Login
Print Small Text Large Text
Emergencies: Find out more
Online services

You are here: Home / For Consumers / Appliances and equipment / Electricity

Electrical appliances and equipment

All approved electrical appliances have a regulatory compliance mark or unique approval number.

Approval markings can vary between states but typically it is an alphanumeric code comprising the first letter of the state that issued the approval followed by between one and six digits. 

  

If you are unsure if a product is approved, ask the store manager or you can click HERE to see the status of all Victorian approvals. 

It is illegal to sell unapproved electrical products and outlets selling them face fines of almost $5000 for individuals and $24,000 for companies.

The public can report the sale of unapproved electrical products by phoning ESV on 9203 9700 or 1800 800 158.


Damaged or ageing electrical equipment

It is important that you don't use electrical equipment that is damaged or ageing electrical equipment. Watch ESV's TV commercial here:

 

 

Circuit breaker versus safety switch

Safety switches are often confused with circuit breakers and surge diverters. As such, its imperative to understand the differences -

  • Surge diverters protect the property from voltage surges such as those resulting from a lightning strike. The surge diverter captures the voltage spikes in the wiring within the unit itself that would otherwise be transferred into the equipment within the property. Click here to view Surge diverter.
  • Surge diverters do not act as a safety switch for personal protection against electric shock.
  • Circuit breakers provide short-circuit and overcurrent protection such as when a power point is overloaded. Click here to view Circuit breaker.
  • Circuit breakers do not act as a safety switch for personal protection against electric shock.
  • Safety switches monitor the flow of electricity through a circuit and detect a problem that may pose a risk to personal safety and turn the power off within 0.03 of a second. Click here to view Safety Switch.
  • Always remember, safety switches are not a substitute for common sense!

Safety switches always have a test button and have 30ma written on them. They are also sometimes labelled with the words "safety switch".

If you are unsure whether you have a safety switch installed, contact a registered electrical contractor.

 


Secondhand equipment safety tips

Purchasers of secondhand electrical equipment should take note of the general advice on how to use second-hand household electrical appliances safely.