AS/NZ 3760: 2003 is a document written by Standards Australia that specifies procedures and criteria for the inspection and in-service safety testing of electrical equipment designed for connection by flexible cable. It also applies to extension cord kits, portable outlet devices, portable residual current devices. The appendices include detailed test methods.
1. Visual inspection
The most important test is a Visual Inspection of the device, especially its cables. The cables must be firmly anchored in the sockets, the connections must be made solidly with no frayed ends. Copper terminals must be clean and free of pitting.
There should be no signs of heat or melting of the plugs. Cables should be visually inspected along their entire length to ensure there are no cuts, cracks, or breaks. This test alone represents 80% of the testing process.
2.Polarity
A Polarity test is performed on cables, power boards, etc., and is a functional check that Live, Neutral, and especially Earth are not wired incorrectly.
3. Insulation resistance
This test is important for devices that come into contact with water, such as pumps, cleaning and kitchen appliances, etc., but it must be carried out on all items. This will reveal if there are any hairline cracks or cuts in the wire resulting in low insulation resistance.
4. Resistance to Earth
This test will pass a larger current (up to 25 amps) through the wire to ensure that the ground wire has a strong connection.
5. Ground Leakage/ Touch Leakage
A leak test must be performed on a circuit that must be energized to be turned on. that is, circuits with electronic switches. The apparatus is tested under load and the amount of current leaking from the circuit is tested.
6. The label itself
A label will be attached to the plug end of the appliance cord. It will clearly indicate the date of the test, the date the test is due again, and who performed it.
7. Database
A complete test record database will be created, including; the identification of the asset; Test results; sites and locations; retest date; description of the asset, brand and serial number; and any additional notes our testing and labeling specialists wish to include.