Testing
Testing is electrical work under the Electrical Safety Act 2002.
You may need to test electrical equipment to:
- detect a fault or defect in electrical equipment
- locate a fault or defect in electrical equipment
- measure the performance of electrical equipment
- verify compliance with the wiring rules
- determine whether electrical equipment is energised or not
- fulfil test and tag requirements
- check electrical work (i.e., prior to connection or reconnection to an electricity supply).
A person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) who carries out electrical work must ensure the electrical safety of all persons and property likely to be affected by the electrical work.
Who can test electrical equipment?
Testing of electrical equipment is electrical work and can only be performed by a licensed electrical worker. However, a person is not required to hold an electrical work licence for the purposes of testing if one of the following applies:
- the specific safety testing of electrical equipment as required in workplace electrical installations (e.g. test and tag) or for hiring electrical equipment that is performed by a competent person
- the testing of works of an electricity entity that is performed by a competent person
- the testing of electrical equipment which does not interfere with the integrity of the electrical equipment that is performed by a person.
A person using an appropriate voltmeter to measure voltage, or a person testing a safety switch in a domestic electrical installation by operating a test button on the safety switch.
Competency is based on knowledge and skills gained from training, experience, qualifications or a combination of these.
What is energised electrical work?
Energised electrical work refers to electrical work on or near energised electrical equipment.
Generally, electrical work on or near energised electrical equipment is prohibited. However, electrical work on energised electrical work is permitted where one or more of the following applies:
- it is necessary in the interests of health and safety that the electrical work is carried out on or near the electrical equipment while the equipment is energised
- it is necessary that the electrical equipment is energised in order for the work to be carried out properly
- it is necessary for testing the electrical equipment to determine whether or not electrical equipment is energised (otherwise known as testing for dead)
- there is no reasonable alternative means of carrying out the work.
When is testing a form of energised electrical work?
Testing is a form of energised electrical work where testing occurs on or near energised electrical equipment.
Testing to determine whether or not electrical equipment is energised (otherwise known as testing for dead) is always energised electrical work.
Other types of testing which may also be energised electrical work include, testing energised electrical equipment to:
- measure voltage of electrical equipment
- determine polarity of electrical equipment
- measure the performance of electrical equipment
- determine compliance with the wiring rules
- detect a fault or defect in electrical equipment
- locate a fault or defect in electrical equipment.
Performing testing on or near energised electrical equipment is only permitted in line with the permitted circumstances for energised electrical work (above).
When is testing not a form of energised electrical work?
Testing is not considered a form of energised electrical work where testing is performed on electrical equipment after the equipment has either been:
- proven to be de-energised, and then isolated and locked out
- physically disconnected from a source of electricity, and then been proven to be de-energised.
The electrical equipment is unplugged from a power point or the electrical installation is not connected to the source of electricity.
Electrical equipment is considered energised until it has been found to be de-energised, isolated and locked out.
What do I need to do when performing energised electrical work?
Persons who test energised electrical equipment, are required to comply with requirements for energised electrical work outlined in Part 3, Division 1 of the Electrical Safety Regulation 2013.
It is critical that workers and PCBUs are aware of and take the appropriate steps to minimise electrical risk when performing energised electrical work.
Before any testing of energised electrical equipment, the following must occur:
- the electrical equipment must be tested to determine whether it is energised or not
- a competent person must conduct and record a risk assessment for the work
- a safe work method statement (SWMS) must be prepared
- the area must be clear of obstructions
- the point at which the equipment can be disconnected/isolated from electricity must be clearly marked or labelled, easy to access and can be operated quickly
- the person with management or control of the workplace must be consulted.
Whilst testing is occurring on or near energised electrical equipment:
- unauthorised person must be prevented from entering the immediate area
- all persons must be prevented from making inadvertent contact with the energised electrical equipment.
The testing of energised electrical equipment must be carried out:
- by a competent person who has working, suitable and maintained tools, equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE)
- in accordance with the SWMS
- with a safety observer present (unless the electrical work consists only of testing and the risk assessment shows there is no serious risk associated with the testing).
The PCBU must ensure that a record of the risk assessment and SWMS is kept and made available for inspection by the worker or an inspector.
You can learn more about how to meet your duties in the following codes of practice:
- Electrical safety code of practice 2021 - Managing electrical risks in the workplace (PDF, 1.26 MB)
- Electrical safety code of practice 2020 – Working near overhead and underground electric lines (PDF, 0.55 MB)
- How to manage work health and safety risks Code of Practice 2021 (PDF, 0.65 MB)