Ensuring test set safety during development
Why we're thinking about creating life vests for tests sets:
Working with electricity is always dangerous. It's no exaggeration to say that any job involving high-voltage electrical equipment is a matter of life and death. That's why we at OMICRON place a great emphasis on producing test sets that are efficient, user friendly, and as safe as possible. From the moment we come up with an idea for a product, we never stop working to enhance the protection functions of our devices and design new safety features. It’s a process that continues until the end of the life cycle. We aim to create standout safety functions, which often means thinking outside the proverbial box so we can develop exceptional solutions.
Safety, right from the start
Safety plays a key role that begins in the development phase, when every new product undergoes a Product Safety Risk Assessment (PSRA). This ongoing process ensures safety features are developed and integrated in a purposefully.
Among other things, a PSRA includes:
- Automatic wiring test: Ensures that devices are connected correctly.
- Device self-tests: Verifies the reliability of the system before each use.
- Detailed connection diagrams: Guides users safely through the test preparation stage.
While these safety measures have been designed to minimize risk, there’s not a safety feature on earth that can replace the care and attention of the user. Following the five safety rules of electrical engineering is an essential part of this.
Safety features via updates
Software updates can save lives.
Our commitment to safety continues after a product enters the market, because we’re always working to improve existing safety functions.
While software updates that provide additional safety are nothing unusual, in many cases they only increase the safety of the devices without necessarily making users any safer. However, the Primary Test ManagerTM 5.0 (PTM) is another story because the software update, which came out last year, delivers safety improvements such as:
- 2kV-Timeout in Quick: Stops the high voltage infeed after a defined period of time.
- Rapid Fault Sense technology (RFS): Monitors the output variable in real time in selected modes and switches the device off in less than a millisecond if it detects an anomaly.
Both features serve as additional safety measures that can limit the exposure of CPC 100 users to hazardous voltage in the event of an emergency, increasing their chances of survival.
“Safety is essential in any job; that goes without saying. However, the immense risks of working with high-voltage electrical equipment pose unique hazards we can't perceive with our senses. You can't see, hear, or smell electricity, but it’s still life-threatening.”
– Jakob Hämmerle, Safety Product Manager, OMICRON
Life vests – an upcoming safety feature?
It’s unlikely that we’ll start supplying our test sets with life vests any time soon. Airbags, safety belts, and anti-roll bars probably won't feature either. However, you can rest assured that we’re constantly developing new, practical safety features – with the overriding aim of making your testing as simple, efficient, and safe as possible.
The five safety rules of electrical engineering
We invest a great deal of time, money, energy, and passion into continually improving our safety features. However, a safety feature that can replace the five safety rules doesn’t exist. Following the rules below still the best, most reliable safety precaution in the world – even when using the latest high-tech test sets.
1. Insulate
2. Secure to prevent reconnection
3. Verify that the installation is dead
4. Carry out grounding and short-circuiting
5. Provide protection against adjacent energized parts
Listen in for more safety know-how
In episode 87 of our Energy Talks podcast, OMICRON Safety Product Manager Jakob Hämmerle gives us the low-down on how to stay safe when working with high voltage and shares valuable safety tips for electrical engineers.
