AVO New Zealand

Standards NZ has just issued AS/NZS3760:2003 In-Service Safety Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment.

There are some minor changes from the previous standard AS/NZS3760:2001:

A. A clearer definition of a “Competent Person” (page 9)
B. The addition of a “risk assessment” option to the Frequency of Testing clause (page 12)
C. The testing period for hire equipment changes to 3 monthly (page 19)
D. The addition of technical specs for PAT testers (pages 20 & 22)
E. A good definition of earth continuity and earth bond tests (page 20)


There is one major change:
Appendix B, “Insulation Testing” (pages 22 and 23)

In addition to the standard 500V insulation test, in this standard it is now mandatory to conduct a leakage current test on appliances that need to be energised to operate a switching device e.g. an electronic toaster. The leakage current test is performed with the appliance energised and the leakage current must not exceed 5mA.

The earlier standard AS/NZS3760:2001 is still current. Until the 2003 standard is cited in the Electricity Regulations and supersedes the 2001 standard, the 2001 standard remains current. The Energy Safety Service believes the 2003 standard will be cited in the regs “sometime in the next 12 months”. So, until that happens, both standards are current.

AVO New Zealand carry the Megger range of Portable Appliance Testers and can assist with the selection of the right test equipment for your needs.