Metrotest has been in the electrical safety industry for several decades, and we have seen the good and the bad, and it is safe to say there is no shortage of test and tag companies now operating in Christchurch, like Metrotest. There are plenty of options to get someone to test your kettle or computer power supply, including Metrotest, so why us, Metrotest? It’s a fair question, and we’ll try to answer it without the sales patter!
A little background as usual: Metrotest has been testing and tagging in New Zealand since 1991 and was one of the first portable appliance testing specialists in the country. The on-site team comes to your business, whether that’s a CBD office, a Hornby workshop or a Rolleston facility, to inspect, test and tag your portable electrical equipment on the spot. An average item takes around three to four minutes, including the visual inspection, and it goes back exactly where it was found. Our team ensures the least possible disruption to your staff and worksite.
We aren’t a franchise
Metrotest is Kiwi-owned and operated, and it isn’t a franchise like some other suppliers. Why is this important? Well, it ensures you are getting consistency across the board with the quality we expect of our service for our clients – consistent process, consistent testing, and consistent results. We use our own Portable Appliance Testers that are calibrated and serviced in our own calibration division with a higher standard of calibration for our own portable appliance testers due to the thousands of tests being performed each week.
Compliant, or compliant and proven safe?
We get it – sometimes companies just want to tick a box but at Metrotest we really want to actually keep people electrically safe. Most testers used by test and tag companies only run a basic 200mA earth test, which mostly proves the earth is continuous. Ours do that test too, but where appropriate we also put a high current of 10A or 25A through the earth of a Class I item, which tests the integrity of the earth rather than just the continuity. If we find a shortfall in the standard, we’ll go for safe over just compliant. Class I, Class II, and non-permanent three-phase equipment are all covered. In certain industries such as cleaning, construction, or hire, we don’t see this as an option but rather as essential.
Tags that actually prove something
AS/NZS 3760:2022 requires a compliant tag to show the name of the person and entity who did the test, the test date, a retest date and a reference to the standard, and a month on its own isn’t a date. Our tags are colour coded and printed on site with a unique ID, full test and retest dates, the numerical test values, an audit code and a QR code. We buy tags hundreds of thousands at a time, so we like to think we know a bit about them. A QR code or an app on its own isn’t enough; the information has to be on the tag itself.
Records you can show an auditor
This is a biggy – and often test and tag companies will say they give records – key here though is are they auditable? Every test we do comes with full records separate from the tag, and our digital report has the unique ID, dates, numerical readings, and documented failures. In New Zealand, the standard requires a register of the equipment tested, and records should be kept for seven years or as your regulator requires. We also think recording the actual readings is the simplest proof that real testing took place, because a register that only says pass gives an investigator nothing to verify. If you want a quick check on any provider, ours included, ask who tested it, where the results are, and whether the retest date is actually on the tag – better yet, look at the tags themselves. No results on them? Ask yourself: could someone could have tagged it without ever testing it.
When something fails
A failed item gets a completely different DANGER DO NOT USE tag stating the reason, printed straight from the tester, plus a large label with the failure details with the reason for failure. We move the item to an agreed location if it can be moved, let people in the area know, and ask your designated person to sign off the failure. It’s a proper process rather than a red sticker and a shrug.
Trusted on sites that ask questions
Here in Canterbury we’re trusted by the University of Canterbury and Lincoln University, and we’ve worked on a defence site over several decades. Our staff are fully trained; many hold Electrical Registration, and they carry clearances for CAA-regulated facilities, Defence premises and Police, and meet programmes such as SiteWise and Site Safe.
Transparent Pricing
Call us on 0800 638 768 or use the enquiry form and we’ll usually reply the same business day. Tell us your location, roughly how many items and what types, and an estimate is fine. We offer competitive pricing, which is often cheaper than other large suppliers while getting more value for the price. Got a budget in mind? Talk to us today and we are happy to discuss how we can work within your timeframes and budget.
Summing Up:
Probably our best feature is that the people testing your equipment also make, calibrate and repair the testers, so there’s very little between the instrument and your workshop. Add the earth integrity testing, the detailed tags and the numerical records, and you’re getting a lot more than a quick walk round with a clipboard. The flip side is that we’re a proper service rather than the cheapest sticker in town, so if you only need a handful of items done there may be quicker options, and it’s always worth comparing quotes.
FAQ Questions?
Q Does it comply with AS/NZS 3760:2022?
A Yes, every item is assessed to it, with a visual inspection and electrical testing, and our tags carry the information the standard calls for.
Q Can I prove the testing actually happened?
A Yes, you get full records with numerical test values, dates and tester details, along with a digital report. Remember, if they say they offer records, do they include numerical values?
Q Will it disrupt our work?
A No, we test on the spot, bring the testers, printers and tags, work around your business hours and leave the space as we found it.
Q Do you do work outside normal hours?
Yes, we can arrange this and do so for customers who can’t afford to have plant down or bring it onto a site for testing during regular hours.
If you’d like a quote, get in touch with our test and tag Christchurch team or give us a call on 0800 638 768.
As always stay safe everyone.
The Metrotest team
