Fuses,Circuit Breakers and Safety Switches

These devices are found in your Switch board understanding these devices and how to use and maintain them will help  your management and understanding of Electrical Safety in the Workplace.

Primary Overload response devices (Fuses & Circuit Breakers)

Fuses and circuit breakers are built to fail in conditions of excess current which can overload the electrical wires in your home. These overloads are often caused by faulty appliances. When an overload occurs, the fuse melts before the wires can overheat, which reduces the risk of fire. Circuit breakers will often trip quicker and more importantly they can be reset to help diagnose and remove faults

1. Always replace a blown fuse with the correct fuse wire. Never use fuse wire that is heavier than the recommended gauge.
2. Never use any other type metal or wire.
3. If fuses keeps blowing, or a circuit breaker keeps tripping, check that your appliances are not faulty.
4. If fuses continue to blow, or circuit breakers continue to trip after appliances are unplugged, there could be a problem with your wiring. Contact a licensed electrician immediately.

Safety switches

Safety switches look similar to circuit breakers, but they provide extra protection from electric shock. Safety switches monitor the flow of electricity and if any irregularity is detected, the electricity supply is immediately cut off.
Homes with children or backyard workshops should consider installing safety switches to reduce the risk of electrical accidents. New homes are required to have safety switches installed. Licensed electrical contractors can install safety switches in older homes at a reasonable cost. You can also purchase portable safety switches for appliances and extension cords. Useful particularly when using power tools outside ie Electric Lawnmowers, Hedge trimmers, Drills, circular Saws etc

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Of course the best way is to ensure that your appliances are not hazardous in the first place. Tested & True ~ test & tag comes to your work place at a time convenient to you. We can do an assessment of your Electrical Hazards it can be conducted at the same time as we test and tag your Electrical Equipment. We provide a Full Report with recommendations to clear up current Hazards and how to prevent future risks. Call and ask for a quote. 040 7605568..

Note: We also do emergency and preventative maintenance of Switchboards and Mains Wiring

Tested & True ~ test & tag  Adelaide uses the very latest in Portable Appliance Testing…The STC ProLogger 2 it can perform static testing class 1,2 & M RCD testing, Earth Leakage Detection, 3 phase run testing and logs results as you test. all in one neat piece of equipment. On top this all our Technicians are Trained to National Standard UEENEEP008 in test & tag operations by Intertag in Sydney NSW, all our Equipment is in good repair and in Calibration. Most of all we pride ourselves on our Knowledge of OH&S legislation and the current Australian Standards ensuring that you get Quality Service at a competitive price.

Call Now Mobile 040 7605568

Visit us at

www.testedandtrue.com.au

or our Newsletter http://testedtruenewsletter.blogspot.com/

Peter Hill Manager , Tested & True ~ test & tag Adelaide August 2013

PULL THE PLUG… NOT THE LEAD!

Pulling the plug out of the socket by the lead will eventually expose the single wires which weakens its insulation and therefore increases electrocution risk. The Image below shows what happens to plugs pulled out by the leads

KEEP POWER LEADS AWAY FROM HEAT AND WATER.

Heat or water can damage the insulation and create a shock hazard.

POWER LEADS UNDER CARPETS ARE A FIRE HAZARD.

Don’t run electric cords under rugs, through doorways or anywhere they will get excessive wear.

INSPECT POWER LEADS AND POWER BOARDS

Worn, they can cause fires, short circuits or shocks. Check electrical cords and plugs and discard them if they are worn or damaged.

ELIMINATE MULTIPLE CONNECTIONS ON ONE POWER POINT

Plugging a number of cords into one outlet is a fire hazard. It usually indicates that your home wiring is outdated for your needs and that you should have more outlets wired in.

DO NOT CASCADE FROM ONE POWER BOARD TO ANOTHER OR OVERLOAD POWER BOARDS

Generally use Power Boards for Low current devices not Heaters, Kettles, and rotating machinery. Avoid cascading or connecting power boards together in chain arrangement as this may overload a 10 amp power wall socket and cause a fire or compromise the the electrical safety of the items attached to the power boards. Here below is an image of a burnt out power board which ran a 2400 Watt heater plus other electrical items. Note the burnt out socket.

DON’T USE EXTENSION CORDS AS PERMANENT WIRING.

An extension cord is a handy device to temporarily bring power to an area in your home that does not have an outlet. It was never designed to take the place of permanent wiring. Using extension cords as permanent wiring is an indication that your home wiring is not adequate and should be updated.

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Here at Tested & True ~ test & tag, we can come to your work place and do an assessment of your Electrcal Hazards it is usually offered as an extra service and conducted at the same time as we test and tag your Electrical Equipment. We provide a Full Report with recommedations to clear up current Hazards and how to prevent future risks. Call and ask for a quote. 040 7605568

Tested and True uses the very latest in Portable Appliance Testing…The STC ProLogger 2 it can perform RCD testing, Earth Leakage Detection and Run Testing all in one operation.On top this all our Technicians are Trained to National Standard UEENEEP008 by Intertag in Sydney NSW, all our Equipment is in good repair and in Calibration. Most of all we pride ourselves on our Knowledge of OH&S legislation and the current Australiand Standards ensuring that you get Quality Service at a competitive price.

Call Now Mobile 040 7605568

Visit us at

www.testedandtrue.com.au

or our Newsletter http://testedtruenewsletter.blogspot.com/

Peter Hill Manager , Tested & True ~ test & tag Adelaide October 2013

Many of our clients organise regular test and tagging services simply because it is easier and safer.

A regular program of testing and tagging comprises of: (standard 10/15Amp 3 wire cabled appliance)

A visual check to ensure the integrity of the Electrical cord and Appliance construction

• The Technician looks for Cuts and breaks in appliance and power cables may present as an  electrical hazard.
• An inspection of the integrity of the appliance housing looking for cracks and holes which may expose personnel to an electrical hazard.

A series of electrical tests are then conducted to detect the unobservable faults not found by the visual inspection process, and forms an integral part of the inspection/testing process.

The equipment is turned off to allow the technician access to the appliance plug. All tests are performed by disconnecting the appliance from the building power and connecting the plug to an insulation tester or a Portable Appliance Test-set built for the purpose of performing the tests automatically and uniformly. These Tests are:

1. Earthing continuity test: (specifically for metal shrouded appliances) to ensure there is adequate connection between the earth pin on the plug of the appliance and the metal cover shrouding the appliance.
2. Insulation resistance test: to ensure that no path exists with the appliance/lead for electrical current to transit from the active wires to earth.
3. Continuity Loop test: to make the sure that the active circuit which powers the appliance has a good solid connection and in no way presents as an electrical hazard.
4. Polarity Test: (only for items which distribute power: leads, power-boards, adapters etc) to ensure that the wires of an extension cord/power board appear the same order of connection at the plug as the do at the socket

Other Equipment Tests Include:

 RCD test to test the tripping time of a RCD to ensure your safety switch or RCD does work properly and switches off in a fault situation quick enough to save personnel from Harm.

3Phase Test: usually high powered workshop and building site equipment with multiple active wire connections (tests performed on 3phase test are similar to that of standard appliance tests outlined above)

Emergency Exit sign test: Tests the ability for an emergency exit sign to stay on when power is off 30 minutes is the expected time, if it fails to reach the expected time then the circuitry/ battery will be in need repair or replacement .

That is it, in a very basic overview if you need to know more please either contact us or contact Safe-Work SA (South Australia) http://www.safework.sa.gov.au/  1300 365 255 or The Workplace Safety Authority in your local area.

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At Tested and True …we come to your work place at a time convenient to you. We can do an assessment of your Electrical Hazards it can be conducted at the same time as we test and tag your Electrical Equipment. We provide a Full Report with recommendations to clear up current Hazards and how to prevent future risks. Call and ask for a quote. 040 7605568 Tested & True ~ test & tag Adelaide uses the very latest in Portable Appliance Testing…The STC ProLogger 2 it can perform RCD testing, Earth Leakage Detection and Run Testing all in one neat piece of equipment. On top this all our Technicians are Trained to National Standard UEENEEPOO8 in test & tag operations by Intertag in Sydney NSW, all our Equipment is in good repair and in Calibration. Most of all we pride ourselves on our Knowledge of OH&S legislation and the current Australiand Standard AS/NZS 3760:2010 ensuring that you get Quality Service at a competitive price. Call Now Mobile 040 7605568

Visit us at http://www.testedandtrue.com.au or our Newsletter http://testedtruenewsletter.blogspot.com/

Peter Hill Manager Tested & True ~ test & tag Manager SA 0407605568 January 2014

Electrical Safety Switch Tripping possibilities

Electrical Safety Switches  are RCDs ( Residual Current Devices)  that remove the supply to an electrical circuit when the circuit under protection has detected a leakage to earth. The RCD/Safety Switch responds in mere mili -seconds; avoiding an unsafe condition and thereby potentially preventing electrocution or Fire hazard.

Possible Causes Of Safety Switch/RCD Tripping

Faulty appliance – unplug all electrical appliances, does the RCD reset OK? If the RCD resets OK plug the appliances back in one at a time. Reset the RCD as you plug each appliance back in to find the faulty appliance.

Items with motors or pumps starting – many items with motors or pumps, for instance showers and pond pumps, cause momentary electrical spikes that are big enough to trip RCDs. Seek advice from a qualified electrician.

Older washing machines – aging washing machine heating elements can cause momentary electrical spikes that are big enough to trip RCDs.

Certain wash cycle phases – some cycles of the washing machine, for instance the spin cycle, can cause momentary electrical spikes that are big enough to trip RCDs.

Certain dishwasher cycles – some parts of the dishwasher cycle draw a lot of current, a faulty component, for instance the motor, can trip an RCD.

Overloading a washing machine – too many items in a washing machine can cause certain wash cycles, for instance the spin cycle, to trip an RCD.

Fridges and freezers cooling – the fridge or freezer cooling motor starting.

Turning an heating element on after a long time of being off – moisture in heating elements can trip an RCD, for instance in a sun bed or electric fire. Try resetting the RCD a few times so that the heating element can cause the moisture to evaporate.

Moisture in outside electrical distribution boxes – remove the supply and dry the distribution box. Check the weather seals have not perished.

Moisture in outside electrical sockets – remove the supply and dry the electrical socket. Check the weather seals have not perished.

De-frost timer on a fridge or freezer – a faulty defrost element on a fridge or freezer can cause ‘nuisance’ RCD tripping.

Water heating elements – faulty water heating elements can cause nuisance RCD trips when thethermostat tells them to heat the water.

Moisture in wiring – moisture in the electrical wiring is a common cause of RCD trips. Have you just emptied a bath? Taken a shower? Is it raining – rain can get into the electrical wiring under the floors or in the loft.

As you may have found this list contains certain  conditions that may give clue to an RCD tripping. In most cases this concerns appliances or situations that involve at least one or a combination of  three conditions 1) Moisture leaking electricity to earth in the appliance or premises wiring. 2) A heating element that is either faulty or drawing sudden electrical surges. 3) An appliance with an electric motor that is either faulty or drawing sudden electrical surges.

If you have trouble sourcing constant or intermittent RCD/Safety Switch Tripping then Contact us and we can send a Qualified Electrician around to check it they can source and fix it on the spot.

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At Tested and True …We test Safety Switches as well as other electrical testing services. We come to your work place at a time convenient to you. We can do an assessment of your Electrical Hazards it can be conducted at the same time as we test and tag your Electrical Equipment. We provide a Full Report with recommedations to clear up current Hazards and how to prevent future risks. Call and ask for a quote. 040 7605568 Tested & True ~ test & tag Adelaide uses the very latest in Portable Appliance Testing…The STC ProLogger 2 it can perform RCD testing, Earth Leakage Detection and Run Testing all in one neat piece of equipment. On top this all our Technicians are Trained to National Standard UEENEEP008 in test & tag operations by Intertag in Sydney NSW, all our Equipment is in good repair and in Calibration. Most of all we pride ourselves on our Knowledge of OH&S legislation and the current Australiand Standard AS/NZS 3760:2010 ensuring that you get Quality Service at a competitive price. Call Now Mobile 040 7605568

Visit us at http://www.testedandtrue.com.au or our Newsletter http://testedtruenewsletter.blogspot.com/

Peter Hill Manager , Tested & True ~ test & tag Adelaide January 2014

We have such a large number of gadgets today and they nearly all have sensitive electronic components particularly for our entertainment and computing equipment. We are told that we need to protect that equipment for Electrical surges from our mains power supply. The easiest and most convenient way is to buy a Surge Protected Power Board … However, not all surge protectors are alike, and some even put your gadgets at risk. So what is the Difference between a Surge Protected Power Board and a plain power board? Firstly, not every power board is a surge protected power board. It may sound basic, but it’s a fundamental piece of knowledge you’ll need. While a power board just splits your outlet into multiple ports, a surge protector is designed to protect your computer, TV, and other electronics against power surges and any interference or noise on your power line. Power surges may not be an everyday event, but they’re common enough that they can damage your equipment. What to look for: Look for a Label that states its Surge Protected and also look for a led light on the board which indicates that it the Surge Protection is working when the board is plugged in. This will act as a check if there has been major surge event in the Mains power supply.  If the led light goes off the Surge protection may be blown and it will indicate that it is no longer working even though the board is still supplying power to connected devices. Buy one with right number of outlets they come in typically 6,8,12 outlets (this avoids connecting many boards together compromising your protection and potentially overloading power to appliances from the power-point.) DO NOT buy single a single outlet device they are usually cheap and provide poor protection your expensive appliances. Do not connect High current appliances to a Surge Protected power Board they are designed for sensitive Low Power Devices (Tvs, DVD Players, Game Consoles, Hi-fi, Computer Devices etc) for example, do not connect Kitchen appliances, Air Conditioners, Tools and Workshop equipment to a Surge Protected Power Board Always check the design specifications

• Energy absorption/dissipation – This rating, given in joules, tells you how much energy the surge protector can absorb before it fails. A higher number indicates greater protection. Look for a protector that is at least rated at 200joules. For better protection, look for a rating of 600 joules or more.
• Clamping voltage. The clamping voltage is the voltage that will trigger the surge protector—or essentially when the surge protector wakes up and starts absorbing energy. Look for something around 400 V or less. Lower is better here. Finally, see if response time is listed in the product details—it’s good to know, and lower is better
•  Response time – Surge protectors don’t kick in immediately; there is a very slight delay as they respond to the power surge. A longer response time tells you that your computer (or other equipment) will be exposed to the surge for a greater amount of time. Look for a surge protector that responds in less than 20 nanoseconds.
• As mentioned before,It is best to look for a Surge protected board with an indicator light that tells you if the protection components are functioning

Importantly: Make sure you’re informed before you buy, and read the back of the box or the product details before you buy anything. You don’t want to invest in a surge protector only to find out that it’s far too weak to protect your devices, or it’s a surge protector in name only. Remember,  the most expensive is not always the best. The best thing to do is figure out what you need to protect and buy accordingly.

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At Tested and True …We test Safety Switches as well as other electrical testing services. We come to your work place at a time convenient to you. We can do an assessment of your Electrical Hazards it can be conducted at the same time as we test and tag your Electrical Equipment. We provide a Full Report with recommedations to clear up current Hazards and how to prevent future risks. Call and ask for a quote. 040 7605568 Tested & True ~ test & tag Adelaide uses the very latest in Portable Appliance Testing…The STC ProLogger 2 it can perform RCD testing, Earth Leakage Detection and Run Testing all in one neat piece of equipment. On top this all our Technicians are Trained to National Standard UEENEEP008 in test & tag operations by Intertag in Sydney NSW, all our Equipment is in good repair and in Calibration. Most of all we pride ourselves on our Knowledge of OH&S legislation and the current Australiand Standard AS/NZS 3760:2010 ensuring that you get Quality Service at a competitive price. Call Now Mobile 040 7605568 Visit us at http://www.testedandtrue.com.au or our Newsletter http://testedtruenewsletter.blogspot.com/ Peter Hill Manager , Tested & True ~ test & tag Adelaide April 2014

Electrical Risk Assessment is a necessary step prior to determining a Test & Tag interval of testing

After the work area has been determined as either electrically non-hostile or hostile, a regular inspection schedule can be developed. It is recommended that regular workplace safety inspections are synchronised with the checking periods which are required for electrical equipment.

Non-hostile electrical environment This is a workplace that is dry, clean, With equipment and leads are away from danger from sharps and flexing  or anything else that may result in damage to electrical equipment or the flexible supply cord. In accordance with Safe Work Australia: Code of Practice – Managing Electrical Risks in the Workplace, electrical equipment used in electrically non-hostile operating environments does not require tagging. It is sufficient to visually inspect equipment and cords for damage prior to use and thereafter on a regular basis.

Hostile electrical environment This is a workplace where the equipment or appliance may be subjected to events or operating conditions which could result in damage to the equipment or a reduction in its expected lifespan. What is a Hostile Environment? Is the electrical equipment, when used in normal operation, exposed to any of the following items that might result in damage to the equipment or reduction in its expected life span:

• Mechanical damage?
• Moisture?
• Heat?
• Vibration?
• Corrosive substances?
• Dust?
• Sharps?
• Grease/Oil?

If ‘YES’ to any of the above, the environment is considered ‘hostile’ according to the Australian Standards AS/NZS 3760  for testing & tagging.. Just as a general guide see the table Below… It is taken from the Australian Standards AS/NZS 3760  for testing and Tagging and it forms the basis of State and Industry testing and tagging requirements. Below is a key for identifying the categories in the table and the type of environment in which they are found.

coloured text = Intervals for retesting in a hostile environment.

coloured text = Intervals for retesting in a Non hostile environment.

coloured text  = Intervals for retesting for specific equipment/circumstances without regard to the environment it will be used.

We do the risk assessment for you of  Electrical Hazards taking in environmental concerns it can be conducted at the same time as we test and tag your Electrical Equipment. We provide a Full Report with recommedations to clear up current Hazards and how to prevent future risks. Call and ask for a quote. 040 7605568 Tested & True ~ test & tag Adelaide uses the very latest in Portable Appliance Testing…The STC ProLogger 2 it can perform RCD testing, Earth Leakage Detection and Run Testing all in one neat piece of equipment. On top this all our Technicians are Trained to National Standard UEENEEP008 in test & tag operations by Intertag in Sydney NSW, all our Equipment is in good repair and in Calibration. Most of all we pride ourselves on our Knowledge of OH&S legislation and the current Australiand Standard AS/NZS 3760:2010 ensuring that you get Quality Service at a competitive price. Call Now Mobile 040 7605568 Visit us at http://www.testedandtrue.com.au or our Newsletter http://testedtruenewsletter.blogspot.com/ Peter Hill Manager , Tested & True ~ test & tag Adelaide july 2014

Electrocution incidents can be fatal, since the year 2000 25-30 people die from Electrocution in Australia (http://www.erac.gov.au/ ) 90 percent of these deaths involve non Electrical workers! Many more are seriously injured while non-fatal shocks can result in serious and permanent burn injuries to skin, internal tissues and damage to the heart depending on the length and severity of the shock.

Electric shocks from faulty electrical equipment may also lead to related injuries, including falls from ladders, scaffolding or other elevated work platforms. Other injuries or illnesses may include muscle spasms, palpitations, nausea, vomiting, collapse and unconsciousness. Those working with electricity may not be the only ones at risk. Poor electrical installation and faulty electrical appliances can lead to electric shock to others at or near the workplace.

How can I avoid electrical hazards?

Dependant on the context and conditions, but may include for example:

• Ensure only appropriately licensed or registered electricians carry out electrical work
• Switch off electricity where possible before working on equipment
• Ensure electrical equipment is in good working order (testing and tagging)
• Use battery operated tools rather than mains power tools where possible
• Remove damaged, unsafe electrical equipment or cords from the workplace
• Ensure tag out and isolation procedures are in place and used
• Use residual current devices (or safety switches) with portable equipment (as per the WHS Regulations)
• Don’t overload power sockets. Use power boards not double adaptors
• Meet electrical safety standards

The best way is to meet electrical safety standards is to have your appliances tested and tagged…

At Tested and True …We test Safety Switches as well as other electrical testing services. We come to your work place at a time convenient to you. We can do an assessment of your Electrical Hazards it can be conducted at the same time as we test and tag your Electrical Equipment. We provide a Full Report with recommedations to clear up current Hazards and how to prevent future risks. Call and ask for a quote. 0407605568 Tested & True ~ test & tag Adelaide uses the very latest in Portable Appliance Testing…The STC ProLogger 2 it can perform RCD testing, Earth Leakage Detection and Run Testing all in one neat piece of equipment. On top this all our Technicians are Trained to National Standard UEENEEP008 in test & tag operations by Intertag in Sydney NSW, all our Equipment is in good repair and in Calibration. Most of all we pride ourselves on our Knowledge of OH&S legislation and the current Australiand Standard AS/NZS 3760:2010 ensuring that you get Quality Service at a competitive price. Call Now Mobile 040 7605568

Visit us at http://www.testedandtrue.com.au  or our Newsletter http://testedtruenewsletter.blogspot.com/

Peter Hill Manager , Tested & True ~ test & tag Adelaide August 2015

In Australia hundreds of fires are caused by potential electrical hazards found in the home apart from fitting a smoke alarm would it not be best that you can reduce these hazards in the first place!

• Replace or repair damaged or loose electrical cords.
• Avoid running extension cords across doorways or under carpets.
• In homes with small children, make sure your home has tamper-resistant (TR) receptacles.
• Consider having additional circuits or outlets added by a qualified electrician so you do not have to use extension cords.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for plugging an appliance into a receptacle outlet.
• Avoid overloading outlets. Plug only one high-wattage appliance into each receptacle outlet at a time.
• If outlets or switches feel warm, frequent problems with blowing fuses or tripping circuits, or flickering or dimming lights, call a qualified electrician.
• Place lamps on level surfaces, away from things that can burn and use bulbs that match the lamp’s recommended wattage.
• Make sure your home has a Safety Switch or Separate RCD breakers for power outlets especially in the kitchen bathroom(s), laundry, basement, and outdoor areas.

We can check your Electrical safety and test your fire Alarms and safety Switches

Tested & True ~ test & tag Adelaide uses the very latest in Portable Appliance Testing…The STC ProLogger 2 it can perform static testing class 1,2 & M RCD testing, Earth Leakage Detection, 3 phase run testing and logs results as you test. all in one neat piece of equipment. On top this all our Technicians are Trained to National Standard UEENEEP008 in test & tag operations by Intertag in Sydney NSW, all our Equipment is in good repair and in Calibration. Most of all we pride ourselves on our Knowledge of OH&S legislation and the current Australian Standards ensuring that you get Quality Service at a competitive price.

Call Now Mobile 040 7605568

Visit us at www.testedandtrue.com.au

or our Newsletter http://testedtruenewsletter.blogspot.com/ … September 2015

How do surge protected power boards work ?
At first glance a surge protected power board operates like any other Power Board. It shows its ability at that moment when too much voltage gets passed along the transmission line , the surge protected board lets only a ‘safe’ amount through to the connected equipment. The rest it channels into the electrical outlet’s ‘earth’ and safely dissipated into the ground.
When a surge occurs at a certain level above normal voltage, a component built into the surge protected power board becomes conductive and starts to carry the excess electric current back down through the ground wire, so the damaging high voltage doesn’t reach connected equipment. Once the surge ends, that protective component resumes its ‘dormant’ stage of being non-conductive. It’s a bit like an electrical version of a pressure valve.
Australian domestic wiring is designed for a standard voltage of 230–240 volts. If the voltage goes too far above that, it can damage electronic equipment, which usually has many sensitive components. If excess voltage lasts for a very brief time (1–2 nanoseconds) it’s called a spike. If it lasts longer it’s called a surge. Even though a spike or surge can be so brief their duration is measured in nanoseconds, they can still cause damage to sensitive components. It is vitally important to protect sensitive business equipment, Computers, printers, photocopiers etc these items of equipment are sensitive to Surges in voltage.

So what sort of a Surge Protected Board should you Buy ? Here are the specifications you should consider…Energy absorption/dissipation – This rating, given in joules, tells you how much energy the surge protector can absorb before it fails. A higher number indicates greater protection. Look for a protector that is at least rated at 200 to 400 joules. For better protection, look for a rating of 600 joules or more.
Response time – Surge protectors don’t kick in immediately; there is a very slight delay as they respond to the power surge. A longer response time tells you that your computer (or other equipment) will be exposed to the surge for a greater amount of time. Look for a surge protector that responds in less than 15 nanoseconds.
It is best to look for a Surge protected board with an indicator light that tells you if the protection components are functioning. Eventually the protection component will burn out after continual power surges, but the board will still function as a power connection. Without an indicator light, you have no way of knowing if your protector is still functioning properly.
Other important features may include ?
Building wiring status indicator: Detects potentially dangerous wiring problems in the wall outlet.
Circuit breaker: Protects the surge board from overload by connected devices drawing too much current.
EMI noise filtration: This reduces or eliminates line noise (electrical interference).
Other connections: Surge protected sockets for coaxial cable, modem or Ethernet network, all of which can also conduct high voltage that can damage connected devices.
Outlet spacing: Allows more room for one or more devices that use a transformer block.
Sockets: Check the number of mains power sockets available, usually from four to eight.

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Tested & True ~ test & tag  Lonsdale We know how to test sensitive electrical equipment like that of a Surge Power Board and other Surge protected equipment…We specifically use the STC ProLogger 2 it can perform RCD testing, Earth Leakage Detection and Run Testing all in one neat piece of equipment. On top this all our Technicians are Trained to National Standard UEENEEP008 in test & tag operations by Intertag in Sydney NSW, all our Equipment is in good repair and up to date. Most of all we pride ourselves on our Knowledge of OH&S legislation and the current Australian Standards ensuring that you get Quality Service at a competitive price.

Article By Peter Hill… Tested & True ~ test & tag, Lonsdale, South Australia, Contact 0407605568 January 2016 www.testedandtrue.com.au

Uninterruptable Power Supplies (UPS) Buying Tips
Summers here! … and Summer In Australia means Power Shortages and often leading to Blackouts (no power) or brownouts (low power ie low voltage and current) sometimes these are planned by the Electricity Suppliers to share the extra load during Hot Days… sometimes they occur unplanned because of overloaded or failed equipment either way Your expensive computer or in the case of a business your Server and the data in it could be rendered useless. UPS is the easiest way to protect your hardware and data. For a better and more thorough protection, you need a UPS. It isn’t intended to power you through a blackout though. For that, you would need a generator. Rather, a UPS will let you save your work and power down safely.
A UPS is designed to protect your computer you against such power fluctuations and more importantly, power up your computer even when there is no electricity. Here are a few tips that should help you make a more informed UPS purchasing decision.
Power Outlets
When purchasing a UPS, make sure the power rating is right for your equipment. If you buy one that is rated too low, you might run out of juice before you can power down. Most UPS devices are designed to provide 10 minutes of power. When selecting a UPS, you need to look at the VA rating — or amps multiplied by voltage (240v). The amp rating should be listed on your computer. Add up the VA ratings of everything you will connect to the UPS, then purchase a UPS with a VA rating 20-25% higher. If you are a home PC user, look for a UPS with a 1000-1400 VA rating.
Choose a good length Of Backup time
Don’t expect your UPS to keep your PC running all day. Most UPSes are engineered to provide you a backup time of around 10 to 20 minutes. What they essentially do is save your work when there is a power outage and avoid an abrupt shutdown that could mess up your computer settings. Choose the UPS that meets your backup time demands.
Other features of a UPS
When you are buying a UPS, ask the vendor about more features than just power. This will help you in finding the UPS which has that one additional option that will help you in your buying decision. Of course, the best feature is Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR) which isolates your PC from voltage fluctuations that lead to computer disturbances. A UPS with AVR conditions the incoming power before being fed to the PC’s Switch Mode Power Supply (SMPS). Most UPSes also automatically initiate a scheduled shutdown sequence when the power is lost, after saving your work, to prevent damage to the computer hardware.
Warranty
Obtain a guarantee before buying a UPS. Undue delays in replacements can affect business. Some vendors offer onsite warranties, where they replace the batteries at your place. If you are planning to use the UPS at work, go for a longer warranty term.
Battery replacement
The general rule is three years. But if you are experiencing low backup times more frequently, you could get the battery replaced immediately if it’s under warranty. If you are facing no problems, expect your battery to work for three years. Its advisable to buy replacement battery cartridges while you are buying the UPS. These cartridges will breathe new life into UPS systems suffering from expired or weak internal batteries.
Power up
Contrary to the myth, its perfectly fine to leave the main switch on even when you are no longer working and the computer is shut down. However, its best to pair your UPS with a voltage stabilizer for additional safety.
Software reporting
The software provided with the UPS is not always accurate with its reports. So don’t listen to it when it says your battery needs to be replaced even though you’ve never experienced low backup times. These faulty reports shouldn’t worry you because they may be trying to get you to purchase the company’s product more frequently (a common problem with print cartridges.) The software is good at its essential function of shutting down the PC properly and saving your work, but you may be the best option to determine whether its time to change the battery.
Tips and tricks
Do not overload the UPS by, for example, connecting external devices like the printer, scanner and the fax machine. NEVER plug a printer into the battery backup system. To optimize the charge of your batteries, you should discharge them completely at least once a month. And lastly, make sure the UPS is properly grounded all the time to prevent any electrical disasters.
Shop around compare specifications against Price..
Standby UPSs are available in the range of 300VA to 500VA for office use, and up to 2KVA to 3KVA for workstations and large servers. Inexpensive standby UPSs ranging in price from $50 to $125 are used by millions of users of personal computers all over the world. Some of them include brands like Belkin, American Power Conversion (APC), Cyber Power, Data Shield, EFI, NCR, SAFE, Pacific Power, Sola and UP Sonic.
Conclusion
Basically , there are two kinds of UPS systems. The Standby Power System (SPS) and Online UPS System. If you are a home user, go for the relatively cheaper SPS. The price of an online UPS is three to five times that of a standby UPS with the same power rating. For servers, buy an online UPS (online means outgoing power is always drawn from the battery). Expect to pay between $150 and $1,000 for an online UPS. The higher the VA rating, the more you’ll pay. You might also want to consider buying one with advanced-battery features. These features include intelligent-battery management, battery-replacement indicator, and hot-swappable user-replaceable batteries.
Remember
An UPS isn’t intended to power you through a blackout.. For that, you would need a generator. However an UPS is a cost effective way to let you save your work and power down safely.
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Of course the best way is to ensure that your computer and UPS system is safe and working well is to give us a call.

Tested & True ~ test & tag Adelaide uses the very latest in Portable Appliance Testing…The STC Pro-Logger 2 it can perform static testing class 1,2 & M ,RCD testing, Earth Leakage Detection, 3 phase run testing and logs results as you test. all in one neat piece of equipment. On top this all our Technicians are Trained to National Standard UEENEEP008 in test & tag operations, all our Equipment is in good repair and in Calibration. Most of all we pride ourselves on our Knowledge of OH&S legislation and the current Australian Standards ensuring that you get Quality Service at a competitive price.
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Peter Hill Manager , Tested & True ~ test & tag Adelaide Jan 2018

National Coverage through the Safety Services Network (SA State Member)

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