By Grace Beckett
Electrical appliance testing is important when it comes to ensuring the safety of the product. It helps to find out if the manufacture has complied with the safety standards that will help avoid hazards and risks associated with an electrical product.
Further Benefits of Electrical Testing
Most electrical tests are conducted to ensure that the end user does not suffer from electrical shock or get hurt when operating an electrical appliance which may carry high voltage or current.
Electrical testing basically determines if it is safe and secure to use the electrical equipment. So, if you know how to test such devices, you can actually find out yourself whether it is safe to operate the appliance or it needs repair.
Once you are aware of the testing procedures, you will be able to determine the risk associated with an electrical device and avoid hazards at home or office.
Types of Electrical Testing
There are two types of tests performed on electrical equipment. One of them is the type test that is carried out by test houses during the approval of an electrical device. The other one is a routine test that a manufacturer performs at the end of production.
Most type tests are conducted to determine whether an electrical product conforms to the specified safety standards. On the other hand, production tests include dielectric strength, earth leakage current and checking insulation resistance. Each of these tests is explained briefly.
Dielectric strength test: Dielectric strength test or the hipot test determines whether the equipment has the insulation required for the passage of normal range of overvoltage. It also detects clearance distances and insufficient creepage that can occur while the electrical product is manufactured.
Insulation resistance or Megger test: This test is performed to determine the resistance between any two points in a circuit, which are separated by an insulator. It actually helps you know how effectively the insulator can resist the flow of electricity. So, if you’d like to check an appliance’s power of insulation, then this is the test you should conduct.
Earth leakage current test: This kind of testing helps you evaluate the risk of electrical shock associated with an appliance. This prevents injuries that can prove to be fatal for a person operating the equipment.
Leakage current test is performed by following the prescribed safety standards. The test should be carried out when the appliance is operating under normal condition and with reversed polarity along with switches open as well as closed.
PAT Testers and Their Importance in Electrical Testing
When it comes to testing electrical devices, PAT testers make your task easier. They help you distinguish between a Class I and Class II appliance. Such classification is based on the risk associated with each type of appliance.
With PAT testers, you can conduct earth continuity test, insulation resistance test, polarity check and dielectric strength test on Class I equipment. For Class II appliances, these testers will be helpful in performing dielectric strength test, insulation resistance test, functional review and touch current test.
Grace is an expert associated with PAT-TESTERS, one of the leading distributors of Seaward PAT testers. If you are specifically looking for a Seaward Prime 50 tester, feel free to contact the company.