Safety Switch (RCD) TESTING

A Residual Current Device (RCD), also known as a Safety Switch is a device located in the distribution boards of some sites. Just like your Portable Appliances, Occupational Health & Safety Act 2000 and Occupational Health & Safety Regulation 2001 requires that you test your RCDs to ensure that they are working correctly. They are generally connected to power circuits and more recently lighting circuits as well.
As these are a life saving device, these must be tested periodically to ensure that they will operate when most needed. From our experience we find that RCD's have a tendency to freeze up when not operated for a period of time. This is why manufacture's put a self testing button on each RCD as well "Press to test monthly "text beside this button as they are aware of the importance of this procedure.
The Australian Standards require that a trip test is performed using the correct equipment as well as capturing the data to indicate compliancy to this standard. As part of our testing procedure, ATTS Facilities Maintenance will test your RCDs and perform data capture to the Australian Standard AS/NZS 3760.2010 and issue a compliancy certification for your records as well as maintain records on your behalf for at least the next 7 years.
Recent legislation (which can be found on this website under RCD legislation) has recently been introduced that requires all employers, business, building owners & landlords etc to ensure that all power outlets are now protected by safety switch's (RCD's) and employees are working in a safe environment. Severe penalties will apply if injury or death occurs due to neglect of these obligations.
ATTS employees will perform all the necessary tests to comply with the above standards as well as do a survey on all switchboards to ascertain that all power points are protected.
These devices are designed to save lives. If you have gone to the effort to have these live saving devices installed in your workplace it only makes sense to ensure they work!

