What are RCD’s?
AS/NZS 3760:2022 specifies the “trip time” a RCD must switch off the power to the circuit. Regular “trip time” testing ensures the RCD continues to operate within Australian Standards.
A RCD continuously monitors the electric current that travels through the RCD protected circuit. As soon as the RCD detects a leakage to earth in the electric current on the RCD protected circuit (as an example, when a person touches a live part), the RCD “trips” and shuts off the power to the circuit. Quickly shutting off power to the circuit significantly decreases the severity of injury or death.
It is therefore very important a RCD “trips” quickly to switch off the power to the circuit and the individual. The process of testing a RCD simulates a leakage to earth, and measures the “trip time” or the time taken for the RCD to shut off the power to the circuit.
RCD Testing Regulations
A fixed RCD is a RCD that is installed on each circuit in your switchboard. It is identified as a RCD and not a circuit breaker by the TEST button.
A correctly functioning RCD is a device that can save your life in the event of an electrical incident. Like any mechanical device, faults do occur that may render the RCD inoperable, so it is important to ensure your RCD functions correctly at regular intervals.
Workplace Health and Safety Regulations and Electrical Safety Regulations specify the frequency that RCD’s are required to be inspected and tested for functionality. A summary of the retest time frames as stipulated in the regulations is detailed below.
Fixed RCD Testing Retest Time Frames
| Hostile Environment | Hostile Environment | Non Hostile Environment | Non Hostile Environment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State | Push Button Test | Operating “Trip Time” Test | Push Button Test | Operating “Trip Time” Test |
| New South Wales | 6 monthly | 12 monthly | 6 monthly | 2 yearly |
| Victoria | 6 monthly | 12 monthly | 6 monthly | 2 yearly |
| Australian Capital Territory | 6 monthly | 12 monthly | 6 monthly | 2 yearly |
| Western Australia | 6 monthly | 12 monthly | 6 monthly | 2 yearly |
| South Australia | 6 monthly | 12 monthly | 6 monthly | 2 yearly |
| Northern Territory | 6 monthly | 12 monthly | 6 monthly | 2 yearly |
| Tasmania | 6 monthly | 12 monthly | 6 monthly | 2 yearly |
Source: AS/NZS 3760:2022 and State Specific WHS Regulations
| Queensland Class of Work | Push Button Test | Operating “Trip Time” Test |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | Monthly | 12 monthly |
| Manufacturing | 6 monthly | 12 monthly |
| Office Work | 6 monthly | 2 yearly |
| Service Work | 6 monthly | 12 monthly |
| Amusement Work | 3 monthly | 6 monthly |
Source: QLD Electrical Safety Regulations 2013
State Specific RCD Testing Regulations
The harmonised WHS Regulations are applicable in NSW, ACT, TAS, SA, WA and NT. The QLD Electrical Safety regulations take precedence in the area of RCD testing, and VIC have no intention of implementing the harmonised WHS regulations.
Click the links below to take you to the relevant state government legislation.
NSW WHS Regulations 2017
VIC Worksafe – 12 Ways to Make Small Business Safer
ACT Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011
TAS Workplace Health and Safety Regulations 2012
SA Work Health and Safety Regulations 2012
WA Workplace Health and Safety Regulations 2022
NT Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011
QLD Electrical Safety Regulations 2013
RCD Testing Reporting Requirements
To satisfy the requirement for a record of formal inspection and tests, a record of the RCD trip times should be retained rather than a simple Pass/Fail report.
AS/NZS 3760:2022 specifies the documented reporting requirements following RCD testing.
- Name of the person or company who performed the test
- The test date and the next test date
- A register of all equipment
- A record of formal inspection and tests
- A repair register
- A record of all failed items showing details of services or corrective actions
- A reference to AS/NZS 3760
How are RCD’s Tested?
There are currently 3 methods for testing Fixed RCD’s installed in workplace switchboards.
- Electrician at a live switchboard
- Technician at a power point
- Rapid Test installed in a switchboard
An electrician has developed the skills and capability to simulate a leakage to earth at a live switchboard to trip the RCD. A RCD tester is used at the switchboard to measure the trip time. This method is relatively quick, but there are inherent dangers that must be considered as the electrician must work on a live switchboard.
A competent technician will simulate the leakage to earth from a power point (GPO) on an electrical circuit. A RCD tester is used at the power point (GPO) to measure the trip time. This method is very safe, however is slower than an electrician testing at a live switchboard. A competent technician cannot test lighting RCD’s using this method.
Once Rapid Test is installed in a switchboard, using the tablet application any member of your team can test both the power and lighting RCD’s. There is no need for an external RCD tester, no need to identify circuits, and no need to access a live switchboard. This method is the fastest and safest method.
Rapid Test Key Benefits
Testing RCD’s with Rapid Test is up to 180 times faster than you might be having them tested currently!
Electrician / Technician not required
Once Rapid Test is installed in your switchboard by a licensed electrician, anyone in your organisation can safely test your RCD's using the Rapid Test System saving considerable contractor costs.
Safely test RCD's
By using the Rapid Test System, an electrician is not required to work on a live switchboard to test RCD's. Live works are inherently dangerous and are prohibited in some States in Australia.
Quickly test RCD's
A technician testing RCD's by simulating a fault at a power point is a slow and cumbersome process that causes considerable downtime. Rapid Test will test your RCD's up to 180 times faster than a technician.
Automated test data collection
Documentation of your RCD testing regime is vital. Standard hand written reports are slow to prepare and can be illegible. The Rapid Test system collects all test data during the testing process and uploads to the cloud automatically.
Automated compliance reporting
We know you don't want to manage your compliance reports; so we do it for you in our secure reporting portal. All compliance reports are available online from any internet enabled computer 24/7.
Massive cost saving
Traditionally, labour costs made up the majority of your RCD testing annual spend. The Rapid Test system can be operated safely and quickly by your internal staff to reduce contractor labour costs.
Download the app today
The Rapid Test Systems app is available for Windows, Android and iOS.
Please download from your relevant App store.
How to use the reporting app
The ability to quickly and easily generate testing reports and compliance certificates will provide you and your staff with piece of mind you are satisfying your workplace safety obligations.
The Rapid Test Portal gives you the ability to manage all aspects of your compliance reporting, with a variety of subscription levels to the Rapid Test Portal to suit your individual needs.
Supervisor, Fixed Plant Maintenance
Mining Sector Western Australia
We had arc flash concerns with standard RCD testing processes. This eliminates those concerns and we are now looking at a 80% cost reduction per year.
DATA SUBSCRIPTION PLANS & PRICING
Recording and communicating your regular RCD testing as part of your overall WHS compliance management quickly and easily is essential. Rapid Test offer subscription and reporting levels tiered to suit business operations large and small
-
Bronze
FREE SUBSCRIPTION TRIAL
-
Silver
AUD $ 100 /yr -
Gold
AUD $ 500 /yr -
Platinum
AUD $ 1000 /yr
DATA SUBSCRIPTION PLANS & PRICINGRecording and communicating your regular RCD testing as part of your overall WHS compliance management quickly and easily is essential. Rapid Test offer subscription and reporting levels tiered to suit business operations large and small |
Bronze |
Silver |
Gold |
Platinum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yearly price | FREE SUBSCRIPTION TRIAL |
AUD
$
100
/yr
|
AUD
$
500
/yr
|
AUD
$
1000
/yr
|
| Single user access to view RCD Testing Data for one switchboard. | 5 user access to view, generate and export RCD testing reports for up to 10 switchboards. | 25 user access to view, generate and export RCD testing reports for up to 50 switchboards. | Unlimited access to the Rapid Test RCD testing portal to view, generate and export testing reports for an unlimited number of switchboards across an unlimited number of sites and businesses. |
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