I am Creating a List of Industrial RoadTesters. Are You Interested?

It is not clear why this list of industrial road testers would apply or rather why they wouldn't apply if it was just a regular road test format. I guess if they don't need to do a big proposal it makes it easier although that isn't a factor for me. I've been involved in quite a lot of industrial stuff, and consequently I have significant interest in some of the technology involved, but it generally isn't a high priority interest for my work at home. In other words I wouldn't mind participating in the odd road test when I'm not too busy, but I don't have much need for industrial instrumentation at the moment. (Sometimes it can be re-purposed for something I can use) Perhaps it might work if I was teamed with someone who has a real need - I could participate in research and blogging just out of interest.

Last week three things happened almost simultaneously that motivated me to write this post.

1. I didn't see anyone sign up to roadtest this: Megger Insulation Tester  (It may be that people are on vacation and not focused on something that closes in Sept. In any event, I have to do my planning months ahead so it is on my mind.)

2. I was just sent this product: VeriSafe | Verify the Absence of Voltage | Panduit

Not a difficult product to understand or hook up by any means. Most anyone could test it. But it's not a product that someone would necessarily have a use for in their homes or would feel compelled to use. It would also be a product that someone who was an electrician or a facilities engineer or someone who worked with load centers, panelboards, switchboards etc. would be interested in. Hence, I don't see it as something that a maker who is playing around with arduino or RPi would feel compelled to roadtest.

3. I am having a meeting this week with a prominent industrial supplier. (That's a big part of my job: to meet with suppliers.) I spoke with the account manager about what products work well in the community. We both realized that we had to be selective. But there were some products they really wanted tested that might not be a good fit.

I would rather just put them up for anyone but I'm concerned about not getting enough applicants. Hence, my idea with a go-to industrial roadtester list. Basically, I would know these people would have the interest and background for roadtesting these products.

My thoughts for the moment...

Randall

Hi Randall,

just a note about your last comment update.

Point 1 - I supposed that the Megger Insulation Tester was part of this bunch of industrial products; all what is strictly related to powering system and current detection I don't subscribe by default because I am interested on but I think I have not the right knowledge to make a good job, especially testing for a supplier.

Point 2 - This is a product instead I can try to road test probably in a good way, before on an bench test then on the field with some high power tooling machines.

I renew my interest to be part of the industrial road testers brigade but as I probably already stated in some of my comments before, it is needed we have a minimum number of members just because not all of us can share the same competencies.

Enrico

rscasny

Great explanation, and Point 2 is very valid.

We have members who have day jobs that do involve industrial, but obviously they might need to engage with their employer before combining the two.

I have done a test on the Agilent Megger and used it's other features to great effect.

The Electrical Team leader at work wants to test the non contact function out in the field, but I'm making sure I'm there at the same time as I fear it won't come back.

The Verisafe looks like a very effective device.

We have a large range of installations that get regular maintenance performed, and this might be a suitable device, so thanks for sharing it, I'll pass it onto the electricians at work to look at.

Mark

1) Probably this has multiple reasons. Sure, its vacation season. But then there are now more road tests than before, so there might be some road test fatigue (as discussed before . Also, this is a more specialized, which not everybody needs (or knows how to use). So you won't get that much first-time tester, but its more something for someone with more experience. And I guess most of them have a road test running at the moment (at least from what I remember as testers recently). And they also might wait with their application to see whether something more interesting comes up (e.g. the new Tektronix scope *hint hint*). I'm thinking about applying as it might be an interesting device to look at, but I'm not the target audience for such a device.

2) is difficult - it nothing for a hobbyist since you really should be a qualified electrician to install it properly (needs to be installed into the fuse box). This is clearly something for people with an industrial day job, people doing this as an hobby are rare I guess. From what I have seen in the road tests and the blogs such members seem quite rare here - this might be something to work on (e.g. advertise for the community and the road test when you have orders going out at Farnell / Newark that match some criteria)

3) For such items you might do a road test by invitation (or ask around beforehand who might be interested). This should at least reduce the effort, and give faster feedback about the quality to expect.

hli

Hi Randall,

That's an interesting product, the VeriSafe, by the looks of it. I will put in an application for the Verisafe and the Megger, since they both look useful, for labs at my workplace (server rooms with racks and cabinets) and for electrical installers. I don't do installer work since I'm not qualified, but a sibling has the appropriate qualifications and does that, so I suspect if selected he will also like to compare the features of the Megger against his older-generation one that he currently uses. The scope of industrial applications is vast, but I'd love to be signed-up for areas where I could be useful.

Speaking of electrical installations, I got the chance to see possibly the most impressive one during vacation last month.. this photo shows the visible portion of about a third of the generators (each has about 100MW ballpark power output) more than 25 stories underneath the Hoover Dam, powering a million homes with renewable energy.

You are always full of surprises Shabaz!

Enrico

You are always full of surprises Shabaz!

I've been lucky to see the racks at his place of work (where he goes to hang out).

I've seen one or two others, but this was row upon row upon row.

This hydro power thing isn't really new, we've been doing it here since 1886.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullendale

Most of our power is from Hydro, but generally in smaller installations.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_power_stations_in_New_Zealand

If you like underground power stations, Manapouri is the one to see.

Access to the underground Generator Hall is by a 2km bus trip.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manapouri_Power_Station

Cheers

mark

Yes this is on my list to see, but unfortunately Manapouri has been closed to public access since December due to maintenance.

Hopefully it's back re-opened by the time I'm back down that way in November

Yes this is on my list to see, but unfortunately Manapouri has been closed to public access since December due to maintenance.

Hopefully it's back re-opened by the time I'm back down that way in November

Yes this is on my list to see

It took us a while to get there as you really need to stay close, and we're usually in Queenstown.

closed to public access since December due to maintenance

Not sure what they are doing, probably pulling some generators out

My Kids were amused at this sign on the way to the departure point. They hadn't even seen the one in Hawaii.