Apollo 600 testers help company build PAT business

Investment in the latest PAT technology has enabled a leading electrical safety testing company to build long lasting relationships with key customers and respond to their changing workplace safety needs.

The Hampshire-based Intersafe provides essential portable appliance and periodic electrical testing services, as well as thermal imaging, for clients involved in a wide range of business activities.

As part of a commitment to working with the latest technology available, Intersafe recently invested in new Apollo 600 testers for use among its 50 strong team of appliance test engineers.

The lightweight Apollo 600 includes all of the electrical safety tests required by the IET Code of Practice including, earth continuity, insulation resistance at 250V or 500V, protective conductor current, touch current, IEC lead polarity and RCD trip time.

An important factor in the company’s choice of the new tester is the inclusion of an integrated digital camera for the visual inspection of appliances and an expanded internal memory that means all test results can be recorded automatically for downloading to results databases.

A feature of the success and growth of the Intersafe business has been its ability to build longstanding relationships with clients large and small and to develop bespoke testing schedules that accurately meet their needs.

Adrian Pendle, director of Intersafe, said: “Portable appliance testing is an increasingly important part of our electrical testing business and we believe we’ve succeeded because of the attention to detail we bring to all jobs.

“Our test engineers are all fully qualified and we work closely with clients to agree risk assessments and the inspection and testing required before carrying out any work.

“Using the most up-to-date PAT technology available is central to this approach and ensures that the work is done efficiently and thoroughly, with the minimum of disruption to a client’s workplace.

“It also means that we can supply all the necessary reports and test certificates at the touch of a button as part of a fully integrated and streamlined testing service.”

Intersafe’s team of test engineers carry out portable appliance testing for a range of clients including educational establishments, supermarkets, FM companies, hotels, industrial sites and other workplaces.

The field service team carries out electrical inspection and testing at client premises, downloading test results from the tester for transmission to head office where all results are retained in PATGuard software-enabled records.

This enables the company to manage test record databases for clients, providing PDF test reports as part of an asset management approach used in the tracking of electrical items and the scheduling of future test programmes.

Intersafe engineers also use the onboard camera in the Apollo 600 to record test failures and this allows the company to create an audit trail for potentially dangerous items that are removed from service.

In addition, to maximise the capabilities of the Apollo 600 on client premises, the company is also trialling the use of the tester to inspect and record the condition of other workplace safety features, including emergency lighting systems.

The Apollo 600 forms part of a comprehensive range of portable appliance test instrumentation, software and accessories developed by Seaward to ensure the safety of electrical equipment used in the workplace.

More details at www.seaward.co.uk and at www.intersafe.co.uk.