Testing safety of power tools using PAT-806 devices from Sonel S.A.

In Poland and other EU countries the issue of safety is increasingly gaining in importance. New regulations, standards and legal provisions are introduced, covering the wider areas of professional and private activities. One of the elements present in many aspects of our professional and private lives is electricity. It is necessary, but when improperly used or inadequately controlled it may be dangerous.

 

The electrical safety relates not only to the supply network, power infrastructure, but also the electrical appliances, tools and other electrical equipment. Therefore, this significant area of our life can not remain without proper supervision. Although there are no clearly defined standards that specify the obligation, extent or the intervals for testing power tools and other electrical equipment, there is an obligation to act in accordance with the recognized technical rules as well as health and safety regulations. According to the current legislation, electrical equipment must not only be operated, but checked in accordance with the guidelines contained in the instruction manual supplied by the manufacturer. The information contained in the manual is often insufficient and user may search for other sources of knowledge, provided that they are not contrary to the manual. The issue of testing is mentioned in many laws and regulations, including: the Labour Code, the Regulation of the Minister of Economy, the Act on Construction Law, the Act on Fire Protection, the Act on Energy Law etc. Moreover, standards such as PN-EN 60745-1 define the rules for performing such tests by manufacturers. Also the European standards may be applied, including the most popular VDE 701-702.
The group of standards for safety of electrical equipment includes also a standard specifying the inspection of welding equipment, i.e. PN-EN 60974. The work conditions of welders are heavy, not only for people, but also for equipment. EU requirements contribute to the increasing level of public awareness, whereas introduction of appropriate procedures, new technologies and the availability of equipment increased the safety level of welders. On the other hand, workers usually remember on protection measures such as a helmet, gloves, goggles, but they often forget to check the technical condition of welding equipment or other devices. It is not a matter of a "quick check" but this kind of equipment needs conscious and responsible inspection of its operational safely. Many regulations charge the owners of tools and devices with the responsibility for their technical condition, introducing rules and obligations related with the use of various types of electrical equipment. These provisions also promote regular tests and inspections, as well as checking the equipment after repair. What are the consequences of using faulty equipment, damaged often without the knowledge of the user? It is obvious that it creates a big danger for user, but also serious financial losses. If the equipment is not fully functional (e.g. damaged insulation), the responsibility for any incident would pass from the manufacturer to the owner. Therefore, it is worth to properly and regularly check the technical condition of owned electrical equipment.
For this purpose, Sonel SA, which is a market-leading company, offers its devices that are also useful for anti-shock protection. The manufacturer after a careful analysis of customer needs and in order to meet the legal requirements, launches the next version of the professional safety meter for electrical equipment - PAT-806.

 

The functionality and performance of PAT devices from Sonel ensure full control of the technical condition of electrical equipment and tools (including basic parameters of three-phase devices). PAT-806 is a meter designed for checking the electrical safety of welding equipment, in accordance with PN-60974-4. This standard clearly specifies the requirements, methods of inspection and parameters to be met, in order to declare a device as efficient.
The meter allows user to perform tests in automatic and manual mode. The manual mode is available directly via buttons of the measurement function selection and does not require launching of any additional menu. PAT-806 allows user to carry out a full test procedure, which includes:

1. Preliminary test - visual inspection of the tested device. PAT is provided with a function that indicates on its screen the time of the next visual inspection.
2. Measurement of PE conductor's resistance with current 200mA, 10A or 25A. In the two-wire method, it is possible to perform the auto-zeroing of test leads in order to eliminate the additional measurement error. In case of four-wire measurement for currents 10A and 25A it is not necessary. Sonel provided here a professional solution ensuring high resolution of the measurement (1mΩ), with a maximum reduction of errors. Advanced current adjuster has a high efficiency, providing maximum current of >25A up to 0.2Ω, which is not offered by many more expensive meters offered on the market.
3. Measurement of insulation resistance. Three available test voltages (100V, 250V and 500V) and a wide measuring range allow the user to select the appropriate measurement parameters for many types of tested objects.
4. Leakage current measurement on welding circuit. The measurement carried out directly on the welding output terminals, is performed by a special system, which fully complies with the requirements of the standard.
5. Measurement of primary leakage current on welding machines. With a suitable adapter and the built-in measurement system, PAT-806 measures the initial leakage current flowing in the PE conductor; the measurement is available for single-phase and three-phase devices.
6. The measurement of voltage in no-load condition (U₀) on welding machines. In order to meet the requirements of standards, PAT-806 is equipped with a corresponding measurement system to measure RMS and peak values of voltage U₀.
7. Measurement of leakage currents. Up to four measurement functions are available to measure: equivalent leakage current, differential leakage current, touch leakage current and PE leakage current.
8. Power Measurement. PAT-806 measures the consumed power up to 3.9 kVA, but also displays voltage and current measured at the same time.
9. Testing IEC cables and extension cords.  The meter automatically checks the basic parameters of IEC cables and when provided with an appropriate adapter it test also extension cords. The measurement sequence is performed automatically, and it includes: the measurement of PE insulation resistance, resistance measurement of cores in protective earth conductor (continuity), the continuity test of L and N conductors, checking for short circuits between the conductors and the polarity check.

This configuration and the availability of many types of measurements make PAT devices universal. Their users are not limited to the safety tests of welding machines, but may also check other tools and electrical equipment.

 

All measuring functions may be simply set (if necessary) in terms of the measurement time and result limits. PAT independently compares the result with the defined limit. Data can be stored in the internal memory and on USB memory sticks. Each tested device may be assigned with a barcode read by the optional barcode reader. Optional printer allows you to print the measurement results and data stored in the memory.
Sonel Reader software (supplied) allows you to read data from memory, and carry out full configuration of the meter. More demanding customers may additionally purchase extended Sonel PAT software. This program allows user to maintain a database of tested devices, which informs meter operator about the need for performing next tests and provides an option of preparing and printing short or extended test reports that meet requirements of the following standards PN-EN 60974-4, VDE 701-702, EN 61010, EN 60335, EN 60950, IEC 601.1.
We all know how important the safety is. By monitoring the safety of devices and deciding to admit them for operation (or not), we assume great responsibility for both the health and lives of users and their property. There is no room for error. There is no room for compromise or alternative solutions, a momentary "turning a blind eye." Only the reliability, accuracy and professionalism are permitted. In such situations, Sonel meters are the right choice.
The device is delivered with a set of necessary accessories that may be extended with: adapters for measurements on three-phase devices, printer, barcode reader, adapter for measuring the extension cords etc.
Compact and easily-handled housing, clear display, direct access to all functions and simple operation make PAT devices of 800 series suitable for transport comfortable in use. The manufacturer provides a 36-month guarantee for the meter, with an option of extending it up to 5 years.