Test and Tag Colour Guide

It’s that time of year when we like to give our refresher course on all the great work we do here at Jim’s Test & Tag. We’ve put together this handy test and tag colour guide to help you decode any inspection tags you may find attached to your devices.

In case you missed it, be sure to take a look at our popular introduction and be sure to get in touch if you have any further questions about what we do.

Why are electrical test tags coloured?

In some environments, the inspection provider must attach a coloured tag. This is a requirement under some New Zealand safety standards. In other cases, a technician may choose to colour code their tags as a part of their personal inspection process. It is a visual indicator of the interval that will pass before your appliance should be retested. It can also indicate at what time of the year your appliance has been inspected.

A little bit confusing? Let’s clarify.

Coloured Test and Tag Requirements

Our technicians inspect and tag items according to the AS/NZS 3760:2010 standard for the in-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment. Under this standard, there are no specific requirements for technicians regarding coloured tags. There are, however, requirements for construction and demolition sites.

The AS/NZS 3012:2010 requires all equipment to be tested every three months. After that, a coloured tag needs to be attached. This tag will correspond with the time of the year so technicians can easily see if the three-monthly period has expired.

The test and tag colours requirements are as follows:

December to January (summer) = Red
March to May (autumn) = Green
June to August (winter) = Blue
September to November (spring) = Yellow

Again, these colours apply to construction and demolition sites only. If you find a coloured tag in any other environment, the interval will be determined by whatever system your technician is using. For a general guideline to the coloured tags, take a look at our first article.

Knowing Electrical Tags Colours

At Jim’s Test &Tag, we ensure that every technician receives the highest training. This means that every one of our team members are fully briefed on the test and tag colour requirements for construction, mining, and demolition sites. We stay up to date with any changes to the national safety standards to ensure you receive the best quality service. Knowing the meaning behind the tag colours can be helpful if you are a client. It can give you peace of mind knowing that a coloured tag can be a good reminder that your next test is due.

At Jim’s Test & Tag, we have a free reminder service that notifies you when your next test date is approaching. Our highly organised technicians have both the visual and technological cues in place to make sure you never miss a test appointment.

Stay compliant and stay safe with Jim’s Test & Tag.