Testing Extension Leads and Multiboxes
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Extension leads and multiboxes are a common occurrence in any work place including medical facilities and are often the most common piece of equipment that will fail. Its important to carry out each step in the testing process correctly, especially the visual inspection. Please read through the testing procedure below carefully.
| 1. Visual Inspection |
Many faults can be found in extension leads by running the lead through your hands –ensure that the lead is first disconnected from the supply and start at the male plug end.
| 2. EARTH BOND TEST and INSULATION TEST need to be done. |
As the wander lead cannot be fitted to these items we must plug an adapter lead into the female outlet of the lead or multibox/powerboard and plug the other end of the adapter cord into the cord test socket on the MetroIPAT.
A 500 VOLT INSULATION TEST should be performed. The minimum Insulation Resistance = 10 Megohm. The preferred test is the insulation resistance test.
AS/NZS 3760
| Earth Bond | 1.0 Ω |
| Insulation | 1M Ω |
AS/NZS 3551
| Earth Bond | 0.2Ω |
| Insulation | 10MΩ |
NOTE a multibox or extension lead with multiple outlets must have each outlet tested individually.
| 3. Polarity Testing of Leads |
It is a requirement that the polarity of leads be tested for equipment with rewireable plugs. ENSURE you enter the appropriate Code or Test to be done in the MetroIPAT to ensure a Polarity Test is done.
