Power quality problems are estimated to cost industry an estimated $xxxx per year. Varying loads are connected to modern electrical networks and these, along with power quality faults can have wide reaching effects on electrical systems. The whole purpose of the electrical system is to support the loads connected to it and when it fails to do that properly, devices can trip, cabling and infrastructure can overheat and cause major failures to the electrical network, due to the inability to support the load.

In recent months we have been getting high numbers of enquiries from contractors, some from large corporations, and some from much smaller businesses regarding the recent changes to Telstra Plant Locator Accreditation. Previously it was a case of attending a course, being signed off as competent and being Telstra accredited.

Modern moisture meters have come a long way in the last few years, from the analogue moisture meters that used to be placed onto a material or wall and have the needle indicate whether something was dry or wet. Today’s moisture meters are sleek, accurate and easy to use products which give excellent results and are far more accurate than the moisture meters of old.

With so many test and tag machines available, all professing to be the best in class, we thought that we would shed some light on this matter. Make no mistake, test and tag is a big thing in Australia and New Zealand with Australian Standards, mainly AS/NZS3760 setting out the requirements for how it is performed to best practice. Test and tag machines, sometimes called Portable Appliance Testers, or PAT Testers in different parts of the world should always meet the relevant Australian Standards, and be capable of performing tests to AS/NZS3760.