• • • CASE STUDY • • •
HAL makes light work of electrical safety testing at Pacific
Investment in production and testing expertise from Seaward is helping an importer and distributor of domestic lighting ensure products supplied to trade customers across the UK work safely
uddersfield-based Pacific, which is quality assured by the Lighting Industry Association, has been involved in the design and import of a wide range of lighting among other household products for over 50 years. This includes contemporary table and floor lamps, walls lights and outdoor lighting. After investing in a HAL LED, the firm has been working closely with Seaward to develop an effective regime to secure optimum electrical test performance, improving both the speed and accuracy of product safety checks carried out by the quality and safety compliance department. The development reflects the additional benefits Seaward brings to customer service, said Didi Prakova, Pacific’s technologist responsible for electrical safety testing. Ms Prakova added: “Working closely with Seaward, we have been able to implement improved testing processes and understand fully the set-up of the HAL and the capabilities it offers.
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“We now have seven trained people across the department, who have been able to take advantage of Seaward’s production expertise to create a safer, far more efficient and, importantly, bespoke process that meets our current and expected future testing needs. “Moreover, it now only takes us 15 seconds on average to complete a full product electrical safety test cycle, which is easily done at the press of a button. This is a major step forward thanks to firm’s input and a significant benefit to our distribution operations, particularly when product demand is high.” Products are fully tested at Pacific’s purpose-built facility using the HAL, verifying the safety of lights imported from Southeast Asia before they are distributed to trade wholesalers across the UK. This includes batch-testing of current ranges as part of quality control procedures along with 100% checking of all new product introductions.
The tester is used to check products for signs of electrical leakage, secure wiring and that internal integrity has been maintained. It can also provide power measurement readings with a resolution of 0.2VA below 1000VA and performs continuity and ground/earth bond tests alongside AC/DC Hipot (FLASH/Dielectric Strength). Function testing is also undertaken to check units effectively switch on/off and perform correctly at the required power consumption levels and that any ancillary equipment operates in accordance with technical specifications. Test results are stored automatically by the HAL, providing full traceability, which ensures all products are proven to be quality assured before leaving Pacific’s premises. Ms Prakova and her team can use this data to maintain a test record for all units in the event of any damage during distribution, or to track and trace any product returns – in line with company customer service policies. She added: “The HAL is a good product that we like to use, offering a good level of feedback and extensive capabilities. It’s easy-to use, delivering more effective testing and providing the reassurance that units leaving our site are 100% safe-to-use and will operate as required.” The HAL delivers better resolution when testing low power products compared to the other safety testers, ensuring improved accuracy of measurement and quality control standards during manufacturing. Companies like Pacific are benefiting from Seaward’s production expertise to complete end-of-line tests with the additional benefit of functionality testing of the operation of the equipment. This ensures that product is not only safe but benefits from consistent quality control throughout the supply chain. The HAL combines the performance of a multi-function production line safety tester with power measurement for product energy consumption. The tester can be integrated into automated manufacturing systems with selectable sensors and can be controlled using a PC, either using Seawards own software solution or by means of a command protocol. A large graphic display presents information either in a numerical or analogue format while a powerful internal memory allows the storage of up to 6,000 test results and up to 50 configurable test routines. The instrument can also be interfaced with a variety of accessories, to improve both safe working and efficiency, including bar code scanners and safety warning beacons.
electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • MARCH 2023 41
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