Preventing Electrical Overloads in the Home
Here at Sotcher, we know the dangers of electrical overloads and work hard to create testing equipment that prevents these in the manufacturing environment, but what about in the most important place of all – your home? In this article, we’ll explain how electrical circuits work, how to figure out which outlets are on which circuit, and how to avoid overloading them. We’ll explain the electrical system in a way that DIYers can easily understand. Click the article below to learn more.
The Handy Dandy Volt-Ohm Meter
A voltage tester and a continuity tester are adequate for many diagnostic jobs, and they are relatively inexpensive, but for more serious electrical and appliance troubleshooting and repairs, investing in a volt-ohm meter (VOM) is the way to go. Click below to learn more.
Critical Criteria for Test Equipment: Part 4
With the initial application of power to a product there is always a possivility that the input power line to the product is short-circuited. To protect the operator and the product, a short circuit detector can be used. It operates faster than a circuit breaker and its level can be an adjustable test parameter. When a high volume of appliances is being manufactured and tractability of each product is not required, an audit station becomes practical solution. Basic test stations without data acquisition are used in the manufacturing cells. A single audit station is used to test samples from the line. The audit station has extended test capacity and provides statistical analysis of the data for quality control. A complete quality monitoring system calls for life cycle testing. Cycle test stations allow continuous testing while monitoring and recording critical parameters. Automatic controls assure functional tests are performed on schedule and out of tolerance products are turned off. The automatic data collection system provides MTBF data as well as statistical analysis of the product’s performance. If a total product history is desired, repair action and audit results on non-conforming products can be recorded. These can be traced to the affected product by model and serial number. We hope you found these suggestions helpful and informative. Feel free to leave your own in the comments section or ask us any questions you might have.This is the final part of our 4 part series that will examine some key features you want to consider when planning and configuring your manufacturing testing facilities. Keep in mind, these individual features can often be combined or added onto an existing product for increased functionality.Show/Hide
Short Circuit Detection
Audit Station
Long Term Cycle Testing
Tracing Repair Actions
Critical Criteria for Test Equipment: Part 3
Filed under: Service Tags, Test Stations, Wiring Devices
If bar codes are available on the products, they provide an ideal way of programming the test station for the proper series of tests. If the product contains safety circuits, or if a minimum total test cycle time is desired, simultaneous testing should be considered. This feature allows the product to be in operation during the performance of the dielectric test. When a product is plugged in the first time, or the operator is required to make adjustments to the electrical circuit, the use of GFCI’s should be considered. Full time ground fault interrupter circuits protect the operator should they contact the electrical circuit. Stay tuned for more!Part three of a four part series that will examine some key features you want to consider when planning and configuring your manufacturing testing facilities. Keep in mind, these individual features can often be combined or added onto an existing product for increased functionality.Show/Hide
Bar Coding of Products
Dielectric Testing of Powered Products
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters
Critical Criteria for Test Equipment: Part 2
Appliances for North America and the International market are manufactured and tested in the same cell by using quick change test receptacles. An outlet strip containing the carious receptacles may be used. The test station can furnish the proper voltage to each. The correct frequency can also be supplied if necessary. If you manufacture products such as hair dryers or fans, but the product mix changes frequently, use a special feature that teaches the tester. A good sample product is cycled through its various speeds and heat settings. The tester measures the results and uses them (with tolerances applied) as test parameters to test similar products. Safety tests such as dielectric strength are not affected with this process. Networking all test stations within a product group to a host computer allows all test data to be retained at a single point. This supports your data acquisition and statistical process control efforts. For operator safety, a second test circuit verifies that the frame of the product is held at a true ground potential whenever power is applied. Stay tuned for more!Part two of a four part series that will examine some key features you want to consider when planning and configuring your manufacturing testing facilities. Keep in mind, these individual features can often be combined or added onto an existing product for increased functionality.Show/Hide
Mixing Domestic and Exported Products
Teach the Tester
Central Data Collection Point
Ground Verification
Critical Criteria for Test Equipment: Part 1
When the concept of just-in-time inventory is important to your operation, manufacturing cells are one of the major solutions to this need. Cells allow immediate feedback if a problem develops and promotes a strong team spirit. Individual test stations can be provided as standalone testers, or networked to a host computer, whichever makes the most sense for your operations. To achieve the fastest test cycle time with lowest operator fatigue, perform all tests with a single connection. With careful design of the test area, the operator can plug in the product once and perform any cycle, safety, or performance tests. If the product is a motor driven or a heating appliance, a run-in period may be desired. If so, design the test area so the product remains connected from run-in through final test. Automatic circuits can be used to control the timing period. Also, keep in mind a turntable with rotating receptacles may improve efficiency. Networking test stations ensures that uniform test parameters are applied to all products. This not only allows the data to drive your processes, but also gives you the added benefit of analyzing and measuring the effectiveness of your testing line, giving you real time feedback on what’s actually happening on the floor. Stay tuned for more!This is the first of a four part series that will examine some key features you want to consider when planning and configuring your manufacturing testing facilities. Keep in mind, these individual features can often be combined or added onto an existing product for increased functionality.Show/Hide
Work Cells
Connect Once Only
Run-in
Central Control of the Test Parameters
Paint Sprayer Manufacturing Line Tester
3 Key Indicators You Could Use a Better Testing Program
A good place to start is to evaluate your internal and external standards for compliance. All equipment manufacturers have to adhere to external testing standards as specified by the UL, CSA and TUV, but where they are lacking is establishing a set of internal standards to take it one step farther and ensure product quality. Another area to evaluate when determining if your testing is procedures are best in their field is to evaluate the types of testing you’re currently doing. Safety tests are just one area you can look at. You also want to make sure you’re measuring on performance, quality, reliability, acceptance and routinely auditing all of these procedures. When looking at your testing system as a whole, what percentage of the process is automated and what portion is manual? The more automation and customization you can incorporate into your testing process, the lower the possibility for error and the more streamlined your system as a whole will be. Most people can’t see the forest for the trees when it comes to evaluating their testing procedures. Take some time to critically evaluate your current system for increased efficiencies. There are a number of other areas to evaluate when determining if your testing procedures meet the grade, but by starting with these three important criteria, you’ll have a good understanding of where your current systems might be lacking and what direction you’ll need to take to improve them.Testing and maintaining your industrial equipment can not only save you time and money in the long run, but it also helps limit your liability and keeps your workforce and customers safe from any potential safety hazards. Most people do routine testing of their equipment, but how do you know if it’s up to snuff? We’ve spoken to the experts and determined 3 key indicators that your current testing program could use some work.Show/Hide
1. Adherence to Standards
2. Testing Spectrum Evaluation
3. Manual vs. Automatic Operations
Long Story Short
How Do You Know When It’s Time for a Custom Solution?
Obviously a big factor for consideration. While most full featured hi-pot testers will put a dent in even the most considerable budgets, there’s another solution that costs less and is a better fit for your own manufacturing processes. People are usually surprised to find that they can have a fully automatic test station with data acquisition included for less than the price of a micro-processor type hi-pot tester. Which leads us to our next point. There have been considerable advances in data acquisition in the past decade when it comes to testing industrial equipment. It’s become so affordable and efficient, you can usually get a test station designed to your specs for less than you would spend on the components to build it. All companies recognize having full and complete records of every production test on a real time basis is invaluable. Everything from rejection rates, liability protection, quality trends, production flow and management reports can be pulled to diagnose your testing programs in a custom solution. However, these features are not always included in a standard hi-pot testing unit, so be sure to evaluate this when considering new equipment. The last thing, but arguably the most important to consider, is how well does the solution you’re looking at match your current manufacturing processes and flows? Does a plug and play tester suit your needs, or would you find value in having an automated test station with data acquisition and a wide range of test programs included? These are all things that need to be considered when looking at implementing or upgrading your test equipment within your organization, and while there’s no easy answer, you’ll have a much better idea of what you need and if a custom solution is right for you after evaluating these criteria.When it’s time to upgrade or replace your existing test equipment, or you’re in the market for a new setup all together, how do you know if it’s better to spend the big bucks for a standard hi-pot tester or custom build your own solution? Well, here at Sotcher we asked some experts and came up with three main components to consider when making this decision.Show/Hide
It’s All About the Benjamins
Cut Once, Measure Twice
Does it Gel?