scope:

This standard specifies procedures for the safety inspection and testing of low voltage single phase and polyphase electrical equipment, connected to an electrical supply by a flexible cord or connecting device, and that:

Is new equipment placed into service for the first time;

Is already in-service;

Has been serviced or repaired;

Is returning to service from a second-hand sale; or

Is available for hire.

This standard also specifies procedures for the safety inspection and testing of:

- In Australia, residual current devices (RCDs) installed in the electrical installation;

- Portable inverters that generate or produce low voltage.

Typical examples of equipment covered by this standard are:

- Portable equipment, hand-held equipment and stationary equipment, designed for connection to the low voltage supply by a supply cord, an appliance inlet or pins for insertion into a socket-outlet;

- Cord sets, cord extension sets and portable outlet devices;

- Portable residual current devices (PRCD), outgoing assemblies for construction sites (ACS); portable socket-outlet assemblies (PSOA), outlet boxes;

- Flexible cords connected to fixed equipment in hostile environments;

- Portable power supplies (includes power adaptor/plug-pack, both of the safety isolating transformer and switch-mode type);

- Battery chargers, including those for commercial or industrial use;

- Portable and transportable heavy duty tools such as high-pressure washers and concrete grinders.

This standard applies only to equipment in-service at a place of work, public place, accommodation place, or equipment offered for hire.

This standard does not apply to

a) Electrical equipment installed at a height of 2.5 m or greater 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 earth or any conducting medium that may be in electrical contact with earth or through which a circuit may be completed to earth;

b) Equipment that would need to be dismantled to perform the inspection and tests specified in this standard;

NOTE - If, for some reason outside the scope of this standard, equipment has to be dismantled to verify safety, this action is only to be performed by a technically qualified person.

c) Requirements for functional checks;

d) RCDs used in the supply to medical equipment within the scope of AS/NZS 3003 or NZS 6115;

e) Fixed equipment (except, in Australia, RCDs) or stationary equipment connected to wiring that forms part of the electrical installation and hence falls within the scope of AS/NZS 3000;

f) Medical electrical equipment, nor any equipment connected to medical electrical equipment in a medical electrical system, as defined in AS/NZS 3551;

NOTE - Test and inspection requirements for this equipment are contained in AS/NZS 3551.

g) Portable generators, within the scope of AS/NZS 3010;

h) In New Zealand, demonstration stock in retail or wholesale outlets;

i) In Australia, demonstration stock in retail or wholesale outlets, however the responsible person should regularly conduct a visual inspection.