This note outlines the regulatory requirements for testing electrical appliances after certain work, such as repair or maintenance, is done on them.
The Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 have been amended to make changes to certification for prescribed electrical work in installations. These amendments have highlighted some uncertainties around the requirements following work carried out on electrical appliances.
The Electricity (Safety) Amendment Regulations 2012(external link), introduced a requirement for the certification of maintenance or replacement work carried out in all or part of an installation by the introduction of the electrical safety certificate (ESC) (regulation 74A).
This is not required for the repair work carried out on appliances.
The existing requirement in regulation 90 to test an appliance after repair and confirm that it is electrically safe in accordance with one of the following is unchanged by the 2012 amendment:
- AS/NZS 3551 for medical devices; or
- AS/NZS 5762 for all other low voltage or extra low voltage appliances
Note the definition of an electrical installation does not include an electrical appliance. The definition for an electrical appliance in the Electricity Act 1992(external link) means any appliance that uses, or is designed or intended to use, electricity, whether or not it also uses, or is designed or intended to use, any other form of energy. This definition does not differentiate between fixed and directly connected appliances or portable and plug in appliances.
For further clarification please read regulation 90 of the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010.
Regulation 90 in the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010.(external link)
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