Anger Management wrote:
Access to Standards is Via Subscription.. Some can be had via file sharing apps, but often out of date and not the one you need. As I recall, they send via an encrypted pdf that allows the purchaser to PRINT and then the PDF becomes unusable/readable. I once got them directly and would remove the protection, but these days the Standards/Quality people get them print them and then del the file. As to what I would recommend; again what is your scope of work.. Remember RCD's and Earth leakage need different test equipment as well. As a base level a PAT 2000i , Manual Insulation tester (100V to 1000V ), 3.5 digit DVM True RMS, RCD Testers - Specialised Medical testers for Medical devices (Earth leakage - very low current), Test fingers etc etc. I will contact my old staff and see what they are using today.
Actually one thing that really P's me off is standards everyone is expected to conform to, or directly affected by, that are only available to purchase. Australia is bad for this, but not by any means unique. More and more, there are excerpts and misquotes available for free, but the original document is sometimes only available to a select few. As to scope of work, plan is to do the one day course and buy a relatively entry level tester that can be used for such things as grooming clippers, dryers and RCDs. IF there is sufficient money to be had, then expand to do private and micro business testing of appliances. No repair. No mission critical equipment. No large scale facilities. I do not intend to compete with the real low level cost-cutters as that affects ability to deliver quality service. I can't see how anyone can make money at $2.50 a tag. Plenty people will pay a premium for convenience and someone that listens to their requirements. As I have experience in the pet care industry, it makes sense to initially target fellow franchisees that have recently been told they must get all equipment tagged and potentially other local pet stores and grooming parlours. If viable, I would then deliver advice on general risk management, but would need to develop additional skills and templates if I was to charge for advice. Even though I can teach myself to use an appliance tester, and quite possibly justify my competence, it is worth the small expense for the cost and potential benefit of a one day course. I imagine a lot of the material would be boring and trivial as part of the target audience are ignorant of electricity and testing protocols. Even if one or two items came up and they supplied a copy AS/NZS3760, it would be worth it., to avoid any potential issues later. And incidentally, electrical safety is not really that big a deal in my environment - I frequently have 50KG+ dogs with big/sharp teeth and that is a significantly greater risk. Test and tag is a very minor part of the picture, but low entry cost to set up and then get someone else to cover my costs by using the equipment to test other peoples appliances
