WORLD OF TEST


TEST KIT FOR SOLAR CELL INSTALLATION


A kit is now available which provides all the equipment and accessories necessary to test photovoltaic cell installations. The Seaward PV150 Solar


Installation Tester allows electrical safety and performance verification of photovoltaic installations in a safe and easy-to-use device. The PV150 combines ground


continuity, DC operating power and operating current test functions in a hand-held device. It can also test insulation resistance, open circuit voltage and short circuit current. Capable of providing multiple


test functions, the device can wirelessly capture and record real time irradiance, ambient temperature and PV module temperature and can safely test energised arrays. It can measure ground


continuity with test lead null, PV string open circuit voltage up to 1,000V DC with polarity indication, PV string short circuit current up to 15A DC and can test individual PV modules or strings. The PV150 can store up to 200


complete test records with USB to quickly and easily download to a PC. Professional test certificates and reports can also be created when used with Seaward’s SolarCert software. The kit includes:


n Solar Survey 200R irradiance meter for recording real time irradiance, ambient temperature and PV module temperatures. n Solar Survey 200R mounting bracket allowing the irradiance meter to be connected at the same angle as the module for accuracy and ease of use. n Lightweight AC/DC clamp that offers accurate measurements of currents in conductors up to 22mm in diameter. n SolarCert Solar PV reporting software for downloading and manipulating data. n A carrying bag for holding test lead adaptors, box test probes and detachable alligator clips, test leads with detachable alligator clips and a USB cable.


ELEMENT’S TEST STANDARDS SUPPORT SECURED BY DESIGN


Security test standards for mechanical immobilisers used in motor vehicles and plant as well as security systems for bicycles and ground anchors, have been launched by Element Materials Technology. These new standards give


manufacturers a route by which they can meet the requirements set by Secured by Design (SBD), the national police crime prevention initiative. The three vehicle security


standards are based on the principles of Element’s test standard STS 202, which was established 10 years ago to provide an alternative way to achieve SBD compliance on other non-automotive products. The tests for STS 202 involve


attacking products to test their physical resistance to casual or opportunistic burglars using a range of tools based on a


burglary rating between one and six, with six being the highest. Element’s decision to create a


set of vehicle standards follows Thatcham’s decision to withdraw their physical test offering on after-market vehicle products. In addition, changing market conditions include the potential increase in plant theft with major construction projects, increasing reliance on mechanical immobilisers with ‘keyless’ cars, and that STS standards are more flexible than EN European equivalents and can adapt quickly to changing patterns of criminal behaviour. Mark West, operations


manager at Element, said: “These are the schemes we have started with, which we can add to if there is a new requirement or new product. The possibilities are endless. We are basically applying the test methodology


we apply to doors, windows and security hardware to automotive products.” The company recently


performed a demonstration of controlled physical attacks on a number of products including bicycle locks, steering wheel locks and wheel clamps using a range of simple tools, such as a hacksaw to steal a bicycle and plastic wedges being hit by a hammer to remove a wheel clamp. Security products at the


cheaper end of the marketplace were breached within a few seconds, underlying the importance of quality products that can resist physical attack to the standards required by SBD.


❱❱ Test facility provides capability to perform a range of tests to certify vehicle security products to Secured by Design criteria


NEW GREEN NCAP SETS OUT TO EXPLORE GAP


The world-renowned and internationally pervasive New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP) has long been providing consumers with vehicle safety ratings based on tests that become increasingly stringent as technology develops. Now, Euro NCAP is introducing


Green NCAP, a similar rating regime for the ecological performance of cars. So far, 12 cars have been rated against the tough test regime, which explores the gap between manufacturers’ claims and real- world performance. Green NCAP aims to promote


cars that are less polluting and more fuel- and energy-efficient by providing consumers with independent information about cars’ performance in tests that go well beyond legislative requirements to uncover the


4 /// Testing & Test Houses /// March 2019


differences between manufacturers’ emissions- control strategies. Currently, Green NCAP


considers only the energy used


while driving (tank-to-wheel), but in time, well-to-wheel and ultimately the whole life-cycle will be considered, including the energy used to produce the


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