Seaward A203ES - Manual (Page 5)

GENERAL GUIDANCE NOTES
The Test Area
As well as assessing potential EMC problems, it is important to consider the ‘safety’ of the test area, both for
the operator and anyone else within the vicinity.
Electrical safety testing, by it’s very nature, can be hazardous and various common sense precautions must
be observed –
♦ Test equipment must be positioned in a clearly defined area with access limited to the operator only.
♦ Test benches should be insulated and preferably of wooden construction – steel benches, even if
covered with rubber or other insulating materials, are not recommended.
♦ Free standing benches, if not sited against a wall or in a corner must be fitted with high back and side
fences to limit access to the operator only.
♦ It is recommended that mains supply outlets in workshops and in particular those used to supply
equipment in any ‘test areas’ are protected by an Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker.
♦ Arrange the test bench so that test equipment controls can be readily operated without the need to
stretch or reach across the item under test. This is particularly important when testing motorised items.
♦ The item under test must be placed on an insulated surface, and must not come into contact with the
instrument case or any other ‘earthed’ metalwork (conduit, trunking and the like).
♦ The operator must also be on an insulated surface such as rubber matting or nail-free duckboard.
WARNING - THE ITEM UNDER TEST MUST NOT BE TOUCHED WHILST TESTS ARE APPLIED
Provision should be made for securing the item under test to prevent movement when applying test probes
and to avoid accidental handling during testing.
Operator Competence
Electrical safety test equipment must not be operated by persons under 18 years of age.
Anyone who operates electrical safety test equipment must have undergone thorough training in the correct
use and application of the particular equipment that they are required to operate.
The degree of additional supervision should be appropriate for the competence and experience of the
operator.
It is the duty of the operator to ensure that the test equipment is operating correctly and is appropriate for the
intended purpose – see also ‘Periodic Inspection’ under Calibration & Servicing.
OM_A203ES Page 5 of 5