Barcodes and PAT Testing

The process of testing electrical equipment is often referred to as Portable Appliance Testing (PAT), although the process is officially recognized as In-service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment. PAT methodology consists of a variety of tests, due to the range of types of electrical devices that are found in workplaces and other environments. The system of testing electrical equipment for safety has evolved from the use of a simple placard to more advanced technologies, including the use of barcodes.

The essentials of electrical equipment testing include an examination of the internal and external circuitry as well as an assessment of the environment in which the equipment will be used. The testing criteria will depend on the frequency of usage and the potential for hazards to employees and others who may be in the proximity of the electrical device. Variations in the level of sophistication relative to wiring systems has resulted in different test procedures, yet the results of such tests must always be displayed and readily visible.

The function of displaying the safety status of electrical devices includes various factors. The current status of a device is included in the information that is displayed on a test label, as is the testing entity’s contact information. Additionally, the date of the most recent test as well as the next scheduled test date will be included. All of this information is archived so as to provide a record of the safe operation of the device as well as any repairs or improvements that were required.

The history of an electrical device may be archived in the form of a log book or maintenance journal. It may also be stored in a database using barcodes. This technological advance has provided a more extensive means of recording relative information about not only the safety history of a device but its manufacturer identification codes, or product codes. This electronic system of data storage can be an advantage where a test label with barcodes may be more practical than a hand-written or typed test label.

Testing labels that use barcodes for identification and record archiving often include printed information in those cases where both forms of display are readily accessible for inspection. The option to access barcodes addresses the inclusion of newer code-scanners that are being employed. This system of recording test results and other information allows for completion of certain tasks during an inspection in a shorter amount of time, as well as a more reliable means of storing such information, in most cases.

Barcodes are most practical in those situations in which test labels may only be affixed in areas that inhibit accessibility. The electrical device can still be tested, yet may not provide an area sufficient to display the test label in such a way that the label is readily visible. The visibility of a test label is critical in order that the status of a machine or instrument can be assessed without searching for information. This is especially critical in environments where risk factors are considered to be high, as in certain manufacturing processes.