Electrical Equipment Inspection

The Electrical (Safety) Regulations 2010 govern the safety of electrical equipment. Sensible testing and tagging of equipment according to AS/NZS 3760:2022 (The Standard) is the preferred and best practice method of meeting the testing requirements under the regulations. By using a risk profile to regularly inspect and test fixed and mobile electrical appliances and other equipment we can ensure they are safe and standards compliant, whilst avoiding unnecessary work.

To follow this procedure, electrical equipment must be regularly tested, in keeping with the attached example schedule. This schedule builds from the example schedule in the AS/NZS standard to specifically apply to the University of Auckland, and

1. takes risk into account where risk is higher or lower such as
   • fixed or stationary equipment, connected by flexible cable or cord and not in a hostile environment (lower risk, so low or nil testing required)
   • mobile plant, or higher risk equipment in hostile environments such as engineering tools or lab equipment. (higher risk, so more frequent testing required)
2. takes into account equipment that has been just placed into service (The Standard, 1.2.1.2)
   • All equipment is required to be tested and tagged before being put into service, unless powered via fixed RCD or portable (tagged) RCD device.
   • Not all equipment that is fixed in place is required to be retested (refer The Standard 1.2.3) however the recommendation is a minimum period of 5 yearly testing for everything, if the item remains in service (or more regularly in hostile environments)
3. takes into account ELV equipment
   • T&T is not required, but users and/or equipment testers often mistakenly assume it is (leading to inefficiencies and additional labour).
4. includes any of the following (The Standard 1.1)
   • Portable or stationary LV electrical equipment with fixed supply cord
   • Portable or stationary equipment with removable supply cord
   • Cords (including IEC leads and similar that are removable from portable/stationary equipment) and extension lead/outlet sets, multiway boards
   • Power supplies, such as adaptor/plug packs (including block and ‘wall-wart’ style)

This procedure does not

1. currently give a method of equipment numbering or asset tagging, or a way to store lists of equipment. Well managed lists of equipment are usually necessary to remind users when T&T is due (as well as visual inspections/observations by users) and it is assumed this is taken care of at a Faculty/school level or by the Campus Environment team
2. detail the required methods of testing. These are defined in The Standard
3. does not include every example of equipment required to be tested or not, The Standard and sample equipment lists shall be read in conjunction with this procedure
   • An example is (The Standard 1.1.2) equipment installed 2.5m or greater above the ground may not require testing
4. state the test equipment necessary. These are outlined in The Standard, however T&T is more efficient and reliable with more specialised equipment available such as PAT testers
5. give the requirements for competency of a Tester carrying out T&T. The standard requires a competent person and therefore can be done by anyone deemed competent via relevant training and/or experience (i.e. does not require a registered electrician). Records and documentation to show the competency of Testers who are undertaking T&T must however be recorded and remain available for review by the UoA HSW team
6. give a process for policing and incentivising or consequences for non-compliance. This includes user equipment brought from home or not purchased via standard procurement paths

A recommended, and UoA specific tag is downloadable below. 

A tester would be expected to strikethrough AS/NZS 3760 Tested, if ONLY a Visual inspection was completed (eg. for ELV equipment such as laptops, ELV monitors or equipment that is permanently mounted and The Standard dictates it does not need PAT testing) 

This tag includes requirements of The Standard and includes: 

• The title: INSPECTED 
• The words: AS/NZS 3760 Tested (with a tick box) 
• The words: Visual Inspection Completed (with a tick box) A space to fill in the name of person testing i.e. Tested By
• A space to write or print Test/Inspection date
• A space to write or print Next retest date (Based on UoA schedule) 
• A circle for Risk Category which allows for a coloured sticker of the correct type (according to UoA equipment/risk schedule) 
• Optionally: a QR code that links to the Electrical Inspection web page

Electrical appliances which fail to comply with the standard when tested under this procedure shall be withdrawn from service immediately, labelled with a warning against further use and arrangements made for by an authorised repair agent or service personnel or for disposal or destruction.

Regulation 26: General Duties of Electrical Equipment Safety - This regulation states that electrical equipment must be safe and not pose a risk of injury or harm. They must be constructed and maintained adequately to prevent danger

Regulation 60: Requirements for works, installations, fittings, appliances and associated equipment - This includes requirements that all installations and equipment must be regularly maintained and inspected to ensure ongoing safety, adhering to acceptable standards

The Standard: refers to AS/NZS 3760:2022 In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment.  Use in this document is for low voltage single phase and polyphase electrical equipment, connected to the electrical supply by a flexible cord and/or connecting device.. Not for medical equipment, or construction sites (where other standards apply)

ELV: Equipment under AS/NZS3000 Wiring Rules defined as "extra low voltage" as "Not exceeding 50Vac or 120V ripple-free dc".  This equipment needs limited or Nil testing with regards to The Standard

LV: In this document LV is referring to any voltage above ELV up to 1000Vac, and specifically where electrical T&T is necessary

PAT: Portable Appliance Testing

T&T: Test and Tag (of electrical equipment) 

Tester: The competent person carrying out test and tagging 

Complete an observation form for unsafe electrical equipment or an expired tag

AS/NZS 3000:2018 Electrical installations - Australian/New Zealand Wiring Rules

AS/NZS 2500:2020 Safe use of medical electrical equipment in health care

AS/NZS 3012:2019 Electrical installations - Construction and demolition sites

Document Control
Version: 1.0
Last Updated: Dec 2025
Next Review: Dec 2028
Owner: hsw@auckland.ac.nz
Approver: Associate Director, Health Safety & Wellbeing