Software tools and workplace electrical safety

Alan Barrett, software product manager of Seaward Electronic, explains how new electrical test data management programs can help to maintain a safe working environment.

With technology making everything faster, smarter and smaller, and computer programs streamlining test systems for greater efficiency, the needs of those involved in workplace portable appliance testing (PAT) have never been better catered for.

Advances in test instrumentation mean that new lightweight, Bluetooth enabled hand held instruments complete safety test sequences very quickly and with the minimum of fuss.

Supporting these innovations, the continued development of effective record keeping software programs has not only increased opportunities for efficient safety testing records, but has also created a means of ensuring that potentially dangerous appliances do not remain in use in the factory, workshop or engineering areas.

In basic terms PAT testers might be regarded simply as test data collection tools that measure and check the safety of electrical equipment in the workplace.

In today's competitive market, the key to maintaining fully efficient and modern workplace appliance testing programmes is increasingly about how this test data is acquired, managed and presented.

On a practical level it is also about enhancing the transfer of data between the tester and the database and how the collected data can be interrogated, managed and used to control safety programmes more effectively.

For larger PAT operations, and because the testing of electrical appliances is carried out by test engineers at workplace locations that will be remote from the main records database, powerful test data management packages are available that facilitate two-way transfer of data between the tester and the software.

In this way engineers can pre-program or upload their testers directly from the PC with the necessary equipment and test information before the day's work begins and then download results into the records programme at the end of the shift.

The same software programs can also be used to create asset registers for departments or parts of building, print test certificates and output test reports in different formats.

New PDA based PAT software programs take this smarter working to a different level by promoting greater flexibility for service and test engineers whether or not their testers possess an internal memory for results storage.

For example, new PAT workabout software allows direct input of equipment, tests and inspections from a central results database into a hand held PDA, with the results of test routines being quickly and easily recorded as soon as testing is completed.

Test results files can then be transferred back to head office records either directly from the PDA or remotely from other test locations using email and mobile phone technology.

The use of Bluetooth enabled testers further enhances this flexibility and means that for large PAT service and contracting organisations the effective use of data management software can greatly improve the margins associated with operating efficiencies of remote off site working.

For more specific monitoring of PAT productivity in the field special software is also available that works alongside the PAT results database to provide a clear picture of tester usage.

The new time manager software provides clear information on the test activity of individual users and engineers - providing such details as time of test, number of tests undertaken and time between jobs.

Analysis of such information enables team managers to understand how testers are used, identify improvements in staff training and help field staff to test faster and more efficiently.

In terms of operational improvements, another recent innovation is the use of PAT management software to identify and plan re-testing schedules quickly and effectively.

This feature works through specialist software that constantly monitors the test records stored in a PAT results database, automatically triggering re-test notices for those that are approaching the next test date.

The pre-trigger feature enables re-test schedules to be highlighted prior to appliances becoming overdue for test, with special e mail alerts being sent to relevant personnel to give advance warning of the presence of any potentially unsafe electrical equipment in the workplace.

To make PAT system purchasing decisions easier, electrical safety test solutions are now available that combine a tester, with results management software and supporting accessories.

This new PAT solutions approach streamlines the selection of integrated test systems by providing different test instruments alongside various accessory and software options, service and calibration support, in keeping with exactly the sort of portable appliance testing being undertaken.

For example, at the top end of the market it Bluetooth enabled testers are available with sophisticated test management databases for comprehensive PAT solutions.

For more basic needs, entry level pass/fail testers or checkers can be linked with handheld PDA record systems or basic entry level PC software to maintain a results database.

In both cases the combination of tester and software is all about making testing as easy as possible and eliminating errors.

At all levels PAT record keeping programs provide real practical benefits to those responsible for workplace electrical safety - reducing costs, increasing productivity and improving many operational issues that can only help in the long term maintenance of a safe working environment.

Back to top