AS/NZS 3012 specify requirements for the inspection and
testing of equipment which is hired or leased. The requirements for when testing
takes place differ and are:
(a)
AS/NZS 3760:2001 requires inspection before each hire or lease and
tested monthly.
(b)
AS/NZS 3760:2003 requires inspection before each hire or lease and
tested 3 monthly.
(c)
AS/NZS 3012:2003 requires inspection before each hire and tested at not
greater than monthly intervals.
As AS/NZS 3760:2001 and AS/NZS 3012:2003 are the Standards recognised in
the Electricity Regulations, the testing period for hired or leased equipment is
one month. Before any hired, leased or second hand equipment is used, it
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should be checked to identify that it is clearly marked to show that the necessary
testing has been completed within the previous month.
7.
USE OF ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
The requirements for the use of handheld appliances, portable appliances, cords,
EPODs etc are specified in Electricity Regulations 69 and 77. SM-EI rule 2.1214
specifies the requirements of Regulation 77 for the use of safeguards, including
protective devices such as RCDs. In all circumstances the equipment must be
electrically safe for use.
Any appliances purchased for use must comply with AS/NZS 2381 for use in
hazardous areas, and AS/NZS 4417 for all other use.
Any hired, leased or second hand appliances must have passed the testing
requirements of AS/NZS 3760.
Any equipment used for construction or demolition must have passed the testing
requirements of AS/NZS 3012, which states that the requirements are those in AS/NZS
3760.
8.
INSPECTION AND TESTING REQUIREMENTS
Inspection and testing of appliances (including fixed, handheld, portable and
stationary), RCDs, extension cords, and EPODs shall be periodically carried out.
8.1
Standard for Testing
Testing should be in accordance with either:
(a)
(b)
8.2
AS/NZS 3012:2003 Section 3; or
AS/NZS 3760, preferably 2003.
Inspection and Testing Intervals
Maximum inspection and testing intervals are specified in Appendix 1 of this
Guide. These are derived from AS/NZS 3012 for construction and demolition
sites, and from AS/NZS 3760 for the remainder. Where conditions of service are
such that these intervals are too long then lesser intervals must be used.
Any equipment hired in or out must be inspected before each hire, and tested
and tagged as required in Appendix 1.
Electrical equipment used in other than construction and maintenance should be
tested at the relevant interval in Appendix 1.
8.3
Competence Requirements
Inspection and testing of in-service equipment may be carried out by a person
who the owner of the equipment deems to be competent to do so, ie. they do not
have to be a registered or licensed person. A competent person must have the
necessary training, qualification, and/or experience to correctly undertake the
tasks of inspection and testing. Notes to the definition of ‘Competent person’ in
AS/NZS 3760:2003 provide guidance on competence criteria, and Appendix J of
the Standard provides further guidelines on the expected knowledge of electrical
principles.
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8.4
Marking & Documentation
The requirements of AS/NZS 3012 and/or AS/NZS 3760 shall be followed for
marking of the tested equipment, for both defective and for compliant equipment.
(a)
Non-Compliant Equipment
Where the equipment fails to comply with inspection or test criteria, it shall
be appropriately labeled to indicate that it requires repair or disposal.
(b)
Compliant Equipment
Where equipment complies with test criteria it shall have a durable, nonreuseable, non-conductive tag or equivalent attached.
(c)
Tags
The tag shall identify the person or organization who performed the test
and the re-test date, which may be a code understood by persons using
the equipment, eg colour code (It may also include the test date). The tag,
or other durable marking on the equipment, should also contain an
identifier which links to records. New equipment shall be tagged with a
‘test due’ date.
(d)
Records
Records shall be available at the same site as the equipment is based,
and the records shall be current before the equipment is re-used.
Records of test and inspection shall record the following:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
A register of all equipment.
A record of formal inspection and tests and re-test dates.
A repair register.
A record of all faulty equipment showing details of services or
corrective actions.
Records should be retained for 7 years.
8.5
Defective Equipment
Defective equipment shall be withdrawn from service, and clearly marked as
required by clause 8.4(a) above.
8.6
Lockable Trigger Switches
When a lockable trigger switch has been operated and locked for the purpose of
testing the appliance, the lock shall be released at the completion of testing.
Leaving the switch locked on creates a hazard for the first user.
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APPENDIX 1: Frequency of Inspection & Testing of Equipment
Appliances, extension cords, EPODs and RCDs should be:
(a)
(b)
Visually inspected daily or before each use, with particular emphasis on the cord.
Inspected and tested:
− Before return to service after a repair, and for second-hand equipment before being re-introduced to service.
− At intervals not exceeding those in the following table.
Note: Testing and inspection requirements before use for the first time are covered in Section 7.
INTERVAL BETWEEN INSPECTION AND TESTS
TYPE OF ENVIRONMENT IN
WHICH EQUIPMENT IS USED
Appliance
Residual Current Devices (RCDs)
Double Insulated
(Class I)
(Class II)
Portable
Fixed
Portable
Fixed
1. Construction or demolition work
on structures or buildings.
3 months
3 months
Immediately after
connection to a
socket outlet, and
every day in use.
1 month
3 months
12 months
3 months
2. Factories, workshops,
maintenance work at power
stations, work on network assets.
6 months
12 months
Daily, or before every
use, whichever is the
longer.
6 months
12 months
12 months
6 months
3. Environments associated with
construction and maintenance
(eg. tearooms, kitchens). Any
equipment on which power cord is
flexed (except 1 and 2).
12 months
12 months
3 months
6 months
12 months
12 months
12 months
5 years
5 years
3 months
6 months
2 years
2 years
5 years
Inspect before each
hire. Test & tag
monthly.
Inspect before each
hire. Test & tag
monthly.
Prior to each hire,
including push-button
test.
N/A
Test & tag monthly.
Test & tag 12
monthly.
Inspect before
each hire, test &
tag monthly.
4. Offices (no flexing of power
cords).
5. Equipment hired in or out.
Push-Button Test By User
Operating Time and Push-Button Test
Cord extension
sets and EPODs
Protectively Earthed
