Tip of the Week: Use Test and Measurement Equipment Safely
Unlike cheap knock-off test equipment, brand name test equipment is designed for safety and manufactured to exacting standards for safety, reliability, and accuracy. But working with electricity is inherently dangerous and so is any test equipment if used improperly.
For example, do you connect a DMM one lead at a time, or do you hold a probe in each hand and connect both at the same time? The correct answer is one lead at a time, but do you know why?
The manual for every piece of test equipment comes with safety information. Do you take the time to read it? Some manufacturers of specialized test equipment provide training classes; these are typically worth the cost based on increased productivity alone, but safety is also a good justification.
And don’t accept the misguided notion that using non-contact test equipment means you’re safe. Consider a thermographic camera. Someone just looking at the camera may wonder how using it could possibly be dangerous.
Using the camera often involves removing the covers of energized equipment. One way to reduce hazards there is to install infrared ports on equipment where infrared inspection is on the maintenance schedule.
Make thermography even safer by installing a camera permanently in that location; contact any infrared camera manufacturer for guidance on this idea. It’s surprisingly more affordable than many people think; for one reason, you usually need only bare-bones features for this dedicated camera.
About the Author
Mark Lamendola
Mark is an expert in maintenance management, having racked up an impressive track record during his time working in the field. He also has extensive knowledge of, and practical expertise with, the National Electrical Code (NEC). Through his consulting business, he provides articles and training materials on electrical topics, specializing in making difficult subjects easy to understand and focusing on the practical aspects of electrical work.
Prior to starting his own business, Mark served as the Technical Editor on EC&M for six years, worked three years in nuclear maintenance, six years as a contract project engineer/project manager, three years as a systems engineer, and three years in plant maintenance management.
Mark earned an AAS degree from Rock Valley College, a BSEET from Columbia Pacific University, and an MBA from Lake Erie College. He’s also completed several related certifications over the years and even was formerly licensed as a Master Electrician. He is a Senior Member of the IEEE and past Chairman of the Kansas City Chapters of both the IEEE and the IEEE Computer Society. Mark also served as the program director for, a board member of, and webmaster of, the Midwest Chapter of the 7x24 Exchange. He has also held memberships with the following organizations: NETA, NFPA, International Association of Webmasters, and Institute of Certified Professional Managers.