What is the AS/NZS 3551?
Welcome to Metrotest’s AS/NZS 3551 Initial Course. If you are attending this course, you will have already done your initial AS/NZS3760 test and tag training course. This course is designed to make sure you are correctly and competently carrying out testing of Medical equipment. This course also has an emphasis on only Appendix B of the AS/NZS3551, which deals with the inspection and testing of electrical appliances. We will not be covering any other partS of the standard, only Appendix B.
The main Standard that deals with the in-service testing of medical electrical safety of portable appliances is the AS/NZS 3551.
In New Zealand, electrical inspection and testing, as described in AS/NZS 3551: 2012, AS/NZS 3760: 2010/2022 and some others, is not a ‘prescribed electrical activity’, so you do not need to hold any electrical registration. In most States in Australia, there is no requirement for electrical qualifications other than being ‘competent’.
The aim of this training is to make you competent to test the equipment you need to test (not to make you competent to test everything). If you will be doing a lot of testing in accordance to the AS/NZS 3551: 2012, we encourage you to get a copy of the standard and have a read of Appendix B for yourself. You can find the standard for purchase in the link below:
Some of the medical equipment that you may test, or come across that needs testing could include:
- Medical moveable hoists
- Electric adjustable beds/bed frames
- Mattress pumps Air concentrator
- Extension leads
- Power supplies and chargers
We will be covering these items throughout the course with video demonstrations of each to help you familiarise yourself with the testing of medical equipment.