Bad Practices, Part 25

April 7, 2014
Here are three more related to “test equipment” that you should guard against.

Bad maintenance practices tend to sneak into the way things get done. Here are three more related to “test equipment” that you should guard against.

Bad Practice #68 — Saving Money in the Maintenance Budget by Skipping the Purchase or Updating of Test Equipment Beyond DMMs and a Basic Megohmeter.

This doesn’t save money, as maintenance must pay overtime for reaction mode work that would proper testing would have prevented.

Bad Practice #69 — Using DMMS Wherever Possible, to Reduce the Need to Purchase and Maintain More Expensive Test Equipment (as a Bonus You Eliminate Costly Training!).

Use the right tool for the job. For example, there’s a big difference between an insulation resistance test at the DMM’s 9VDC level and one conducted at 1,000VAC with an insulation resistance tester.

Bad Practice #70 — Judging Power Supply Adequacy Based on DMM Voltage Readings.

DMMs are great tools, but they don’t test under the necessary conditions (reactance is different at the nominal voltage) and they don’t read the many variables a power analyzer shows you.

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EC&M, create an account today!

Sponsored Recommendations

Electrical Conduit Comparison Chart

CHAMPION FIBERGLASS electrical conduit is a lightweight, durable option that provides lasting savings when compared to other materials. Compare electrical conduit types including...

Don't Let Burn-Through Threaten Another Data Center or Utility Project

Get the No Burn-Through Elbow eGuide to learn many reasons why Champion Fiberglass elbows will enhance your data center and utility projects today.

Considerations for Direct Burial Conduit

Installation type plays a key role in the type of conduit selected for electrical systems in industrial construction projects. Above ground, below ground, direct buried, encased...

How to Calculate Labor Costs

Most important to accurately estimating labor costs is knowing the approximate hours required for project completion. Learn how to calculate electrical labor cost.