EBME Forums Forums Maintenance Technical Assistance Continuity Testing

Wow!
I have just returned following a motoring accident which put me out of action to find my post has sparked off quite a debate.
Thanks to you all.

In summary < 1A tests should not be required due to manufactuing standards such as 601 etc and are unlikely to make use of solid state devices which may be damaged by this test. RTFM just in case!

So, dare I ask which tester seems to be the best. Metron, Rigel or Biomedical?

Kind regards

What application do you need the tester for? Manufacturing or routine testing? Testing of large volumes of the same type or one-off tests after repair? Is the time taken to perform tests a priority? Do you need something that interfaces with an asset database? Do you need to store a large numebr of test-results in the tester then download later or be able to printout after each test has been completed? Is the tester going to be used in the field or in a workshop environment? What level of accuracy is required in the measurements?

Hi Colin, I heard about your accident. Hope you make a full recovery.
I presume you are looking for an portable automatic tester to speed up testing and make your engineers more productive (and profitable). The 277 (plus)has been designed for field-service engineers (based on the Supernova enclosure - UK's number one PAT Tester)who require a portable design unlike a bench mounted design of other testers mentioned before. The Rigel 277 (plus)has a complete build-in asset management and is 100% stand alone. Therefore, when requiring a portable tester which is easily moved from one client to the other, the 277 is your best bet. Not only can you perform 2500 tests before the memory is full, you can download into Mediguard asset management software or use the CSV output and download into most asset management package on the market provided an appropriate macro is produced.
I hope you can make the right decision
Thanks
John

Hi Colin, I heard about your accident. Hope you make a full recovery.
I presume you are looking for an portable automatic tester to speed up testing and make your engineers more productive (and profitable). The 277 (plus)has been designed for field-service engineers (based on the Supernova enclosure - UK's number one PAT Tester)who require a portable design unlike a bench mounted design of other testers mentioned before. The Rigel 277 (plus)has a complete build-in asset management and is 100% stand alone. Therefore, when requiring a portable tester which is easily moved from one client to the other, the 277 is your best bet. Not only can you perform 2500 tests before the memory is full, you can download into Mediguard asset management software or use the CSV output and download into most asset management package on the market provided an appropriate macro is produced.
I hope you can make the right decision
Thanks
John

Yes. We are service engineers who will be offering this service in addition to our other interests.
We already PAT test in general industry using the seaward supanova tester.
We are looking for, quick, easy to use kit which will be used on a variety of items per visit. We have had demos of each seaward/rigel, metron and biomedical, and simply wanted to ask the industry for your opinion. Thanks Mr R J Ling and JB.
P.S. Has anybody else had to re-register? I was told my login does'nt exist!

Yes. We are service engineers who will be offering this service in addition to our other interests.
We already PAT test in general industry using the seaward supanova tester.
We are looking for, quick, easy to use kit which will be used on a variety of items per visit. We have had demos of each seaward/rigel, metron and biomedical, and simply wanted to ask the industry for your opinion. Thanks Mr R J Ling and JB.
P.S. Has anybody else had to re-register? I was told my login does'nt exist!

One problem of using a high current for testing the protective conductors on medical devices is the danger of making a temporary repair. That is, if measured at a low current, the device may exhibit a high PE resistance value (even be almost open circuit) but when tested with a high current will exhibit a low resistance. Then when put back in service (well it did pass) the oxidisation or corrosion of the mains connector (be it the IEC or mains plug) causes the earth to become high resistance again! This can mean the total leakage current of the device may end up entering the patient! (As could be the case in a dialysis machine since it has a type B applied part.)

Maybe the use of a high PE test current should be banned as this may lead to 'real' faults being masked?

If the UK made more use of equipotential bonding leads maybe it would not matter as much?

Nice pictures!

But you're right about the tendency not to bother with the "equipotential terminal" (in the UK, that is).

Meanwhile:-


Other folk have mentioned 8 Amps (if I remember rightly). And, as I have already said, I have settled for 10 Amps myself.