Safety Testing and Calibration
Please see below some common questions we have been asked over the years. If you have more specific questions, please use the contact page to discuss with one of our friendly staff.
Who should have Equipment tested to AS3551?
Any organisation or individual providing medical diagnosis. treatment or monitoring. This includes:
What equipment needs to be tested?
Any electrical equipment that is used to diagnose, treat or monitor a patient must he tested. Examples of such appliances would be:
What is involved in testing Medical Electrical Appliances?
A range of test procedures for equipment used in medical situations is detailed in Australian Standard 3551. These tests involve a check on the physical condition of the apparatus as well as the integrity of earthing and insulation to ensure that there is no risk of harm to patients or operators.
How long do the tests take?
It takes longer to test some types of equipment than others. A simple double-insulated appliance can normally be tested in about 10 minutes. An ECG may take 15 minutes.
Are the services offered by BCS Testing suitable for accreditation purposes?
Because the testing procedures we use conform to AS3551. they will meet the requirements of Australian accreditation programmes. AS355I provides tests for electrical safety and performance verification.
Why do medical appliances need clear top plugs?
Each time an appliance is tested, the connections to the mains cord must be checked to make sure that the wires go to the correct pins of the 3-pin plug. To avoid dismantling the plug each time, either transparent top plugs or moulded (non re-wireable) plugs are used.
How often are tests required?
AS355I recommends testing of appliances at intervals of between 3 and 12 months, depending on the environment in which they are used. In General Practices and Physiotherapy Clinics an interval of 12 months between tests is usually acceptable. however, in some situations, 6 monthly testing may be advised.
What is the difference between Medical Electrical Safety Testing and safety testing of other appliances?
The testing requirements for medical electrical appliances under AS355I are more stringent and extensive than for appliances in general use. General appliance testing is insufficient for fulfilling the obligations for medical practices.
