What is the correct procedure for electrical isolation?

The standard electrical isolation procedure follows these steps: (1) Identify the circuit or equipment to be isolated and all isolation points, (2) Notify all affected personnel, (3) Switch off and isolate at the isolation point (circuit breaker, isolator switch, fuse removal), (4) Apply personal lock and danger tag to each isolation point, (5) Prove dead, test for absence of voltage at the point of work using a calibrated voltage tester (test the tester on a known live source before and after testing the isolated circuit), (6) Apply earths where required (high-voltage work), (7) Issue the permit to work, (8) Perform the work, (9) De-isolate in reverse order after confirming all personnel are clear and the work is complete.

What Australian standards apply to electrical isolation?

Key standards include AS/NZS 4836 (Safe working on or near low-voltage electrical installations and equipment), AS/NZS 3000 (Electrical installations, Wiring Rules), and AS 2790 (Electricity supply, protection of cables from mechanical damage). State-based electrical safety legislation also applies. Under these standards, only authorised and competent persons may perform electrical isolation. Personal locks must be applied by the person performing the work, not by a supervisor or colleague. A voltage tester must be used to prove dead before work begins, and the tester must be proven on a known live source before and after the test.

Is the template free to use without MapTrack?

Yes. Download and use the electrical isolation checklist for free. Print → Save as PDF. No MapTrack account required. If you later want digital isolation permits with QR code scanning, electronic sign-on and audit trails, we’d be happy to show you MapTrack.

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Free electrical isolation checklist

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An electrical isolation checklist is used to verify that electrical equipment or circuits have been safely de-energised, locked out and tagged before maintenance, testing or repair work begins. This page explains what to include, the correct isolation procedure, and offers a free PDF-ready form you can download and use straight away. No sign-up required.

Last updated: 2026-04-10 · MapTrack

Jarrod Milford

Commercial Director

Updated 10 April 2026

How to use: Fill isolation details → record all isolation points → complete pre-work checks → prove dead (voltage testing) → complete work → de-isolate → sign off → save as PDF (Print → Save as PDF in your browser).

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✓ Covers isolation procedure, lock/tag, voltage testing, permit-to-work and de-isolation
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What is an electrical isolation checklist?

An electrical isolation checklist is a structured form used to verify that electrical equipment or circuits have been safely isolated, de-energised, locked out and tagged before maintenance, testing or repair work begins. It records each isolation point, the method of isolation (switching, fuse removal, link removal), lock and tag details, voltage testing results (proving dead) and the authorised personnel involved. Under AS/NZS 4836 (Safe working on or near low-voltage electrical installations), electrical isolation is required before any work on or near electrical equipment where there is a risk of contact with live parts. The checklist also documents the de-isolation procedure to ensure circuits are safely re-energised when the work is complete.

Benefits of using an electrical isolation checklist

Electrical safety: systematic verification that circuits are de-energised before work prevents electrocution and arc flash incidents.
AS/NZS 4836 compliance: meets Australian requirements for safe working on or near electrical installations.
Prove-dead verification: mandatory voltage testing step confirms absence of voltage at the point of work.
Lock and tag accountability: records who applied each lock and tag, creating personal accountability for each isolation point.
Communication: ensures all affected personnel are notified before isolation and de-isolation.
Audit trail: completed checklists provide documented evidence for electrical safety audits and incident investigations.

Benefits of digitising forms in MapTrack

When you move from paper or static PDFs to digital forms in MapTrack, you get:

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Automatically get alerts when faults are identified.
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Ability to share forms digitally.
Build conditional logic (show or hide questions based on answers).
Take pictures or attach photos - not possible with a paper-based form.
Electronic signatures.
Edit forms later without reprinting.
Restrict permissions (who can view, complete or approve).
Build forms with AI (describe what you need and MapTrack suggests the form).

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What to include in an electrical isolation checklist

Our free electrical isolation checklist includes:

Equipment/circuit details: description, asset ID, location, voltage rating.
Isolation points: list each isolation point (switchboard, circuit breaker, isolator, fuse).
Isolation method: switching, fuse removal, link removal, earth applied.
Lock and tag details: lock number, tag number, person who applied, date/time.
Voltage test: tester ID, calibration date, test on known live source (before), test at point of work (absence of voltage confirmed), test on known live source (after).
Permit details: permit number, issuing authority.
Personnel: isolating person, responsible person, all workers under the isolation.
De-isolation: all locks removed, all tags removed, all personnel clear, circuit re-energised, tested operational.
Signatures: isolating person, responsible person.

How to use the electrical isolation checklist

Identify the circuit or equipment and all isolation points - check drawings and verify.
Notify all affected personnel of the planned isolation.
Isolate at each point - switch off, remove fuses, open isolators as required.
Apply personal lock and danger tag to each isolation point - record on the checklist.
Prove dead using a calibrated voltage tester - test the tester before and after.
Complete the work, then de-isolate in reverse order after confirming all personnel are clear.

In MapTrack, you can build digital electrical isolation permits, attach photo evidence of lock and tag placement, trigger automatic alerts and maintain a complete isolation register, all linked to the relevant asset. Book a demo to see how.

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When to use electrical isolation

Electrical isolation must be performed before any work on or near electrical equipment where there is a risk of contact with live parts. This includes maintenance, repair, testing, cleaning, painting, and any work within the exclusion zone of live electrical equipment. Isolation is also required before mechanical work on equipment that could be unexpectedly energised. A new isolation checklist should be completed for each isolation event - never rely on a previous isolation without re-verifying.

Frequently asked questions

What is an electrical isolation checklist?: An electrical isolation checklist is a structured form used to verify that electrical equipment or circuits have been safely isolated, de-energised, locked out and tagged before maintenance, testing or repair work begins. It records the isolation points, the method of isolation (switching, fuse removal, link removal), lock and tag details, voltage testing (proving dead), and the authorised personnel involved. Under AS/NZS 4836 (Safe working on or near low-voltage electrical installations), electrical isolation is required before any work on or near electrical equipment where there is a risk of contact with live parts.
What is the correct procedure for electrical isolation?: The standard electrical isolation procedure follows these steps: (1) Identify the circuit or equipment to be isolated and all isolation points, (2) Notify all affected personnel, (3) Switch off and isolate at the isolation point (circuit breaker, isolator switch, fuse removal), (4) Apply personal lock and danger tag to each isolation point, (5) Prove dead, test for absence of voltage at the point of work using a calibrated voltage tester (test the tester on a known live source before and after testing the isolated circuit), (6) Apply earths where required (high-voltage work), (7) Issue the permit to work, (8) Perform the work, (9) De-isolate in reverse order after confirming all personnel are clear and the work is complete.
What Australian standards apply to electrical isolation?: Key standards include AS/NZS 4836 (Safe working on or near low-voltage electrical installations and equipment), AS/NZS 3000 (Electrical installations, Wiring Rules), and AS 2790 (Electricity supply, protection of cables from mechanical damage). State-based electrical safety legislation also applies. Under these standards, only authorised and competent persons may perform electrical isolation. Personal locks must be applied by the person performing the work, not by a supervisor or colleague. A voltage tester must be used to prove dead before work begins, and the tester must be proven on a known live source before and after the test.
Is the template free to use without MapTrack?: Yes. Download and use the electrical isolation checklist for free. Print → Save as PDF. No MapTrack account required. If you later want digital isolation permits with QR code scanning, electronic sign-on and audit trails, we’d be happy to show you MapTrack.

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Digitise your electrical isolation process in MapTrack. Workers scan the asset QR code, complete the checklist on mobile, and the isolation permit is stored against the asset with a full audit trail.

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Compliance · Forms & checklists · Templates · Industries/Electrical