Is There Interest in a Webinar on How To Write a Better RoadTest Application?

beacon_dave

the insulation on the copper tape appears to be more robust than I originally anticipated. 5,000volts breakdown

Looks like a normal insulation tester should suffice then.

You wouldn't want to punch through the insulated coating, so a 1000v test should be fine.

Mark

It looks like the insulation on the copper tape appears to be more robust than I originally anticipated. 5,000volts breakdown according to the spec' sheet:

http://www.ampetronic.co/corecode/download.aspx?id=269153

insulation tester on audio frequency induction loop tapes (hearing aid loops) leaking to ground

Something I wouldn't have thought about ....

It would likely need a tester with a fairly low voltage range to prevent making the situation worse

You need a setting lower than the normal insulation resistance of the wire.

In the case of the Line Protection units, they include MOV's designed to breakdown to protect the connected items.

We may not know all the reasons for a road test, but we know some of them for sure. We know they are looking for interesting tests that showcase the features of their product. If that happens to be a unique application that others will find useful or interesting, I'm sure the sponsor would like it. It needs to sound interesting, but popular and useful probably are more important than esoteric.

Ok, I wasn't so sure about that either way.

Still, perhaps best not to suggest testing a premium set of screwdrivers by using them to pry open paint tin lids however...

[ I was considering testing the effectiveness of an insulation tester on audio frequency induction loop tapes (hearing aid loops) leaking to ground causing instability in the amps driving them.

Often they are laid directly on concrete which can rot the protective coatings resulting in them finding leakage paths to ground. Alternatively carpet fitters can nick the coatings or even cut through the tape so getting accurate low resistance readings can help there as well.

As these are usually hidden under floor coverings it would be good to be able to conduct some thorough tests before having to make the expensive decision to lift the floor covering.

It would likely need a tester with a fairly low voltage range to prevent making the situation worse.

Probably not something the manufacturer would have considered either.]  

RoadTest doesn't always indicate what aspects of the product the supplier is actually interested in being tested.

Hopefully they make that clear to rscasny when they arrange to have the RT.

I'd be surprised if the manufacturer singled out an application because the person decided to use it in a very different method than they thought of.

I used a Insulation Tester to prove Communication Line Protection modules, and I can bet they hadn't seen that before.

made it clear in my application that I would be doing that, and it proved a very easy check in the field. (Pity our guys haven't followed up on it)

Given some of the examples shared, I'm sure a new test or method isn't the issue.

Cheers

Mark

I would have thought even newcomers to any particular technology are at a great advantage if they are keen to apply a new technology in a different way, especially if one is passionate or super-interested in the particular technology.

One thing that perhaps is not always clear to the newcomer, is that the invitation to RoadTest doesn't always indicate what aspects of the product the supplier is actually interested in being tested.

As you say, a newcomer may think 'outside of the box' and use the product in a way not ever intended by the manufacturer. However was that what the supplier was actually after or were they more interested in the product being tested in an expected manner.

On a similar note, some RoadTests may expect the product to be repeatedly tested as a measure of robustness, whereas others may expect it to be tested in a variety of different ways for flexibility especially if it is a multifunctional tool.

If it involves accompanying software then that perhaps adds an additional dimension - what percentage of the RoadTest is expected to be spent on the assessing the hardware and what percentage is expected to be spent on the included software.

In some cases it may be that the supplier doesn't really know the answer either and requires the applications to decide which way they want to go with it.

Where possible though, it may be good to include such details in the invitation to RoadTest so as the applicant can include a RoadTest plan tailored more to the supplier's expectations.

It is all about learning and improving. First you have to get good enough at proposals to win at the proposal stage. Then you have to get good at writing reviews so you can be selected again.

Hi Doug,

This poll was followed up with a webinar on this topic (with quite a lot of info/guidelines), there is a video recording of it here:

Webinar Recording: How To Write a Winning RoadTest Application.

I think it would be a good idea to offer guidelines on how to put together a good proposal.

I thought the idea of the community was to help each other develop further, no matter if you need help in writing or using test equipment.