Flinders UniversitySchool of Biological Science

Electrical Safety Testing in 2004Electrical Safety Testing in 2004

or

Doing More with LessDoing More with Less

A brief summary to date

• Biology started electrical safety testing in 1999

• Seaward Supernova and Pat1000 testers were supplied as standard testers

• WinPat software was chosen as the preferred management tool

Seaward Supernova

Seaward Pat1000

Test types enter via barcode scanner

Tests originally available

How it worked…… • A tester was used to perform the electrical safety test on

an item. Test data were temporarily stored in the tester• An item record was then manually added into the

Winpats software running on a personal computer. Information keyed in at this stage covered item location, asset number, serial number, class of test, retest interval etc…..

• Actual data about the test was then uploaded onto the computer via a hardware link from the testers memory

• The two parts of data were then combined in the Winpats database (a Microsoft Access database) which was located on one of the School’s servers

So why change anything?

The School was faced with the reality of regularly retesting in excess of 5,000 items and few resources to perform the task. This led to a

review of our complete process.

Issues Identified• Test were slow to perform – lots of buttons and

keystrokes for each test• Too much information was being kept about the

test – all we needed to know was: did it pass or fail?

• Two data entry points for each test• Data stored in the testing unit was susceptible to

being deleted prior to being uploaded to the computer – this is a problem with multiple users of the Supernova tester

• Winpats software was perceived as not being user friendly

How can testing be improved?

• Perform pass or fail testing with a simple tester

• One data entry point for ALL required information – including retest management

• Easier data entry

• A more portable system that suits the layout of the building and lab areas

The new *TNT tester“Test and Tag”

*Meeting

AS/NZS 3760:2001

Industry

Standards

Simpler lead testing

Simpler item testing

Simpler test menu structure

X

How to handle the data entry?

• Use a web based system for single point data entry into a database located on a central server – Users need access to an active web browser

• Develop browser windows that will suit both portable data entry via a Pocket PC (with wireless network access) and standard notebook or desktop computers

• Provide an easy method to list retest due items

Pocket PC Application

How do I connect it?

AC powerneeded

Networkconnection

needed

What no barcode reader…..

• Must scan the right way up!

• Barcodes must be in good condition!

http://daphne.bio.flinders.edu.au/pda/login.php

The Pocket PC will default to this page when Internet Explorer is opened

An overview of data entry

First logon to this web address

Note……. You can test drive this software by going to the site above and using “test” for the username and “test” as the password. A sample

barcode number of 67476 will allow you to evaluate the software. The test login will not allow you to save any changes made.

An overview of data entryThe user logon screen

Pocket PC (PDA)

Logon Screen

OR

Standard Computer BrowserLogon Screen

• An individual who has completed the University training course in electrical safety testing is issued a username and password

• When a person logs on to the system, their name is automatically registered as the one who will be performing the electrical safety test – this eliminates the need to retype entries

• The logon screen also makes the database information more secure

An overview of data entryWhy a user logon screen?

An overview of data entryThe Main Menu Screen

For new items (or previously untested items) select this option and click “Submit”

at the bottom of the screen

To find details of a previously tested item by using its barcode number select this

option, enter the barcode number in the box provided and click “Submit”

To locate items that are due for retesting select this option and click “Submit”

The Administration Screen allows those with admin rights to manage usernames, passwords and test locations - select this

option and click “Submit”

An overview of data entryAdding a new item….

Select “Add New Entry”

Then click “Submit”

An overview of data entryAdding a new item….

When all data is entered click “Submit”

An overview of data entryAdding a new item….

After clicking “Submit” you will be asked to confirm the updating of the database

If any boxes remain incomplete you will see this error message

An overview of data entryHow do I find items needing

retest?Select “Find EST Barcode” from the

main menu screen

Then click “Submit”

An overview of data entryFinding a bar coded item….

An overview of data entryHow do I find items needing

retest?

Select “Other Search Options” from the main menu screen

Then click “Submit”

An overview of data entryHow do I find items needing retest?

An overview of data entryWhat results will I be given?

An overview of data entryUpdating the test…..

When all data is entered click “Submit”

An overview of data entry Updating the test…..

After clicking “Submit” you will be asked to confirm the updating of the database

If any boxes remain incomplete you will see this error message

An overview of data entryFinding items…..

An overview of data entryFinding items by keyword…..

An overview of data entryEntering short term tests…..

Use EST barcode numbers as you normally would in this box…..

Select “Short Term” in the Retest box

Please note that “Short Term” tested items will not appear in any of the

retest due lists – they are ONLY one-off tests designed for items that are

not permanently located within Biology (or Biology related) areas.

From the “Add New Entry” item in the main opening menu:

Other ways to find items that need retesting

Rapid retesting identification by the smart use of identifying

labels

An overview continuedNew tested/retest labels…..

The current use to labels

Current test sticker show the date tested and person that performed the test (in this case number 4) (this label will be replaced - see

next slide)

University Asset number (only used on major equipment items)

(this remains the same as previous)

EST barcode label (this remains the same as previous)

An overview continued The new tested/retest label…..

Colors and test dates shown are for demo only and may change

Color indicate the year a retest is due – based on a 5 year cycle

The following dates are valid for tests being performed in 2004

For 6 month or 1 year retest due

items

Will not be used till next year

For 3 year retest due items

Will not be used till next year

For 5 year retest due items

Cycle repeats starting 2010

Flinders University – BiologyElectrical Safety Retest in

2005 2005 2005Tested by: ____________

Flinders University – BiologyElectrical Safety Retest in

2006 2006 2006Tested by: ____________

Flinders University – BiologyElectrical Safety Retest in

2007 2007 2007Tested by: ____________

Flinders University – BiologyElectrical Safety Retest in

2008 2008 2008Tested by: ____________

Flinders University – BiologyElectrical Safety Retest in

2009 2009 2009Tested by: ____________

Flinders University – BiologyElectrical Safety Retest in

2010 2010 2010Tested by: ____________

The above labels are used on ALL tests performed

White

Orange

Yellow

Green

Pink

White – again….

• Any of the above items that are likely to remain fixed in one location will only require a EST tested/retest label (ie no EST barcode) using a 5 year retest color

• Any of the above items that are used in higher risk areas should have EST barcodes and EST tested/retested labels attached of the corresponding color for the retest due date

An overview continuedTesting IEC cords, power boards and

extension leads…..

An overview continued What if something fails the test?

If an item fails electrical safety testing choose “FAILED” from the “ReTest” menu

-Then enter the reason the item failed in the “Comments” box – YOU MUST COMPLETE THIS ENTRY IN ORDER TO PROCEED

- After the “Submit” button is clicked an email will be sent to Doug.Butler@flinders.edu.au with details of the item that failed

- In addition, THE FAULTY ITEM MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED FAULTY WITH THE DO NOT USE – ELECTRICALLY UNSAFE LABEL PROVIDED

Electrical testingside issues!

Or little useful tips……

Reminders……

• When testing equipment with a physical ON/OFF switch, ensure the switch is ON before starting the test

• Check that the “earthing clip” from the TNT tester (or other tester model) is attached to a suitable metal part of the item being tested

Confused about what is double insulated?

Sometimes an item with no earthing points is not marked as double insulated. Our technical staff can check it out and, if compliant, give it a sticker. If it has internally earthed components, they will add a test point,

usually a stainless steel bolt near the mains inlet.

Industry standard symbol for double insulated devices

ELECTRICAL APPLIANCESIN THIS CUPBOARD

MUST BE SAFETY TESTEDPRIOR TO USE

What about items in the area that may not be used in the

near future?

Think about the use of these labels

Other test methods….

Check by first shorting the leads

Use yourself to check if the multimeter is reading correctly

Can’t remember what pin is what?

What is this weird plug?

• Andrew Daddow for his database and programming skills

• The many technical staff within Biology that have contributed to the design and testing of this solution

• Software products used include: – MySQL (open source – no cost)– PHP (open source – no cost)– SQLion (purchased software used for converting the old

database information to SQL – Approx $70 Aust)

Acknowledgments