Test Equipment
integrity of the testing being undertaken. The initial demand for in service electrical appliance testers was met largely by the availability of two distinct types of tester. At the basic level there were relatively simple to operate pass/fail checkers capable of carrying out fundamental tests and providing an immediate ‘go/no go’ display. For more demanding PAT applications, particularly in larger organisations, more sophisticated testers were available that incorporated a greater range of tests and had the ability to store and download test data into PC based record keeping systems. Over the years these broad distinctions
between manual and automatic testers have remained apparent, but the obvious differentiation between the two is closing. All PATs have much greater functionality with the ability to link to specialist accessories for more comprehensive testing. In addition, to extend the performance of
entry level manual testers, a specialist new mobile PAT App provides easy access to a host of special test data handling options, as well as barcode scanning, label printing, photo tagging and other complementary test functions. Overall, these moves to increase the capability, versatility and functionality of PAT testers have been driven by both technical testing needs and the requirements of an expanding but relatively mature marketplace. As successive IET Codes of Practice have highlighted the benefits of different types of electrical test, then PAT test manufacturers have responded by including, for example, the necessary technology to test appliance leads and 3 phase equipment, test RCD trip times, provide different options for insulation test voltages and utilise specialist test currents for earth continuity testing. Alongside these changing technical demands, recognition of the growing maturity of the PAT market has also been the driver of innovation. For the modern PAT tester, time is money and competitive pressures mean that tests must be undertaken quickly and efficiently, but without in any way affecting the accuracy and reliability of the test results. To meet this need a whole host of special
features and PAT accessories have been introduced. The introduction of barcode labelling of products with automatic recognition of test protocols by the test
instrument was an early development, and this was followed by the introduction of Bluetooth connectivity with test accessories such as label printers to speed the test process. Lightweight, battery powered testers have
further improved portability factors and reduced the downtime between tests. Improvements in test management software has allowed records to be updated automatically, reports and certificates to be produced and advance test schedules to be generated. In the latest generation Apollo PATs all of these advances have been combined to both meet the updated technical requirements of the IET Code of Practice and comply with the risk-based approach emphasised by the HSE. As well as comprehensive electrical test
functions, the most advanced multi- purpose PAT tester is now
equipped with an onboard risk management tool to help determine re-test intervals. This feature is included alongside a
As well as comprehensive electrical test functions, the most advanced multi-purpose PAT tester is now equipped with an onboard risk management tool to help determine re-test intervals. This feature is
included alongside a built-in digital camera to enable high quality images to be tagged against appliance records for completely traceable electrical safety record keeping and maintenance.
www.ewnews.co.uk August 2015 electrical wholesaler | 21
built-in digital camera to enable high quality images to be tagged against appliance records for completely traceable electrical safety record keeping and maintenance. Few could dispute that the process of
electrical inspection and testing has made an important contribution to improving and maintaining safety in the workplace. Against this background, continuous test innovation, with a common sense approach at the centre of technology improvements, means that adequate electrical safety measures can be effectively maintained in all workplaces without the imposition of an overly excessive test regime. A special White Paper, ‘the Preventative Role
of Portable Appliance Testing – 25 years of the Electricity At Work Regulations 1989’, is available as a free download from the website below.
www.seaward.co.uk/eawr25
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