If you’ve spotted a small, colourful label on a power cord or appliance in your Sydney workplace, then you’ve seen an electrical test tag in action. These tags are a tiny record of testing that makes it easy to identify whether a piece of electrical equipment is safe to use and compliant with AS/NZS 3760:2022.
The Local Guys are here to give you a quick overview of what test tags are, how to read them, and why they are so important. Understanding electrical tags can take the confusion out of compliance testing and ensure your routine safety checks are never neglected!
What Is an Electrical Test Tag?
An electrical test tag is the label that technicians attach to electrical appliances after they have been inspected and tested under AS/NZS 3760:2022.
Electrical test tags are simple but powerful safety tools that can tell you when an appliance was tested, who tested it, and whether it’s safe to use. In Sydney, these tags help businesses stay compliant with Australian standards, reduce safety risks, and maintain a professional work environment.
Whether the tag is on a portable electrical appliance in an office or a heavy-duty power tool on a construction site, it's easy to check the tag and see whether the item is up-to-date on its electrical compliance requirements.
What Information Does a Test Tag Include?
Each test tag is packed with valuable details. Here’s what you’ll typically find on a test tag in Sydney:
- Test Date to show when the testing and tagging service was last carried out
- Tester ID or Company Name as evidence of who performed the inspection
- Pass/Fail Status to show if the appliance is safe or dangerous
- Next Test Due Date to keep you on schedule with the testing portable appliances
- Contact Details for the technician or company
- Additional Info such as asset number, location, or notes on repairs
Think of a tag as a miniature compliance report that you can read in seconds, with all the important information and testing history for the item!
What Happens if Your Appliance Fails Test and Tag?
Not every appliance passes the visual or electrical inspection. When faulty equipment is identified by a Test and Tag technician, it’s fitted with a failed test tag. This tag usually comes in a bright colour (such as red or orange), and clearly marks the item as dangerous. This ensures it's obvious that the electrical appliance is unsafe and shouldn't be used.
The fail tag will display:
- Danger or Warning Signs to make it clear that the item failed testing and is not fit for use
- Checkboxes for the Detected Faults to show why the item failed
- Asset Number to identify the item clearly
In Sydney workplaces, removing faulty equipment from service immediately is essential to avoid electrical risks like electric shocks or electrical fires. Any unsafe items must either be replaced or repaired by a licensed electrician.
Test Tag Colours: What They Mean
Ever wondered why test tags come in different colours? Most workplaces and industries in Sydney don't need to use specific colours for their electrical test tags. The Local Guys often use black tags for regular Test and Tag services in Sydney.
However, equipment tags for items used in high-risk environments have a set rotation of test and tag colours. Sydney clients in the demolition, construction, and mining industries are required to follow the RGBY system (Red, Green, Blue, Yellow). Technicians rotate test and tag colours during each quarter to indicate when the last test was completed and when the next service is due.
Sydney clients that require testing every 3 months under AS/NZS 3760:2022, follow this test and tag colour schedule:
| Months/Period | Tag Colour |
|---|---|
| December - February | Red |
| March - May | Green |
| June - August | Blue |
| September - November | Yellow |
This colour coding ensures that you can check which period the item was last inspected at a glance! Learn more about the test and tag colour codes we follow in Sydney here.
Why This Matters for Sydney Businesses
Being able to read a test tag means you can instantly identify whether equipment is still safe for use and up-to-date with testing. This not only protects workers and staff who use the devices, but also shows a commitment to workplace safety.
In Sydney’s busy commercial and industrial sectors, staying on top of testing and tagging keeps your business running smoothly, avoids costly penalties, and builds trust with your team and customers.
After Test and Tag services, The Local Guys will issue clients with a complete service report and Certificate of Compliance. These are essential safety records that you need to be able to show during audits, independent inspections, and insurance assessments.
How often should you test and tag electrical equipment?
In Sydney, the testing frequency changes depending on the type of environment your electrical equipment is used in:
- Mining, demolition, and construction sites: Every 3 months
- Factories, production sites, and warehouses: Every 6 months
- Offices, schools, and low-risk environments: Every 12 months
- Server rooms: Every 5 years
At The Local Guys, we personalise our testing and tagging service to meet your specific testing requirements based on AS/NZS 3760:2022. Whether you need regular inspections for extension cords, power tools, or other electrical equipment, our technicians will keep you compliant and safe!
Professional Test and Tag Services in Sydney
The Local Guys are your trusted local experts for test & tag in Sydney. Our technicians use advanced PAT machines (Portable Appliance Testers) and follow a strict testing and tagging process to ensure all electrical appliances meet Australian standards.
Our Sydney team provide:
- Complimentary Reminder Services: to keep Sydney businesses on track with their electrical safety testing and ensure no testing deadlines are overlooked
- Fully-licensed technicians who hold a Working with Children Check (WWCC), current Police Clearance, and a First Aid Certificate
- Peace of mind with $20,000,000 in Public Liability Insurance
We provide clients in the Sydney CBD and surrounding suburbs with affordable, reliable, and efficient electrical safety inspections.
Key Takeaways
You can check an electrical test tag for the most recent date of testing, the next service date, and the technician's contact details. Test tags come in a variety of colours in Sydney, but if you're in an industry that requires 3-monthly equipment testing, your test tag colours will rotate through red, green, blue and yellow each quarter. Plus, bright and attention-grabbing failed tags make it easy to avoid using unsafe equipment.
Now that you know what’s printed on a typical electrical tag, it will be easy to track Test and Tag service dates, keep your team safe, and stay compliant! Are you ready to book your next Test and Tag service in Sydney? Call The Local Guys today for a free, no-obligation quote!
