8 Common Test & Tag Mistakes to Avoid

Electrical equipment and its safety go hand in hand, especially when you work in the Test and Tag Industry. It goes without saying how important it is to ensure that electrical equipment is fit for use given the extent of harm a faulty appliance can do to people and the workplace.

Even though testing and tagging is a straightforward process, there are still many misconceptions about it and why it’s done in the first place. Read on to know about 8 common and hugely mistaken myths circling the test and tag industry.

MYTH 1: You have to be an electrician to test and tag electrical equipment

Put simply, no you don't have to be an electrician. According to AS/NZS 3760:2022 (referred to as "the test and tag standard"), you must be deemed as a COMPETENT person to carry out testing and tagging services in Australia. You don’t have to be an electrician or even have an electrical background, all that is required is for you to be regarded as a competent person which you can accomplish by undertaking our test and tag course.

MYTH 2: You don't need to test and tag new equipment

This is a common misconception, as it is expected that the equipment would be certified safe by the provider at the time of sale. After all, they can't sell it if it isn't safe, right? In Australia, new equipment only requires a visual inspection, followed by applying a NEW TO SERVICE tag before the appliance is used for the first time. Now, there may be a situation where the equipment is new to you, but in reality, has been used before. In such a case, it is advised to ensure that the equipment is fully checked and tested before usage. This might include stores that sell second-hand equipment.

MYTH 3: Testing an appliance once is enough

This one is a big no-no! Portable appliances need to be tested regularly. Frequency often depends on the industry where the appliances are being used. For example, equipment that is used in the building, construction, and demolition industries, we recommend testing every 3 months. Due to the higher probability of the equipment being damaged in this industry, testing frequency is shorter. In slightly safer places like office server rooms, cords and appliances can be tested yearly.

MYTH 4: All Portable Appliance Testers will do the job

Unfortunately, no. Leakage testing, also known as a run test or load test, is a requirement of the standard for equipment with electronic switches or components that must be powered by the mains in order to operate. This involves connecting the equipment to the PAT Tester and turning the equipment on to check whether any [fault] current is leaking to earth. Many of the testers available on the market can't perform this test and you’ll be pretty annoyed when you find out they can't fulfil the requirements of the standard when you start testing. This is where we come in, speak to our PAT experts at Appliance Testing supplies before purchasing (especially if you are ordering online!).

MYTH 5: You can't test computers because they are sensitive equipment

In most cases, this is incorrect as a computer is tested just the same way we would test a toaster. If there is real concern that an appliance may be damaged due to parts of the testing process, there are ways to perform only the critical tests and omit the part that is causing concern. We offer lifetime support services, to anyone who has bought equipment through us or has completed our course. If you face any issues with testing an item and need help, you can always get in touch with us. Also, you can read more about this in our article on How to test and tag a computer.

MYTH 6: An appliance that has been tagged is safe to use

No, it’s always a good idea to check the tag and see when the appliance was tested last. A tag does not necessarily mean that the appliance is safe to be used, it mainly implies that the equipment was tested sometime in the past. A good practice is to check the information given on the tag, see the date it was tested on, who tested it, when is the next test due and read any remarks written.

MYTH 7: You can use duct tape to patch a wire

MYTH 8: You only have to test and tag the equipment that is being regularly used

Actually, quite the opposite. Equipment that has hardly been used over the years and only gets pulled out occasionally has more reasons to be tested than the appliances you're using daily. Since you're not using this equipment, often you don't know what condition it's in and even though a visual inspection can give a fair bit of an idea about its form, there is no way you can completely tell if it's working perfectly fine or not until the appliance is tested and tagged. So yes, you must test an appliance that has limited usage.