Electrical testing requirements
All electricians must test new and additional wiring work regardless of its size and extent. The person who carries out the wiring work must ensure the whole final sub-circuit is tested if a portion of an existing circuit is modified. The test must be carried out at the switchboard from which the final sub circuit originates.
The installation must comply with the wiring rules AS/NZS 3000:2007 and be tested in accordance with AS/NZS 3017. Report all work to ACTPLA within 14 days of completion with a Certificate of Electrical Safety (CES). The testing electrician is to give the owner of the installation a copy of the CES. All work must be tested including adding or changing a socket outlet, light switch or repair to an installation, no matter how small the job is perceived to be.
Recent incidents reported to ACTPLA electrical safety inspection staff indicate a trade practice of believing that the installation is too small and too price competitive to spend time testing. Another misconception is that mistakes on minor work are never made to justify testing single or several socket outlets. Remember, if you do not self-test, you may create an electrical danger. A serious incident where harm is caused may lead to a careless electrician's unsafe work practices being investigated by the coroner’s office.
